The Camargue is unlike any other landscape in southern France. Formed by the shifting mouths of the Rhône, it is a vast, low-lying delta of lagoons, reedbeds, salt flats, grazing marshes and shallow seas. Here, water defines everything — its movement, its salinity and its seasonal abundance shaping one of Europe’s most important wildlife strongholds.

This is a landscape that never stands still. Wind, water and light are always in motion, and with them the wildlife that depends on this fragile balance.

Freshwater from the Rhône collides with Mediterranean saltwater to create a complex gradient of habitats. Some areas flood in winter, others dry and crack in summer. Salinity varies dramatically over short distances, allowing a remarkable range of species to coexist.

This constant flux is precisely what makes the Camargue so productive. Nutrients carried by the river feed plankton and invertebrates, which in turn support vast numbers of fish, birds and larger predators. Few places in Europe still function on this scale.

The Camargue is internationally renowned for its birdlife and remains one of the most important wetlands on the continent. Flamingos are the most iconic residents, breeding here in internationally significant numbers, but they are just one part of a far richer story.

Herons, egrets, spoonbills and ibis feed in the lagoons and marshes. Ducks and geese arrive in winter in huge numbers, while spring and autumn migrations bring an ever-changing cast of waders, terns and raptors. Marsh harriers quarter the reedbeds, ospreys pass through on migration and large flocks of swallows and martins skim the water in summer.

Even seasoned observers will find something new with each visit.

Beneath the surface, the Camargue is driven by invertebrates — insects, crustaceans and molluscs that form the base of the food web. Dragonflies patrol canals, mosquitoes and midges feed fish and birds and saline pools support specialised species adapted to extreme conditions.

Fish move freely between river, lagoon and sea, while amphibians persist in freshwater pockets and seasonal wetlands. Mammals are more elusive but include species well adapted to open, watery terrain, alongside bats that exploit the abundance of insect life.

Vegetation in the Camargue reflects the harshness of the environment. Salt-tolerant plants dominate the lagoons and salinas, while reedbeds, tamarisk and wet grasslands occupy fresher areas. In drier zones, steppe-like vegetation and coastal scrub take over, creating stark but beautiful contrasts across the landscape.

These plant communities stabilise sediments, filter water and provide shelter and nesting material — quiet engineers of the ecosystem.

Human presence here is ancient and inseparable from the ecology. Extensive cattle grazing, rice cultivation and salt production have all played a role in shaping today’s habitats. When managed carefully, these activities help maintain open wetlands that many species depend on.

The Camargue horse and bull are cultural symbols, but also part of a working landscape where traditional practices still influence biodiversity outcomes. These iconic animal breeds along with Flamingoes create the rich tricolour the delta is famous for:

The openness of the Camargue makes wildlife easy to see — and easy to disturb. Keeping distance from nesting birds, staying on tracks and respecting seasonal access restrictions are essential. Wind, heat and insects are part of the experience; embracing them means sharing the landscape on its own terms.

Slow observation is rewarded here. The longer you stay still, the more the Camargue reveals itself.

As wetlands disappear worldwide, the Camargue stands as a reminder of what functioning deltas can still support. It is not a wilderness untouched by people, but a living system where water, wildlife and human activity remain tightly interwoven.

Protecting it is not just about preserving species lists, but about safeguarding a dynamic landscape that continues to feed, shelter and inspire life on a continental scale.