A stay in the Petite Camargue? Discover all there is to see and do in Aigues-Mortes, a small town in the Gard region with southern charm.
Built in the Middle Ages, the ramparts are a jewel to behold for a day or a weekend. You won’t be able to resist discovering the tumultuous history of Aigues-Mortes for long.
It’s true that at every crossroads, architectural and artistic details try to pique your curiosity. But don’t let the city itself hold you back! On the other side of the ramparts, the salt marshes invite you in for new adventures.
History buffs and nature lovers alike, step through the imposing gates to visit Aigues-Mortes.
1. Tour the ramparts
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Ruslan Kalnitsky
Once you’ve arrived at the foot of the city, you’re wondering what to do in Aigues-Mortes? Start with the ramparts. Perfect for a first visit! The fortified enclosure was built at the instigation of Saint Louis.
Since the 13th century, it has protected the town’s inhabitants from attackers. In all, there are over 1.6 kilometers of ramparts, punctuated by some twenty towers. Including the Tour de Constance. To get the gist of it, you can opt for different types of visit: self-guided, guided, with audioguide or in the form of a lecture. From up there, a superb view of the pink salt flats unfolds.
2. Explore the Constance Tower
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Picturereflex
Next on the list of things to do in Aigues-Mortes is a stop at the Tour de Constance. This massive keep, formerly the King’s Tower, stands 30 to 40 m high. Although slightly detached from the ramparts, it remains connected by a small bridge.
Enter and explore the scene of a tragic episode in French history. Within its walls, the tower held many Huguenots, hunted down after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1683. The most famous is undoubtedly Marie Durand, imprisoned for 38 years. Long before, Templars were also imprisoned here.
To round off your visit, head for the summit, where the terrace invites you to admire the Camargue landscape.
3. Stroll through Place Saint-Louis
Photo credit: Shutterstock – jeafish Ping
After a walk on the heights of the enclosure, you thought you’d seen the whole city? In a way, yes. But there’s so much more to do in Aigues-Mortes! Stroll through the narrow streets to Place Saint-Louis, surrounded by cafés and restaurants.
From their shaded terraces, you’ll have plenty of time to contemplate the square flanked by the Capucins chapel. The square is also home to the town hall, tourist office and Notre-Dame des Sablons church. At its center is the statue of Saint Louis. This sculpture by Pradier pays homage to the king, creator of the city’s ramparts.
4. Visit art galleries
Photo credit: Instagram – cecile_chiorino_galerie
A visit to Aigues-Mortes also means letting yourself be carried away by your sensibility. You can marvel at the dozens of galleries showcasing artists and craftsmen. In the heart of the town or on the water’s edge, these spots reveal unique works of art.
Paintings, sculptures, lithographs, collages and photographs, for example, are all inspired by the world. Of course, we’re particularly fond of Camargue talent! They celebrate the region, an inexhaustible source of inspiration. These short stops add a poetic touch, ideal for a more intimate encounter with Aigues-Mortes.
5. Discover Notre-Dame-des-Sablons church
Photo credit: Shutterstock – goumi
If you don’t know what to do in Aigues-Mortes, you should know that the town boasts a number of unmissable monuments. The church of Notre-Dame-des-Sablons is a historic monument.
Since its construction in the middle of the 12th century, history has not been kind to it. The Protestants devastated the church in 1575. Its steeple collapsed in 1634. Then the revolutionaries requisitioned it and turned it into a salt warehouse.
In the 19th century, Notre-Dame-des-Sablons was finally restored to its original function. However, the ostentatious decoration undertaken distorted the soul of the church. In the 1960s, a more austere style was adopted. A touch of fantasy was added in 1991 with contemporary stained-glass windows by Claude Viallat and Bernard Dhonneur.
6. Taste gourmet specialties
Photo credit: Flickr – GGzeOuf
It’s almost unthinkable to visit Aigues-Mortes without sampling the local produce. But where to start? The gardiane de taureau, of course! Bull meat is cooked with red wine and served with Camargue rice.
As an aperitif, treat yourself to an IGP Sable-de-Camargue wine. The vines grow in the sand, giving the wines their distinctive aromas. Available in rosé, gris and gris de gris. To finish on a high note, the flagship specialty is fougasse d’Aigues-Mortes. This cousin of the brioche is soft, golden and flavored with orange blossom. Traditionally, it is one of the thirteen Christmas desserts.
7. Visit the chapel of the Pénitents Gris brotherhood
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Anibal Trejo
In addition to the ramparts, Aigues-Mortes has a lot to offer. Not far from Place Saint-Louis, you’ll come face-to-face with the Chapelle des Pénitents Gris.
The chapel was built on the foundations of a former convent in the second half of the 14th century. It is therefore one of the oldest chapels in the Gard region. Ravaged during the Wars of Religion, it was rebuilt around 1600, before also suffering the impact of the French Revolution. Certain elements, such as the altarpiece by Jean Sabatier and the high altar, are well worth a visit.
8. Build the chapel of the Pénitents Blancs brotherhood
Photo credit: Wikipedia – Daniel Villafruela
Just a few streets away, the Pénitents Blancs chapel stands in your way. Disagreements between the Pénitents Gris gave rise to the Pénitents Blancs. As you’ll notice, the chapel, built in 1668, is more sumptuous than its rival, with its baroque allure.
But both met the same fate. This new headquarters of the Sans Culottes narrowly escaped looting and total degradation. After the French Revolution, it was acquired by the State and restored to its former glory. The centerpiece of the chapel is Xavier Sigalon’s painting of Pentecost. Behold it behind the altar.
9. Explore the salt flats
Photo credit: Shutterstock – ricochet64
After admiring the historic sites, what else is there to do in Aigues-Mortes? As you can see from the ramparts, the salt marshes are a breathtaking sight.
Whether by train, mountain bike, car or on foot, enjoy a trip through the marshes and salt mountains. The pinkish hues of the ponds are sure to look great in your photos! These hues are caused by microscopic algae.
In fine weather, you’ll also have the chance to spot pink flamingos, the stars of the salt marshes. All in all, there are 200 species of birds living here or passing through on migration.
The white gold of salt has been harvested in the region since Roman times. If you’d like to learn more about salt harvesting and the salt-maker’s trade, the Salt Museum is a must-see.
10. Take a cruise
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Lenush
Conclude your stay with a lovely excursion on the water. A visit to Aigues-Mortes and the surrounding area is just as enjoyable by boat. Depart from the port and cruise the canals and ponds. Most tours include a stopover at a bullfighting camp. On average, a tour lasts two hours.
In addition, for a completely autonomous option, no-license boats are also available for hire.
How do I get to Aigues-Mortes?
Is a visit to Aigues-Mortes on the agenda for your next vacation? Follow us to find out how to reach your destination.
By car
From Nîmes (44 km away), first take theA9, then the D979. From Montpellier (34 km), first take the D66, then the D62. There are a number of parking lots around the town, most of them chargeable. Disabled parking is also available within the city limits.
By plane
Here’s how to get to the Camargue town:
- Landing at Nîmes Alès Camargue Cévennes airport: reach the train and bus stations by cab or bus (lines 41 and 219).
- Landing atMontpellier-Méditerranée airport: take a cab or bus (line 620) to the bus station, then take the streetcar.
In both cases, it’s a good idea to use a flight comparator like Skyscanner to find the best flight at the best price.
By bus
From the Nîmes bus station, board the C32 bus. It will take you to Aigues-Mortes station in 50 minutes.
From Montpellier’s Place de France station, take the L106 bus. It will take you to Tour de Constance in 1 hour.
By train
If you’re coming from Nîmes, you can also take the 45-minute TER train. Aigues-Mortes station is less than 10 minutes ‘ walk from the ramparts.
Finally, we advise against taking the train from Montpellier, as it passes through Nîmes.
Where to stay in Aigues-Mortes?
Gites, hotels, B&Bs, campsites, rentals… there’s no shortage of choice when it comes to sleeping in Aigues-Mortes. You’ll find accommodation both inside and outside the ramparts. Outside, accommodation is concentrated around the railway station and the Bourgidou district.
A night in an intramural Airbnb costs around €80. A night in an inner-city hotel costs around €120. Use our hotel comparator to find the best hotel deals among the many solutions on offer.
With all our tips, visiting Aigues-Mortes will be child’s play! Enjoy your visit!
Map of hotels and accommodation – Aigues-Mortes,fr