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Salin de Giraud

The village of Salin-de-Giraud, in the south-east of the Camargue delta, is located on the right bank of the Rhône, 40 km from the town centre.

With the great wild beach of Piémanson, its seven kilometres of fine sand and the Gulf of Beauduc, Salin-de-Giraud offers the commune a highly sought-after seafront during the summer season. The beaches have become one of the most beautiful kitesurfing spots in the south of France, a timeless place that has been forgotten by geographical maps.

At the end of the 19th century, the village grew up near the mouth of the Rhône, with the establishment of two companies involved in salt production. In 1895, the Solvay company moved in, making it possible to manufacture soda ash, which was transported to the Marseille soap factories by boat via the Rhône and then the sea. From the viewpoint on the way to the beach, you can see the spectacular camelles de sel (salt pans), and the salt tables can be discovered just off the road.

The vast area of the salt marshes is of great ecological and landscape interest, and the development of a small number of invertebrate species provides birds with abundant food, enabling them to nest in a way that is unique in Europe, particularly pink flamingos.

A wide range of guided or guided tours are on offer during the season: guided walks with local storytellers, guided tours (on foot or on horseback) of the Domaine de la Palissade and the beach at Piémenson, visits to horse-riding herds: the choice of activities is vast!

If you’d like to be on your own, there are 3 walking and cycling routes to choose from: les corons du sud, la digue à la mer and les rives du Rhône. Enter the heart of the salt marsh on foot, by bike or by car (limited access for a fee), for a free ride and enjoy the beauty of the landscapes, the salt tables amidst typical Camargue wildlife.

When you arrive at Salin de Giraud, you’re in the middle of nowhere, but accommodation, restaurants and shops are all at your disposal.