Piémanson beach

At the Mouth of the Rhône

Stretching for 7 kilometers, its eastern end marks the mouth of the Rhône. There, the river pours into the sea, mingling its fresh waters with the salty expanse of the Mediterranean, feeding a rare biodiversity. The river carries mud and silt that settle where they meet the denser saltwater. Millions of years of this slow labor have shaped the vast delta of the Camargue.

A Wild Beach

Untouched by constructions or concessions, this beach attracts lovers of nature and silence. A few steps are enough to leave civilization behind and enter a world of sand and sea, bathed in light and shaped by the wind. Driftwood, polished by the tides, dots the shoreline — gifts from the Rhône to the sea.

A rich and unique ecosystem, characteristic of the Camargue, has established itself in this singular natural environment: flamingos, swans, migratory birds. The beach is popular with swimmers, naturists, and enthusiasts of activities such as kitesurfing and leisurely walks.

A Place of Freedom

The history of Piémanson is marked by its role as a haven of freedom. In the 19th century, the salt workers of Salin-de-Giraud would come here to unwind after a day of hard labor. In the 1970s, it became a legendary spot for wild camping, drawing thousands of visitors from across Europe every summer — caravans and tents scattered along the shore, as people came to savour a few days or weeks of unrestrained liberty.

This summer "ephemeral village" embodied conviviality and independence, complete with its rituals of apéritifs and pétanque. But the uncontrolled influx eventually weakened the ecosystem, prompting authorities to ban wild camping in 2016 in order to protect the site. Today, the beach remains accessible but regulated, with a designated parking area and set opening hours.

The Salt Marshes

Since Antiquity, humans have shaped the nearby lagoons to extract salt — the white gold of the Camargue. The village of Salin-de-Giraud was built in the late 19th century by two major companies, the Henry Merle Company and Solvay, to house the salt workers. Today, the Compagnie des Salins du Midi still manages these salt fields, which cover approximately 11,000 hectares. Most of the harvested salt is used for road de-icing, as well as for industrial and food applications.

Salin-de-Giraud, gateway to the salt flats

Before reaching Piémanson, the road crosses Salin-de-Giraud, a singular village in eastern Camargue. Born in the 19th century with salt production and chemical industry, it has a character quite unlike traditional Provençal villages: straight streets, workers' houses, districts linked to the former salt companies and wide white horizons of salt flats.

This stop gives another reading of the landscape. Here, the Camargue also bears the mark of salt work, dykes, canals and the people who shaped the delta. Continuing toward the beach, the salt marshes, lagoons and birds on the horizon already announce the open character of Piémanson.

Access via the Barcarin ferry

From Marseille, Martigues or the Côte Bleue, the Barcarin ferry makes it possible to reach Salin-de-Giraud without driving back up to Arles. This crossing of the Grand Rhône links Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône to Salin-de-Giraud and gives the approach to Piémanson a real feeling of passage, a gradual entry into another landscape.

From Salin-de-Giraud, it is only a few more kilometers to the beach, along a road bordered by salt flats and lagoons. The site is isolated and very exposed to sun, wind and changing weather: bring water, sun protection and check access conditions before leaving.

With its singular landscapes and unspoiled environment, Piémanson offers a revitalizing escape into the heart of nature.