The Camargue flora

The Sagne (Reed Grass)

The sagne, also called sagno, is an emblematic reed of the Camargue. It grows abundantly in areas known as “Sagniero”, particularly around the Vaccarès Lagoon and near the Tour Carbonnière, a key landmark of the Camargue landscape.

Harvesting takes place in December, when the stems have dried. The sagnié — the reed harvester — cuts the reeds and bundles them into sheaves called manoun. For centuries, these sheaves have been used in traditional construction : roofs of gardian huts, shelters for horses (laupio), fencing, and various agricultural structures.

Today, reed beds provide habitat for a wide diversity of birds and play an essential role in regulating wetlands. The sagne therefore represents both a living heritage and a sustainable economic resource for local traditions, while also serving as a key element in the ecological balance of the Camargue.

Camargue Salt

Salt production in Aigues-Mortes dates back to antiquity and now covers about 8,000 hectares of salt marshes. The harvested salt is mainly used for food, with the famous fleur de sel carefully hand-harvested in early August using ancestral know-how.

The salt marshes also create a spectacular landscape, where water turns pink or red due to the micro-algae Dunaliella salina and small shrimp, which are part of the flamingos’ diet. This natural phenomenon creates unique panoramas where nature and human activity have coexisted for centuries.

Beyond their economic value, the salt marshes provide habitats for halophilic flora adapted to salty soils, and serve as a refuge for many bird species. Visiting the Aigues-Mortes salt marshes allows visitors to discover a fragile ecosystem, a living heritage, and an iconic Camargue landscape.

Camargue Rice

Rice cultivation began modestly in the 16th century, initially to desalinate the land and make the soil suitable for farming. Its development was long limited by the difficulty of providing the necessary fresh water. It was during World War II that rice cultivation experienced major growth, helping to compensate for food shortages and the end of colonial supply chains. Between 1964 and 1970, rice farming declined due to Italian competition and difficult climatic conditions.

Today, it covers 21,000 hectares, with direct sowing beginning in early May and mechanical harvesting taking place at the end of September. Camargue rice fields produce different varieties : traditional white rice, red rice, and black rice, each with its own flavour and culinary characteristics. These crops represent the link between agricultural tradition and respect for nature, where sowing and harvesting follow the natural cycle of the Camargue.

Sea Lavender (Saladelle)

Nicknamed the flower of the gardians, sea lavender (Statice limonium) is a typical plant of the sansouires, the salty plains characteristic of the Camargue. In summer, it carpets the marshes with a bright violet mantle, with its delicate blue flowers reaching maturity in August, creating beautiful contrasts with the surrounding wetlands and skies.

Rich in salt, it is not suitable for consumption by horses or bulls, and its stems are often covered with a thin white film of salty foam. A symbolic and lucky flower, it accompanies important moments in Camargue life : men wear it in their buttonholes, women pin it to their scarves, and it is often used to decorate homes as dried bouquets that can last for years.

Beyond its decorative role, sea lavender helps stabilise salty soils, limit erosion, and support biodiversity in marsh micro-ecosystems. Hardy and poetic, it is often called “the flower that never fades”, evoking Camargue summers and the changing light of the seasons.

Protecting flora and its habitats

Preserving the flora of the Camargue also means protecting the natural environments that host it. Marshes, rice fields, reed beds, and salt marshes are fragile ecosystems essential to the survival of many plant and animal species.

By respecting these spaces, following marked trails, and adopting responsible behaviours, everyone can help maintain this unique balance and ensure that the Camargue continues to provide a safe refuge for its emblematic flora for future generations.