The Camargue flora

Camargue salt

Salt production in Aigues-Mortes dates back to Antiquity and now covers around 8,000 hectares of saltworks. Thanks to the circulation of seawater and the action of the sun and wind, the water gradually evaporates, allowing the salt to crystallize through a natural process.

The harvested salt is mainly used for food and comes in different forms : salt, coarse salt and the famous fleur de sel, a fine layer of crystals that forms on the surface of the water and is carefully harvested using ancestral know-how.

The saltworks also offer a spectacular landscape, where the water can take on pink or red hues due to the microalgae Dunaliella salina and small shrimp, which are notably a food source for pink flamingos.

These environments are home to flora adapted to high salt concentrations, known as halophilic flora, as well as a wide variety of animal species. The saltworks are therefore a remarkable example of coexistence between human activity, landscape and biodiversity.

The sagne

The sagne, also known as Sagno, is an iconic reed of the Camargue. It grows abundantly in areas known as Sagniero, particularly around the Étang de Vaccarès and near the Tour Carbonnière, a remarkable feature of the Camargue landscape.

It is harvested in December, when the stems have dried. The sagnié, the person who harvests it, then cuts the reeds and ties them into bundles called manoun. These bundles have been used for centuries in traditional construction : roofs of gardian huts, shelters for horses (laupio), fences and various agricultural structures.

Today, reed beds are home to a wide variety of birds and play an essential role in the functioning of wetlands. Sagne therefore represents both a natural and cultural heritage of the Camargue.

The sea lavender

Known as the gardians’ flower, sea lavender is a typical plant of the sansouires, the salt plains characteristic of the Camargue. In summer, it produces its violet flowers, adding a touch of colour to the landscapes.

Particularly well adapted to salty soils, it can withstand difficult conditions thanks to its ability to accumulate and tolerate salt. Its stem is sometimes covered with a fine white layer of salt.

It also contributes to the richness of saline natural environments and provides a habitat for many small insects, particularly during flowering.

Traditionally used in dried bouquets, sea lavender is also part of the cultural identity of the territory. Its presence reflects the ability of Camargue flora to adapt to the particular conditions of these environments.

THE Glasswort

Glasswort is an iconic plant of the Camargue’s saline environments. It grows in sansouires and along lagoons, on soils where few plants can survive. Its fleshy stems allow it to store water and withstand high concentrations of salt.

Green in spring, it gradually takes on red and orange hues in autumn, adding colour to the Camargue landscapes. Adapted to extreme conditions, this plant contributes to the richness and diversity of the halophilic flora characteristic of the territory.

Some glasswort species are also used in cooking, particularly as a condiment, thanks to their naturally salty flavour.

THE Camargue rice

Rice farming was developed in the Camargue to help desalt the land and make the soil suitable for cultivation. After several periods of development and decline, it now plays an important role in the Camargue’s agricultural landscape.

Rice fields require careful water management and, depending on the season, provide a habitat for many animal and plant species. They therefore contribute to the diversity of habitats in the Camargue and reflect the close relationship between agriculture and the environment.

Different varieties are grown, including white rice, red rice and black rice, each with its own characteristics and culinary uses. Protected by a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) since 2000, Camargue rice is now one of the territory’s emblematic products.

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