Camargue and Roman Provence
Flamingos and white horses, the walled town of Aigues-Mortes, Nîmes’ arena and the Pont du Gard.
- Distance
- 130 km (81 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 48 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 6
- Countries
- France
- Updated
- August 3, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 130 km (81 mi) with 6 stops, from Arles to Pont du Gard. About 1 h 48 min of driving in total.
More road trips in France · More road trips from Avignon
Route description
Arles, where Van Gogh painted, has a Roman arena and theatre in its old centre. From here the D570 runs south into the Camargue, the flat delta of the Rhône, with lagoons, rice fields and grazing land for white horses and black bulls.
The wetlands around the Étang de Vaccarès are home to pink flamingos; an ornithological park near Pont de Gau gives close views. Bring binoculars and insect repellent, as mosquitoes can be fierce in summer. The D570 ends at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, a seaside town whose fortified church rises above the white houses; overnight parking by the beaches is restricted.
Head west to Aigues-Mortes, a town enclosed by complete medieval walls and surrounded by salt pans that turn pink in summer. Then drive north to Nîmes, with its Roman arena, the Maison Carrée temple and the Jardins de la Fontaine.
The last stop is the Pont du Gard, a three-tier Roman aqueduct bridge over the Gardon river; there is a charge for parking, and you can swim in the river below it in summer. Spring and autumn are the best seasons, with fewer mosquitoes and milder temperatures.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Arles
France - 229 km
Camargue wetlands
NatureSaintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, FranceLagoons with pink flamingos, white horses and black bulls in the Rhône delta. Bring binoculars and repellent.
- 38 km
Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
France - 429 km
Aigues-Mortes
France - 541 km
Nîmes
France - 623 km
Pont du Gard
HistoryVers-Pont-du-Gard, FranceA three-tier Roman aqueduct bridge over the Gardon river. You can swim below it in summer.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Arles → Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer · 37 km · 0 h 31 minOn the way: Camargue wetlands.Overnight nearby, for example: La Brise de Camargue (< 1 km); Le Clos du Rhône (2 km).
- Day 2: Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer → Nîmes · 70 km · 0 h 58 minOn the way: Aigues-Mortes.Overnight nearby, for example: Aire de Bellegarde (16 km); Camping BelleRive (19 km).
- Day 3: Nîmes → Pont du Gard · 23 km · 0 h 19 minOvernight nearby, for example: La Sousta (< 1 km); Camping BelleRive (9 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June–August and November. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- France: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autoroutes; the limit drops to 110 km/h in rain. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Camargue and Roman Provence?
3-day road trip of about 130 km (81 mi) with 6 stops, from Arles to Pont du Gard. About 1 h 48 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Camargue and Roman Provence?
We suggest 3 days: about 1 h 48 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Camargue and Roman Provence start and end?
It starts in Arles and ends in Pont du Gard.
Which countries does Camargue and Roman Provence pass through?
France.
Where can you camp along Camargue and Roman Provence?
OpenStreetMap lists 92 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Les Manades, Camping Huttopia and Aire de Bellegarde.
When is the best time for Camargue and Roman Provence?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
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