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Message: <blockquote data-quote="jforgham" data-source="post: 3384683" data-attributes="member: 10769">I would recommend staying in Saintes Maries de la Mer as places are close by, ie within 2 mile walking distance. If you are just after a basic bed and breakfast accomodation then the cheapest I have found in Stes Maries is Les Vague Hotel. Clean room, shared shower and a good restaurant on the ground floor. Only 30 euros per night in high summer.From here, the restaurants of the town are easy, a bus ride will take you to Pont Du Gau, about 15 minutes up the road towards Arles. 7 Euro gets you into the Parc Ornithologique and once passed the injured birds in cages there are plenty of paths around a large scrape with several well placed hides. Good waders etc. Well worth a visit. On the East of Etang de Vaccares is Le Capeliere reserve. 3 Euros entry but again, well woth it. Many hides overlooking several habitats including heath and reedbed. Need a car to get here in which case take the Arles road out of town and turn right at Albaron opposite petrol station/bar/tabac. After a few miles there is a look out point which is worth a stop. Also, as you drive over a bridge with the old bridge adjacent do stop and check for nesting beeaters and much in the fields. At Villeneuve there is a bar. Turn right down here and La Capeliere is about 4 miles down. Plenty of vantage points along this road to scope the lake and fields the other side of the road.A walk along Le Digue from the town (basically walk the pavement along the beach) will get you good birds quickly :waders, terns, hoopoes etc as there are plenty of small pools here. Kentish plover on the beach and mudflats.I visit the area once a year so do PM me for further details if required. If you're hiring a car it's easy but not too difficult if you are using buses and trains. Plenty of other good sites I can mention.Report from a trip last year can be seen here: <a href="http://littlehadhambirding.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/few-days-in-camargue-010915-050915.html" target="_blank">http://littlehadhambirding.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/few-days-in-camargue-010915-050915.html</a>Cheers,Jono</blockquote>

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