Donna Bourdon just returned home from conducting two back to back workshops in the Camargue. Here is her trip report and her images:
Camargue Trip Report 2023
The Camargue region is located in the southern part of France between the Mediterranean Sea and the Rhone River delta. It was designated a “Wetlands of International Importance” in 1986. The vast area is most notable for the famous Camargue horses and the equally famous Camargue black bulls. Because the ponds within the marshlands have a high salinity content the area is one of the few locations in Europe that can support greater flamingos.
The Camargue horses and the greater flamingos were two of the main attractions for my two workshops.
Camargue horses are an ancient breed indigenous to these marshes and are considered semi-feral. While they are owned by local farmers they can roam freely over the marshes. The local cowboys, known as “gardians” expertly ride the horses to round up the black bulls, also indigenous to the Camargue.
A Camargue horse can only be registered as “purebred” if it is born in the Camargue region. As an additional condition, the foal must be born outside in the marshes. It cannot be foaled in a barn. While adult horses are all white, they are actually a gray horse. Like all grays, they are born black or brown, and the coat lightens with age until it is fully white.
Our whirlwind adventure began immediately upon landing in Marseille! We were picked up at the airport, driven to our first base near Sts Marie de la Mer, dropped off luggage, taken to a café for mussels, wine and other fine French culinary delights, returned to base for a short rest then whisked off again to our first evening shoot at the local bird park! The bird park is a very active rookery for little herons, cattle egrets, glossy ibis, black-headed gulls, avocets, stilts, grey herons and more. The greater flamingos were present in large numbers, often flying in over our heads and landing directly in front of us. Photographic opportunities abounded.
That night everyone had trouble sleeping due to the excitement and anticipation of our first encounter with the “white-maned” horses of the Camargue. We were like kids on Christmas Eve!
And the morning didn’t disappoint. Up at 5:45am for a quick cup of coffee then a short drive to the first marsh. Upon arrival we were greeted by a young stallion who was running back and forth, blowing, and snorting the whole way. The backlighting lit him up, turning his snorts and blows into golden puffs of fog. As we lined up along the shoreline of the marshy pond, a small herd of horses began splashing and galloping right at us, their reflections shimmering on the water. It was exhilarating. It was also fascinating to watch the horsemanship of the gardians as they herded to horses through the marshes, often with horses chest-deep in water. Throughout the week we were treated to multiple chances to photograph the herds of horses and even a herd of horses with several 3-month-old colts. There is nothing quite as thrilling as a herd of 20 horses galloping at full speed………right towards you!
Over the next few days, we photographed a herd of 10 horses galloping through the dust, looking much like ghosts emerging from a cloud, horses and riders rearing up, silhouetted against the morning light, horses running along the beach of the Mediterranean Sea, and horses emerging from the sea with the waves breaking in front of them. Just amazing.
In between shoots with the horses, we explored the ancient towns of Arles and Aigues-Mortes. Both retain monuments of Roman times. In the center of Arles is a Roman arena that dates back to the 1st Century and is still used for events such as bullfighting. Ironically, during our time there, the town was hosting a photographic exhibition.
When our time with the horses ended, we headed to the bridges and lavender fields of Provence……. Not to mention the food. Our breath was taken away by the beauty and the serenity of the Abbaye Notre Dame de Senanque. The lavender fields were in full bloom and were immaculately maintained. Not a weed in sight! There were no sounds except the buzzing of the bees that were working the blooms. It was such a beautiful and peaceful place. The monks sustain themselves through the sale of their lavender and the honey produced by their many bees. They even offer overnight stays for spiritual retreat and renewal.
From the Abbaye, we left for Avignon and a blue hour shoot at the Pont Saint-Benezet, aka Pont d’Avignon. The medieval bridge was built in 1158 and originally spanned the two forks of the Rhone River as it separated around the island. Before the Rhone was dammed it often flooded its banks and repeatedly destroyed portions of the bridge. Eventually the town decided not to rebuild. What remains is a tribute to its former self. It has four remaining arches, where once it boasted 23 that spanned the island and the two sections of river! It still remains an impressive sight, especially at night.
On our final day, we traveled deeper into Provence and photographed large expanses of lavender fields. The sights and smells were a delight. And a final night shoot at Pont du Garde, a 2000-year-old Roman aqueduct. On pretty nights in the summer, visitors are treated to a laser display of lights on the aqueduct. Brilliant! What a way to end these two magical workshops……. horses, bridges, laser shows, lavender, food and fun.
All images in this post are courtesy Donna Bourdon. Donna will be leading another trip to the Camargue region in 2025. Click HERE for more info.
