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From Arles, take the D570 towards Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, then the D36 towards Salin de Giraud. 2.5 km further on, turn right onto the D36B towards Gageron and Villeuneuve. Cross the D37 and continue on the D36B. Pass a road on the left towards Le Sambuc and, further on, the D36C on the left towards Salin de Giraud. Continue towards Fangassier until you reach the end of the road. Park in the car parks at the end of the road.
(S/E) Take the track that continues from the road, heading south-west. N.B.: Vehicles are permitted on the track; it is recommended that you walk at the side.
Where the track bends, there is a first birdwatching point, and a few parking spaces are available. Continue due south to the junction at the Fangassier observatory (several parking areas are available here too).
(1) Turn right onto the Digue à la Mer towards the Gacholle Lighthouse for almost 3 kilometres, running alongside the Étang de Galabert.
(2) When you reach the junction, ignore the track on the left. The road ends here and there is a small car park.
N.B. From here, you are entering a protected natural area: the Camargue National Nature Reserve. Please respect the rules (green dots on the map).
Carry on straight ahead, cross the lock and head for the Gacholle Lighthouse. Continue straight on (westwards) towards Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer for about 2 kilometres.
(3) At the junction, take the path on the left leading towards the beach. You will often see tyre tracks leading down to the sea; these belong to authorised vehicles (Camargue Reserve staff managing the area, security or surveillance vehicles – as this is a DFCI firebreak – and telliniers carrying out their professional duties).
You can follow these tracks for a while to make the walk easier, or turn directly left towards the seashore.
(4) Turn left and walk along the beach for about 4 kilometres. Pass the first row of stakes and continue to the next one.
N.B. You are now leaving the Camargue National Nature Reserve.
(5) Turn left along this row of double stakes and follow it to the top of the beach. At the boundary between the sand and the vegetation, turn left for a few metres to rejoin a path heading due north.
Pass between two concrete walls – the purpose of which is somewhat unclear – and carry on straight ahead. Ignore the next two paths on the right and continue to the next junction.
(6) Turn right onto the unkempt path that runs alongside the Étang de Galabert. Cross an old sluice gate, the passage over which is via old wooden planks weathered by the elements, and continue for almost 4 kilometres. Pass a further sluice gate, then reach another junction. Turn left onto the Digue des Toscans until you reach the next junction.
(7) Turn left onto the ‘Digue à la Mer’ between Galabert Pond and Fangassier Pond.
(1) Carry on straight ahead to the car park (S/E).
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