La Gacholle lighthouse, between the ponds and the beach at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer

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A Camargue hike between ponds, the path from the dyke to the sea and the beach, in the heart of the Camargue nature reserve. The Gacholle lighthouse watches over you and the flamingos are never far away, especially at the end of winter. A magical place to love and respect.

Details

n°8640954
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.23 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 0 m
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Photos

The Gacholle Lighthouse
The beach
The lake
Along the dyke

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the lighthouse, located 1 km away.

(S/E) Take the path on the left to walk along the Étang du Tampan on the right and the Étang de Galabert on the left.

(1) Continue on the path furthest to the right.

Keep right at the small three-way junction and, at the next intersection, go straight ahead on the path towards the beach.

(3) Turn right. The lighthouse is on the right and a vast beach stretches out in front of you, all the way to Les Saintes.

(4) Turn right towards the Dune des Douanes. Walk about 500 metres across soft sand, which will sink your feet a little. In winter, there is a ford to cross with water up to your ankles before you reach the Dune des Douanes path, as the water from the ponds rises through capillary action.

(5) Follow the path straight ahead and join the junction with Chemin de la Digue à la Mer.

(6) Turn right between the ponds and salt marshes. You will reach the Gacholle lighthouse.

(7) Continue straight ahead to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 1.28 - alt. 1 m - Junction, on the right
  3. 2 : km 2.01 - alt. 1 m - Three-way junction, to the right
  4. 3 : km 2.63 - alt. 1 m - Beach, on the right
  5. 4 : km 6.18 - alt. 1 m - Turn right to cross the beach
  6. 5 : km 6.82 - alt. 1 m - Chemin de la dune des Douanes
  7. 6 : km 7.13 - alt. 2 m - Chemin de la Digue à la Mer
  8. 7 : km 9.1 - alt. 2 m - La Gacholle Lighthouse
  9. S/E : km 10.23 - alt. 1 m - Car park

Notes

There is a 4 km stretch of road before you reach the small car park.
Avoid on windy and hot days (no shade).
The path from the sea wall to the sea is mainly used by mountain bikes at weekends.
The passage between (4) and (5) can be tricky.

Worth a visit

Visit the lighthouse, where you will also find bird observatories (closed during Covid).
Swimming in the sea.
The village of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer is 13 km away on foot (or by bike) for the brave.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 18 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
BRUN Mireille
BRUN Mireille

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 06, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Lots of flamingos

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LIONEL13118
LIONEL13118

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you so much for sharing, it was amazing, we were blown away. We've lived in the area forever, but it's thanks to you that we discovered this little corner of paradise...
We left our old car at the start of the track to protect it from the vibrations, and in total we covered 18.5 km.

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jpvls
jpvls

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The track at the start is in such poor condition that we decided to stop at the first car park. But we had to
walk 3 km to start the route!

Otherwise, the Camargue is magnificent in all its splendour with its typical vegetation and numerous ponds populated by flamingos (among other species).

When you reach the immense beach, you feel like you're alone in the world, and this feeling stays with you until point 4
The track from the dyke to the sea is mainly used by cyclists.
The Gacholle lighthouse could do with a serious lick of paint or some other form of refurbishment!

Then we had to return to our starting point and walk the kilometre from the lighthouse to the barrier, plus the three kilometres
kilometres to the car park.

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Régis 83 et 05
Régis 83 et 05

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent

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mouchonnet
mouchonnet

Hello, you can indeed make the round trip by following only the path from the dyke to the sea, but when I created this hike, the idea was also to pass by this beautiful beach, which is a little out of season, along the sea... We did it during the flamingos' mating season and finished at the end of the afternoon, when we were the discreet guests of this place belonging to the flora and fauna of the Camargue...
But thank you for your feedback.

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NicoSeve
NicoSeve
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Absolute tranquillity, superb flora and fauna, but 3 or 4 km would have been enough for a complete overview of the landscapes...
The route was a bit disappointing in the end. The markings are quite difficult to find, especially after the beach to reach the marshes.
Be careful on windy days (especially on the beach) and watch out for mosquitoes!

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M. Olwen
M. Olwen

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

lots of wind, straight roads and monotonous scenery, which may disappoint some people. But if you love the Camargue, it's a must-do!

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Vincent de Saint Chamas
Vincent de Saint Chamas

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Please note that between 4 and 5, we crossed 40 cm of water over 500 m. We had brought rubber boots. A very beautiful hike, but not to be done after heavy rainfall.

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brice3
brice3

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

please note that in winter or during heavy rain, it is impossible to complete the circular route, or expect to get your feet wet between points 4 and 5.
Otherwise, it's a very beautiful walk

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chrissmeounes
chrissmeounes

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful walk through ponds and the sea.

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Claude 2 Nîmes
Claude 2 Nîmes

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, especially for the sea air and the solitude of the wide open spaces.
much of it can be done with your feet in the water, which is very pleasant and relaxing.
Be careful, however, of the weather conditions, either strong winds or intense heat, as there is no shade along this route.
There are no tourist attractions, except perhaps a visit to the lighthouse (depending on opening hours).
Don't forget about the mosquitoes in the late afternoon!

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randogibbes
randogibbes

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike in a typical Camargue landscape, slightly overcast at times, which meant it wasn't too hot, lots of birds and flamingos of course
The rain had disappeared since our reconnaissance two days earlier, and we walked in water that was a little cool but still pleasant
A few bikes and people at the Gacholle lighthouse
A very nice day for this hike as part of the Camargue Festival

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Dibesari
Dibesari

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike between ponds and the sea
A complete change of scenery, magnificent sea views and nature reserve, lots of flamingos still around at this time of year.
A very little-used trail, a few bicycles
Absolute calm, peaceful because the paths are flat
Just be prepared to get your feet wet between points 4 and 5
At this time of year, there is about 10-20cm of water and it is warm, but I'm not sure if it would be as pleasant in another season

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richebois
richebois

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great hike, very easy despite having to wade through water between points 4 and 5, which should be specified in the description.
We didn't meet a single other hiker on the trail.

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mamycoco
mamycoco

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike but difficult to find the trail between 4 and 5. You have to put your feet in the water at certain points. Otherwise, magnificent landscapes and lots of wildlife.

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