Camargue and Pyrenees
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Starting with the famous Camargue, with its pink flamingos, white horses and black fighting bulls, and finishing with the grandeur of the High Pyrenees, we visit some of France's very best areas for birds and wildlife in autumn.
The freshwater marshes of the Camargue and the surrounding meadows remain one of Europe's most exciting birdwatching areas. The array of herons is quite outstanding: Grey Herons and both Little and Cattle Egrets are common, and Great White Egret a recent colonist. Raptors are always present in the skies here - usually Marsh Harrier, together with Short-toed Eagle here and there, and Hobby chasing the abundance of dragonflies. Migrant Osprey are also passing through at this time. To the north of the area the limestone hills of the Alpilles with the spectacular hilltop fortress of Les Baux can produce a good variety of raptors, as well as rock-dwelling birds like Blue Rock Thrush, Alpine Swift and Crag Martin. Near to our hotel, the fabled Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard is spectacular in its own right, but has the added attraction to birdwatchers of its colonies of Crag Martin and Rock Sparrow. After four nights here we travel across the south of France to the High Pyrenees. Amidst some of Europe's most inspiring scenery can be found a selection of really choice mountain birds. Lammergeier patrol the cliff-faces effortlessly, along with Griffon Vulture and Golden Eagle, and both Red-billed and Alpine Chough. From our base we can choose to drive up many of the passes and to the magnificent Cirques, or corries. The most famous of these, at Gavarnie, is one of the great mountain sights of Europe and not to be missed, but there are many other less busy areas that are equally stunning. Some of the lower valleys can also be worth visiting for several species, but given fine weather our aim will be to visit the higher areas whenever possible. Accommodation Our base in the Camargue is the Hotel Robinson (2-star, Logis de France 3-cheminées award) in Beaucaire to the north of the area. The hotel has built an exceptional reputation for its Proven¨ale cuisine (and splendid picnic hampers). Rooms are en suite. While most singles have showers, singles with a bath are available for £40 supp. In the Pyrenees, we stay at a fine hotel in Luz St Sauveur (3-stars, Logis de France 3-cheminées) with all rooms en suite, in a quiet area just away from the busy part of the town. Numbers: Max. 12 clients |
© Mike Read
Mountains near Luz St Saveur
Prices:
The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of 8 nights' accommodation as detailed above, meals, incidental tips, return scheduled flight London-Montpellier (or Marseille)/Toulouse-London*, admissions, and leadership.
The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks (but please note that wine is included with meals) and other personal expenses. *For an ex-flight cost (ex-Montpellier/Toulouse) please deduct £135 from the tour cost. **Single rooms at the Robinson generally have shower and WC, although single rooms with bath are available for £45 per person supplement. Principal Leader: Mike Read 
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