Horse riding in the Camargue is possible all year round, from a gentle walk for beginners to gallops on the beach for experienced riders. It immerses you in a setting unique in Europe, between marshes, lagoons, salt meadows and rice fields. Here is everything you need to know to choose your ride from our Camping Crin Blanc and make it a success.
Our view
The well-being of the horses matters a lot to us: we point you towards small, human-scale stables rather than the biggest ones. For a first time, a walking ride in a small group is enough to experience the Camargue from the inside, between marshes and manades.
The Camping Le Crin Blanc team
Key points
- An activity open to beginners : calm horses and walking rides, with qualified guides.
- We recommend small, human-scale stables, attentive to the well-being of their horses.
- Book in advance and bring long trousers, closed shoes, mosquito repellent and sun protection.
The Camargue horse, the gardians’ companion
On the back of a Camargue horse, born dark and turning grey with age, you follow in the footsteps of the gardians who have herded bulls for centuries. The Camargue horse stands between 1.35 m and 1.50 m and is one of the oldest breeds in Europe. Hardy and sure-footed, it moves without fear through the water and mud of the delta.
Along the trails, you pass herds of bulls and, with a little luck, a flock of flamingos taking flight. This experience at the level of the salt meadows lets you discover the Camargue as no road can, from the marshes to the beaches of the Camargue.
Which ride should you choose for your profile?
You will find many providers offering horse and pony rides around the campsite. At Camping Crin Blanc, we care about animal welfare : for us, a horse ride in the Camargue should above all be a moment of discovery and sharing, with respect for the animal.
That is why we have chosen to recommend smaller, human-scale stables, with professionals who share our vision of the relationship between people and animals. Rather than pointing you to the biggest operators, we prefer lesser-known addresses, where we appreciate the care given to the horses and their environment:
- Cama’Libre
- horse rides with La Palunette
- theLou Souleu association
- horse rides at Elise’s
- Mas Saint-Germain
Passionate professionals who will help you discover the Camargue differently, at the pace of the horses, between marshes, salt meadows and wide wild spaces. Because discovering the Camargue on horseback is even more beautiful when you feel the horse is respected too.
Good to know
When you book, riding centres ask for your height and weight so they can give you a horse suited to your build. At Mas Saint-Germain, each rider grooms and saddles their horse with the team’s help before setting off, a lovely way to get to know your Camargue horse.
Camping Crin Blanc, your starting point in the Camargue
Ideally located in the Camargue Regional Nature Park, halfway between Arles and Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, our campsite is the perfect base for your horse-riding outings. The delta’s riding centres are a few minutes’ drive away, leaving you the morning for riding and the afternoon for relaxing.
After your horse ride in the Camargue, enjoy our aquatic area, then extend the evening at the restaurant over a gardiane de taureau (bull stew). Our accommodation, , from air-conditioned mobile homes to spacious pitches, welcomes families, couples and groups of friends close to the rice fields and the horses.
Our tip
Plan to arrive a little early at the riding centre: at Elise’s, for example, you are asked to arrive 30 minutes before departure. This gives you time to get ready calmly and leave on time with the rest of the group.
Extend your discovery of the delta with the Maison du Riz in the Camargue or the birdwatching sites, two other natural sides of the delta.
Frequently asked questions
Can you go horse riding in the Camargue as a beginner?
Yes, horse riding in the Camargue is perfectly suitable for beginners. Qualified guides provide calm horses and lead the ride at a walk, on flat paths.
Should you book your horse ride in advance?
Yes, it is best to book your horse ride in advance. In the Camargue, it is sometimes tempting to choose your ride at the last minute: you turn up, choose a time… and a horse is already there, ready to go.
Yet behind this apparent simplicity there can be a much more intensive operation, with horses kept available for long hours waiting for customers and liable to do ride after ride throughout the day.
Booking your ride in advance is therefore also a choice: that of favouring professionals who genuinely care about the well-being of their animals.
What equipment do I need?
Providers will give you helmets. The right outfit for a horse ride in the Camargue is: jeans or long trousers and closed shoes (such as trainers).
Remember to bring mosquito repellent and sun protection too!
From what age can children ride a horse?
The minimum age for riding is set by the riding centre. If your child is still too young for a horse ride, a pony ride is usually possible. In most cases, you will lead the pony yourself with your child on its back, along a marked, suitable route.
Want to discover the Camargue on horseback?
Book your stay at our campsite and set off every morning to explore the marshes before enjoying the cool of the aquatic area.
Previous articleWhere to see birds in the Camargue near the campsite?
Images generated by artificial intelligence.
