Arriba, Arriba

The South of France has many hidden treasures to explore; sleepy towns and villages that almost seem forgotten by time and tourist. Yet, these are some of the most interesting places for day trips.

The Bull Run

Along with a couple of friends, I spent the Easter weekend visiting the old town of Arles, about an hour away from Marseille by train. The town had been described as quaint and traditional, with small streets, uneven pavements, Roman ruins and amphitheatres and the haunt of Van Gogh.

Imagine our surprise then, when arriving in the town we were met with an endless row of police cars lining the street from the train station down to the town itself. Slightly perturbed, we walked down to Arles, only to head into an ongoing bull run in the street.

Bull runs, we later discovered, are a continuing tradition in the city and there are lots of monuments, engravings, and even graffiti dedicated to bulls around the town. The amphitheatre itself was hosting a sold out bull fight, more commonly associated with Spain.

Roman Ruins in Arles

Proving popular, the bull run in the street had been designed with fences wide enough for spectators to fit through – an open invitation for people to test their nerve against the cattle that were let loose along the street. Inhabitants were not shy of entering the “arena” either, with many enticing and antagonising the animals before running back through or climbing up the fences when charged upon.

The Rhone Delta

Away from the chaotic scenes, the small town was what we expected – a quiet place that makes for a perfect day exploring away from Marseille. The history of the town was felt through the ruins of old Roman temples that have been carefully preserved along with parts of a forum. The Vincent Van Gogh Foundation, whilst disappointing for its lack of Van Gogh exhibits, offers visitors an interesting collection of modern art that has been inspired by the famous artist, as well as a roof top terrace across the uneven small roofs of this town.

Horseback exploration

Arles is also the gateway to the stunning Camarques, a special wetland delta of the Rhone River, which extends from the city for approximately 50 kilometres until France meets the Mediterranean Sea. I had the chance to explore the delta on horseback, through a three hour ride. There are lots of fauna and flowers that are unique to the region and hundreds of species of birds use the area as a home, breeding ground and lay over during migration seasons. The Camargues are particularly known for their white horses, and dazzlingly pink flamingos.

A horse tour took my friends and I along the river delta, through mud plains and fields, and along the golden beaches of the Mediterranean – but be warned, mosquitos are also common.

Visiting the Camargue beaches