Just ten minutes from Aimargues sits one of the most perfectly preserved medieval walled towns in Europe. Aigues-Mortes ('Dead Waters') was built in the 13th century by King Louis IX as France's only Mediterranean port for the Crusades. Walk the full 1.6 km circuit of ramparts, which deliver breathtaking views in two directions: the medieval grid of streets below and, on the other side, a mesmerising expanse of Camargue salt marshes that turn deep pink in summer as microscopic algae bloom in the brine. Climb the Tour de Constance — a 35-metre keep that later served as a notorious prison for Protestant women — and imagine the 10,000-strong Crusader fleet that once gathered on the waters below. Take the little train through the Salins du Midi salt works for a surreal journey past mountains of white crystallised salt. The intimate Place Saint-Louis, shaded by plane trees and ringed by café terraces, is perfect for a long lunch. Don't leave without buying fleur de sel de Camargue, among the finest finishing salts in the world.
✦ Tip: Visit early morning or at dusk when crowds thin and the light on the ramparts is extraordinary. The Wednesday and Sunday markets outside the walls are excellent for local produce.
14.0 km from the house