Camargue Wildlife and Festival

Day 1. Arrivals

We will collect you from Montpellier airport for transfer to your charming hotel in the centre of the medieval town of Aigues-Mortes. Take time to unwind, unpack and perhaps explore the streets of the city that lies within the mile-long rampart walls.

Day 2. Birdlife/Black Bulls

Before sunrise, we head for the Parc Ornithologique, which is a natural Camargue wetlands park of great importance.

Led by our BBC Wildlife bird specialist and expert in his field, you will be taken to the ideal spots to get the birds at their very best, as they fly over at sunrise. He knows the best hide-outs at the right time of the day to capture single birds perched on a tree or when to enjoy the vast lakes for flocks of pink Flamingos and the largest array of birdlife in Europe.

In the afternoon, we photograph the Camargue Black bulls in action thundering their way through the marshy shallow water, their horns held high, herded by the Gardians on horseback – an exhilarating photographic experience!

Day 3. White Stallion on the sand dunes and beach/White Horses in the marsh

In the morning, we head to the beach for a shoot with a beautiful white Camargue stallion. We photograph him rearing on the top of the sand dunes and running along the golden sand of the beach, making for striking action shots and beautiful portraits.

In the afternoon, we photograph a dozen wild white horses running through the marsh. We shoot several drives with the horses running across and towards your field of view. We will also take shots of the ‘Gardians’ (Camargue Cowboys) dressed in their traditional Camargue shirts & hats, trident in hand, surrounded by the herd, as well as some close-up portraits of the ‘weathered’ ranchers.

Day 4. Portraits of Gardians/White Horses on the beach

We spend the morning shooting portraits of the Gardians (Camargue Cowboys) with their ‘weathered’ faces – they are perfect subjects for stunning black and white classic portrait photography. Serge demonstrates how to obtain a classic portrait, along with some great tips for working with subjects who may not be comfortable in front of the lens. You will learn about composition, lighting techniques using daylight and portable flash, lens choice and how to deal with the elements around you.

Late afternoon, we head to the beach for the iconic shoot of the Camargue white horses running along the golden sand and in the sea, as the sun sets in the surf spray! We also capture the horses in a peaceful lagoon with beautiful reflections, producing minimalist and graphic images.

Day 5. Festival

We start with traditional breakfast (a ‘casse-croûte’) in the meadow with the Gardians (Camargue cowboys) and locals, in traditional Camargue dress. Standing in the shallow stream, we are in the centre of the action to capture the Gardians rounding up the bulls to herd them into town for the Abrivado (the arrival).

Early afternoon capture festival life in and around the beautiful town of Aigues-Mortes, including bull racing; pop up theatre animation; good food and wine. At midday and in the evening, there is a party atmosphere with a ball and concert on the main square.

Late afternoon, in Aigues-Mortes, it is time for the Bandido (the departure) – 2-3 cowboys flank one bull at a time as they gallop back through the narrow streets which is as exciting as dangerous, and most people stay well behind the barriers! The youngsters test their bravery by standing in the way as long as possible to destabilise the horses or catch the bull by the horns to enable him to escape. Capture stunning action pictures of the horses and bulls as they gallop through the old town, with the sun setting behind the stone archways of the old city gates.

Day 6. Festival

This time, we are in town to capture the Abrivado, as they arrive for the day’s festivities. Again, the Gardians flank the bulls and they arrive at a gallop, clattering through the cobbled streets. Each farm (mas) showcases their skills with the bulls, herded by the cowboys on horseback. Young lads attempt, Toreador style, to get the better of the young bulls by distracting the horses – this is called the ‘Vachette’.

In the afternoon, we return to the meadow to capture the action of the rounding up of the bulls before they return to town for the Bandido.

Day 7.

At dawn, we photograph the sparring stallions – this is a unique opportunity to see the White horses entwined at full height, in feisty temperament with their manes flying.

Free time for lunch before departures to the airport.