R,R and R's!

(reeds in the Camargue)

Nope-it's not rest and recreation, Army style - R,R ans R's represents the area of France in which Mr le Marquis resides - "reeds,rice and 'rigglers!

For those of you who may not know the area, or have vaguely heard of it, somewhere, or indeed for those of you who may like to visit the area, here is a little trip!

This is a fairly typical view of the Camargue, being situated along the shores of the Med. sea, les etangs (lakes), with a varied nature .

In fact the area has more than people think - it is, for example, Europe's largest producer of rice, particularly the "natural" rice (brown and not white).

Buildings like the one below were built to accomodate, originally, the workers in the reed industry, and this industry is still the biggest in Europe today, although the buildings have passed into legend, or have become hunting lodges/gites for the tourists/occasionally a meeting point for locals.
(Typical thatched roof in Camargues)

The fishing industry is still practiced, although becoming smaller and smaller, older people give up due to age, and generally the younger people look for, and find, an easier occupation.

The photo is of the "etang" at Mejanes, and all these etangs have one thing in common, they are all full of 'rigglers (remember our title?)-Eels! Would you beleive it, the area is the biggest exporter WORLD WIDE of eels! Probably because the French, who normally would eat almost anything, are somehow or other not into Eels! They are sold, cooked and eaten, but more generally they are sold to Germany,Holland,UK, Japan amongst others, where they are treated in the traditional methods i.e. Jellied, smoked, sushimied, etc.....
(The arenas at Arles-but it could be almost anywhere in the area).
Sometimes I ask myself if the "Tauromachie" (the pastime dealing with matters concerning Bulls,bull fighting etc) is really a passion of the locals, or helps along the Tourist Industry. A bit of both, I think, but as you can see from the little story in the article before this one, there IS a certain passion involved.
(so called "wild horses" in the Camargues)

The area is defined as a "Parc National" and as such is protected, but not always respected! There, however, many chances to see things in their natural state, probably for the last time in this world, because Tourism advances, brings money and jobs, but demands a high price in other ways.

Just ask my mate Chippie about "Safari's" in the Camargue!

Tourism requires comfort, must be modern, have everything from "nothing to everything", and the architecture of La Grande Motte (seen below) shows what happens! I know this plot of ground from the early 60's, when it was decided to build a Tourist city, at the gates of Montpellier and the Camargue. In 3 years it was done, from swamps to what you see in the photo. Actually, the name "La Grande Motte" translated literally means "The Great Clod" and that's what it was before! Mosquito infected swampland, and only massive intervention every year, with anti mosquito treatments, make it habitable. Unfortunately, the mosquitoes are becoming immune to the treatment, and the animals that used to eat the mosquitoes (frogs etc) are few and far between, having been devasted by the treatments!

(La Grande Motte)

The Camargue as a Natural Park:

The Camargue is also a Nature Reserve for my mate Chippies passion - birds- of all shapes and sizes. For me something I like to smell and see sizzling in the pan or oven, but even I admit that it is impressive to see the flocks flying by. Somehow or other the Animals sort it out by themselves, this horse tolerating the permanent presence of the crane because it eats the parasites on the horses skin.
(For Chippie and Tinkerbelle)

So there we are, a few little notes, and if it's given you the desire to visit (and the beaches are close to hand) then I'm sure Mr le Marquis can arrange a Hotel!!