Aigues-Mortes

Rick Steves said don't bother coming here, but it was recommended by Chuck Brook so we came. Chuck was right. While the place feels almost surreal from the outside, a 13th century walled-city in the middle of nowhere, it has an interesting history and quality about it.

It's located on the western edge of the Camargue, a natural area between the Mediterranean Sea and the two arms of the Rhône River delta. It was built by Louis IX as a 'jumping-off point for his Crusades to the Holy Land'. Ironically, it's not on the sea; it was connected to the sea by canals.

 
Within the walls we came across a church with very unusual stained-glass windows that gave the place a most unusual light quality.

We also discovered charming streets full of souvenir shops. While many were very tacky, some were most impressive, selling a variety of gourmet foods, biscuits, olive oil, and chocolates designed to look like olives.

The name means "Dead Waters" which refers to the surrounding salt marshes. There one can also find flamingos...however we didn't see any. Although I was shocked to see pink waters as we drove out of town. It was an unbelievable site.