I’d always been intrigued by tales of the Camargue as it seemed such a mash of contradictions. In a country famed for its mountains the Camargue is flat, in a land that defends its culture the Camargue owes much of its traditions to both Spain and ancient Rome and at a time when the world has gone very PC the Camargue still enjoys bullfighting!

Since settling in the Aveyron, 2 hours from the Med, in May this year with my wife Debbie and four year old son, Leon, we’ve generally been soaking up the rural French country idyll and enjoying the lush green hills around out little paradise of St Geniez d’Olt.

With winter coming on I though it a good idea to make a final dash for the Mediterranean and enjoy a few al fresco meals before turning our attention to winter pursuits such as log fires, skiing and long, long lunches.

We chose the Maeva resort adjacent to Arles and booked a 2 bedroomed villa at the Résidence Maeva Les Mazets de Camargue for a three day... more