Réserve Naturelle Nationale Camargue

To protect the oldest and one of the largest nature reserves in mainland France. It is one of the largest wetland reserves in Europe. And it is also recognized as a wetland of global importance according to the Ramsar Convention.

Species of Concern: European Otter (Lutra lutra); Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus); Common Crane (Grus grus); Common Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos); Red-backed Gull (Larus argentatus); Little Tern (Sterna albifrons); Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis)

Restrictions

1. The entry and movement of people and domestic animals is prohibited throughout the territory of the reserve, except with the authorization issued by the director of the reserve and with the exception of the sea wall and the foreshore.
2. The movement of motor vehicles and boats is prohibited, except where necessary for the service of surveillance, management of the reserve or scientific research carried out in the reserve.
3. Overflight of the reserve at an altitude of less than 1000 m is prohibited for air traffic. However, this provision does not apply to aircraft under the jurisdiction of the Defence, for which overflight is prohibited at an altitude of less than 450 m.
4. Hunting is prohibited throughout the reserve.
5. Fishing, in any manner whatsoever, is prohibited throughout the reserve, subject to acquired rights over the Tampan pond.
6. Unless authorized by the director of the reserve, the following are prohibited:
- the introduction of animals into the reserve, whatever their state of development;
- the destruction or removal of eggs, broods or nests, the mutilation, destruction or removal of animals, with the exception of animals classified as harmful;
- the transport, peddling, offering for sale, sale or purchase of animals from the reserve, whether alive or dead, as well as their naturalization.
7. It is prohibited to deliberately disturb or disturb animals by shouting or making noises, throwing projectiles or in any other way.
8. Unless authorized by the director of the reserve, the following are prohibited:
- the introduction into the reserve of seeds, seedlings, plants, grafts, cuttings or fruiting bodies of any plants;
- the destruction, cutting, mutilation, uprooting or removal of plants or their fruiting bodies;
- the transport, peddling, offering for sale, sale or purchase of plants from the reserve.
9. The destruction, alteration or degradation of the natural environment constituting the reserve is prohibited when these actions are carried out knowingly.
10. It is prohibited to engage in industrial, craft and commercial activities, or to explore for or exploit mines and quarries throughout the entire territory of the reserve.
11. Any public or private work, any new construction is prohibited within the reserve.
12. Photographic, cinematographic, radio or television activities are prohibited in the reserve, except with the authorization of the director of the reserve.
13. Bivouacking, camping and parking in a habitable trailer or any other camping shelter are prohibited throughout the reserve.
14. It is prohibited:
- to abandon, deposit or throw away, outside of places specially designated for this purpose, papers, cans, bottles, garbage or waste of any nature whatsoever;
- to carry or light a fire, outside of residential buildings, plots of land constituting the public maritime domain and places designated by the director of the reserve;
- to throw into the reserve any incandescent or flaming objects;
- to disturb the peace and quiet of the premises by improperly using a radio receiver, a phonograph, an internal combustion engine or any other instrument;
- to make, by any process whatsoever, inscriptions on stones, trees or on any other movable or immovable property;
- to bring or introduce dogs, except in places designated by the director of the reserve.
15. No military maneuvers may be carried out in the reserve.

Allowed

1. The overflight ban does not apply in cases of absolute necessity, accidental damage and rescue and relief operations, the reserve director being informed as soon as possible.
2. Amateur photography and cinematography are free to practice on the sea wall and on the foreshore.