Aigues-Mortes

"Visit here and travel far away," read the billboards outside of Aigues-Mortes.

The Salt of the Earth Craig Winneker 2011

You don't have to take the Salins tour to experience the saline history of Aigues-Mortes, whose name comes from the Latin for "dead waters."

The Salt of the Earth Craig Winneker 2011

Trip planner Where to stay For plush accommodation, the main choice inside the Aigues-Mortes ramparts is Villa Mazarin www.villamazarin.com , with doubles from €120 night.

The Salt of the Earth Craig Winneker 2011

Rex Features The 'Porte de la Reine' at Aigues-Mortes, the eastern gate to the well-preserved medieval town.

The Salt of the Earth Craig Winneker 2011

The massive ramparts of Aigues-Mortes shrink into the distance as the vehicle winds its way into the salt ponds.

The Salt of the Earth Craig Winneker 2011

Shopping The souvenir and delicatessen stores along Aigues-Mortes's main shopping street all sell gourmet Camargue salt and salt-related items: shakers, grinders and cellars small bowls, often with a wooden spoon.

The Salt of the Earth Craig Winneker 2011

Aigues-Mortes combines medieval splendor with a laid-back attitude often missing in other tourist towns in the south of France.

The Salt of the Earth Craig Winneker 2011

The Caveau des Remparts, a gourmet boutique located just outside the Aigues-Mortes ramparts on the road to the Salins, displays several types of fleur de sel, as well as local wines and other delicacies.

The Salt of the Earth Craig Winneker 2011

What to do A walk along the well-preserved ramparts of Aigues-Mortes offers an intoxicating overview of lovely streets and squares and stone houses; turn and look outward in any direction and see the vast landscape of the Camargue.

The Salt of the Earth Craig Winneker 2011

The lagoon on which it was built eventually silted up and Aigues-Mortes was eclipsed as a port city by Marseilles.

The Salt of the Earth Craig Winneker 2011