The Musée de la Camargue is a social museum located at Mas du Pont de Rousty, 40 km from our Campsite in the Camargue. Managed by the Parc naturel régional de Camargue, it has been telling the story of the unique relationship between man, water and nature in the Rhône delta since 1978. An ideal gateway to the Camargue region. There’s a permanent exhibition, works by Tadashi Kawamata and a 4.8 km interpretation trail, all free of charge!
Key points to remember
- Housed in the former sheepfold of Mas du Pont de Rousty, the museum is located 10 km from Arles, on the road to Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer.
- The permanent exhibition Le fil de l’eau, le fil du temps is divided into 4 themed areas devoted to the Rhône delta.
- A free 4.8 km interpretation trail leads through rice paddies, marshes and past a typical Camargue hut.
- Tadashi Kawamata’s Horizons welcomes visitors at the start of the outdoor trail.
- Admission costs from €7.50, with audio guides in 6 languages and free parking for all.
A museum at the heart of the Camargue Regional Nature Park
The Musée de la Camargue was founded in 1978 in the former sheepfold at Mas du Pont de Rousty, then the administrative headquarters of the Parc naturel régional de Camargue. Its vocation is clear: to tell the story of the relationship between man and nature in this singular territory of the Bouches-du-Rhône, shaped by the Rhone and the sea. It is a museum of society, awarded the Musée de France label and the European Museum Prize in 1979, and a guarantor of the Park’s cultural mission.
In 2013, as part of the Marseille-Provence European Capital of Culture program, the museum underwent a facelift with an innovative, interactive scenography. The collections assembled since 1977 now tell the story of a territory too often reduced to clichés.
The2019 extension, designed by heritage architect Philippe Donjerkovic, added a larger reception area and a room dedicated to temporary exhibitions, which are renewed around themes such as salt, photography or Camargue landscapes.
Le fil de l’eau, le fil du temps” permanent exhibition
Thepermanent exhibition at the Musée de la Camargue is entitled Le fil de l’eau, le fil du temps. It was originally conceived by ethnologist Georges Henri Rivière, then renewed by Jean-Claude Duclos, honorary chief curator of the Musée dauphinois, accompanied by sociologist Bernard Picon and ecologist Alain Dervieux. The exhibition is divided into 4 complementary spaces, each of which offers a different perspective on the Rhône delta, its transformations and its inhabitants.
The route is divided into 4 stages:
- The first room, Yesterday and today, a deltapresents the island of Camargue, formed by the meeting of the Rhône and the sea.
- A second sequence, The passage of timetells the story of the delta’s transformation in the 19th and 20th centuries.
- Next up Le fil de l’eauwhich describes today’s Camargue, between human activities, nature conservation and a sense of belonging.
- Finally, La Camargue en images projects photographs and films in a room that hosts a guest photographer during the Rencontres internationales de la photographie d’Arles.
Historical pieces, interactive installations, games, sound, videos and contemporary works of art invite young and old to navigate between past, present and future. Audio guides in 6 languages accompany you on your visit, from French to Provençal, and treasure hunts allow you to explore the collections with the whole family.
Tadashi Kawamata’s “Horizons” interpretation trail
Departing from Mas du Pont de Rousty, the interpretation trail extends the museum visit into the Camargue landscape. It‘ s 4.8 km long, takes around 1h30 and is accessible free of charge 24/7. The trail follows the canal and rice fields, crosses a reedbed and leads to a typical Camargue hut and the marsh.
This is where you discover Horizonsa work by Tadashi Kawamata. This wooden observatory invites you to reflect on the challenges of water in the Rhône delta. Throughout the Park’s territory, the Sentiers de l’eau trail extends the encounter with the Japanese artist with two other installations: Décise on the banks of the Grand Rhône in Arles and Escale at the Grande Montlong pumping station.
For those wishing to explore further, the trail opens the door to a wider Camargue of marshes, ponds and living traditions.
Good to know: the trail is flat and ideal for families, but shade is rare on the interpretive path. Remember to bring good shoes and a bottle of water, especially in midsummer. Morning or late afternoon light brings out the colors of the rice paddies and reedbeds. Allow around 1h30 to complete the 4.8 km route.
Practical information for your visit
The Musée de la Camargue is located at Mas du Pont de Rousty, on the Route Départementale 570 between Arles and Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. Here’s everything you need to know before you visit:
- The museum is open daily from April to the end of September, from 9am to 6pm, with reduced opening hours in the off-season and closures on January 1, May 1 and December 25.
- The full address is Mas du Pont de Rousty, Chemin 6399, RD 570, 13200 Arles, 10 km from Arles and 27 km from Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer.
- Prices start at €7.50 full price and €5 concessions for 6-18 year olds, students, over-65s, jobseekers and groups of 10 or more.
- Several family passes start from €11, and the Pass Camargue from €10 allows you to combine the museum with the Domaine de la Palissade trails.
- The team can be reached on 04 90 97 10 82 or by e-mail at musee@parc-camargue.fr, and full details are available on museedelacamargue.com.
- The Campsite offers free parking for cars, buses and motorhomes, a picnic area, dry toilets and a store, although overnight parking is not permitted.
The museum has also been awarded the Tourisme et Handicap label for its adapted facilities, and is included in the Avantage Pass for Arles monuments, starting at €19.
Our favorite: combine a visit to the Mas du Pont de Rousty with a half-day on the interpretation trail, then take advantage of the return trip to discover the Camargue landscapes along the way. This culture-nature getaway is the perfect complement to a stay at Les Jardins de Tivoli, our 4-star Campsite just 800 meters from the beach at Grau-du-Roi!
Ready to extend your Camargue adventure?
Want to extend your experience after your visit to Mas du Pont de Rousty? Our Campsite in the Camargue , Les Jardins de Tivoli, welcomes you 800 meters from the beach at Le Grau-du-Roi, between the culture of the Rhone delta and the shores of the Mediterranean. Book your next vacation now to visit the museum and its interpretation trail at your own pace.
Sources :
- Musée de la Camargue, official website: https: //www.museedelacamargue.com/
- Camargue Regional Nature Park: https: //www.parc-camargue.fr/
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