The longest trip we did was to Aigues Mortes, a medieval town located in the Petite Camargue region, southwest of Arles. Louis IX of France (Saint Louis) rebuilt the port in the 13th century and it was the embarkation point of the Seventh and Eighth Crusades. The old city is completely walled and the medieval walls and battlements are well preserved.
We entered through Porte de la Gardette, on the north side, at one point the only access to the city, and landed in Place Anatole France, a long, welcoming square, and at the far end of the Place is the Constance Tower, built in 1242 by Saint Louis to protect the harbor and the city.
Plenty of little shops line Rue Jean Jaurès, the main street, named after the French Socialist leader, but it was nice to wander about, probably because there weren't too many tourists. We worked our way toward the center of the town and arrived in the sunny Place Saint Louis, which is adorned with his statue.
Also on the Place is the Notre Dame des Sablons church, built in Saint Louis' time. There's a plaque on the wall in memory of Saint Louis and his knights, who received the cross in this church for the Seventh Crusade in 1248 and the Eighth Crusade in 1270.
From Aigues Mortes we did the quick, 15-minute drive to the beaches of Le Grau du Roi, on the Mediterranean. It was too windy and cold to get in the water, but we enjoyed a beautiful kite show.
