Domaine de la Palissade, Ranger station and natural attraction near Arles, France
The Domaine de la Palissade is a ranger station and natural attraction near Arles, on the right bank of the main arm of the Rhône delta, managed by the Conservatoire du littoral. It sits outside the protective dikes of the surrounding area, leaving the land open to the river and sea, with marshes, reed beds, and grasslands making up most of the terrain.
The land was used for centuries as private ground for raising animals, fishing, and hunting before being bought by local authorities in 1976 to protect it. The decision to leave it outside the regional dike system means it still changes shape with the river and sea, as it has always done.
The Domaine de la Palissade sits in the Camargue, a region long associated with wetlands, wild horses, and flamingos. Visitors can explore on horseback, a tradition that remains common in this part of the Rhône delta.
The site is near Salin de Giraud on the road to Piémanson and can be reached from Arles by following signs toward Giraud. Because the terrain is open and exposed, visitors should bring water, comfortable shoes, and sun protection before setting out.
Although the Rhône delta has been heavily altered over the centuries, the Domaine de la Palissade is the last remaining section that still looks as it did in its natural state. This makes it one of the few places where you can get a sense of how the original delta appeared before people shaped it.
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