Roller Greenway - Vauvert to the Carbonnière Tower (30)

The first section: Vauvert - Gallician

In Vauvert, you can easily park near the local college.

You will quickly follow the Philippe Lamour Canal, sometimes riding on one side and sometimes on the other. This canal is part of the irrigation network of the Bas-Rhône Languedoc.

There are a few road and farm-track crossings, but visibility is excellent, so you can easily anticipate and cross safely when there is no traffic.

Be careful though: you do not have priority when crossing roads or access tracks.

You will follow the canal, an old railway line, orchards and vineyards for around 8 km, on a completely flat and paved route.

This first section is the oldest greenway in the Gard. You can feel its age in the surface, with numerous bumps and cracks caused by tree roots.

Although some sections have been renovated, the surface remains quite "bumpy" in places. This can even become dangerous, especially at night, if you are not paying attention.

Renovation work began in early 2024. At the time of writing, I have not yet been back to check the result.

After around 8 km, you reach the entrance to Gallician, on the D779.

You can reach the village center via a smooth cycle path, but the last few meters are on a sidewalk or shared road.

The second section: Gallician - Carbonnière Tower

CLEARLY ONE OF MY FAVORITE ROLLER ROUTES IN THE GARD!

Starting from the port of Gallician, where you can find free parking, this greenway, which is part of the VIA RHÔNA, is completely flat and has an excellent paved surface.

It stretches for around 9 km.

The route starts among the boats moored in the port, along the Rhône à Sète Canal.

You then follow the canal for the entire ride, with water and boats on one side and the Camargue, with its typical scenery and wildlife, on the other.

About halfway along the route, you will reach the Tourradons Bridge.

You have two options: continue underneath the bridge or climb onto it to enjoy a 360° view right in the heart of the Camargue.

In the distance, you should be able to see the Carbonnière Tower, which currently marks the end of this rollerblading greenway, and even the walls of Aigues-Mortes, slightly further to the left.

Let's continue to the end!

Don't hesitate to look up and through the reeds. You are right in the middle of the Camargue, where the wildlife and vegetation are incredibly rich.

You are bound to spot something interesting.

Why not take a break to watch or photograph the flamingos?

The Carbonnière Tower gradually becomes larger and larger... You have reached the end of the greenway.

I strongly recommend riding the remaining few dozen meters on the road to reach the tower.

This tower is a watchtower built at the end of the 13th century to protect the fortified town of Aigues-Mortes.

It is incredibly well preserved and open to the public. You can climb the spiral staircase inside one of its pillars all the way to the top.

Enjoy the 360° panorama over the Camargue!

It is absolutely breathtaking.

Information panels are also available at the top to help you understand the surrounding area and learn more about the region.

Enjoyed it?

Time to head back!

Distances

Gallician - Carbonnière Tower: 18 km round trip

Vauvert - Gallician: 16 km round trip

TOTAL Vauvert - Carbonnière Tower: 34 km round trip

Why is it one of my favorites?

Why did I fall in love with this route?

Trust me: go at sunset!

Without hesitation, ride it, especially the Gallician - Carbonnière Tower section, and if you can, do it at sunset.

Take your time, slow down, stop to watch the wildlife and enjoy the scenery. Look around, left and right, and enjoy this incredible part of the Camargue!

Start your ride when the sun begins to go down in the late afternoon. Try to reach the Carbonnière Tower at sunset and enjoy the show.

As you progress, the colors gradually change to yellow, red, pink and purple...

Following the water, you get closer and closer to the tower while the scenery becomes more and more spectacular.

Birds flying together, flamingos peacefully standing in the water, reeds moving in the gentle breeze and even coypus jumping into the water as you approach...

It feels like a pause in time, in a truly magical place!

My ultimate pleasure is arriving in time for sunset and enjoying the incredible 360° view, with amazing colors and a peaceful silence.

A suspended moment, surrounded by nature as far as the eye can see.

In this case, the return journey takes place during the last remaining daylight.

Bring a headlamp to light your way and avoid small obstacles: a little stone or branch can easily catch you by surprise in the dark.

The pros and cons

The pros:

• The scenery and perfect surface, especially between Gallician and the Carbonnière Tower.
• The variety of wildlife you can encounter.
• How easy the route is, thanks to its completely flat profile.
• The viewpoints from the bridge halfway along the route and from the top of the tower.

The cons:

• The section between Vauvert and Gallician, which was getting old and was undergoing renovation in early 2024.
• The road section between the end of the Vauvert greenway and the Via Rhôna starting from the port of Gallician. The road is not ideal and some sections require riding directly on the road.

By Bolton, clicnroll