HOTELS & LODGE
Le Mas du Versadou adresse discrète au coeur de la Camargue, vous accue dans ses bains romains millénaires.

MARIE FRANCE
Le repos de César
Jules César serait heureux en Camargue, dans ce mas provençal au milieu des riéières et des vergers de Saint-Gilles du Gard. Michel Durand Roger et son épouse ont transformé les anciens chais en bains romains et ont couvert leurs murs de fresques inspirées de PompéI. Le nec plus ultra ? Loger dans la champre IMPERATOR, avec ses colonnes, et se laisser glisser au matin dans une eau tiède au "tepidarium", profiter du "caldarium" (bain de vapeur) et s'exercer dans la palestre, petite salle de sports.

COSMOPOLITAN
Et je me détends à la romaine
Ma chambre Imperator ouvre sur la petite piscine du tepidarium et les bains de vapeur du caldarium. Même les cases de l'apoditerium, vestiaire, ont été pompées sur celles de Pompéi... Les propriétaires du mas du Versadou ont refait une villa romaine, Internet en plus : au milieu des rizières et des abricotiers, des chambres d'hotes et gites pourvus de thermes privés. Palestre - petite salle de sports -, piscine extérieure, arbres centenaires : ces vacances à la romaine sont un parfait cadeau pour mon anniversaire de Taureau.

As a representative of the land of Camargue, as the Camarguese bull does be, the Camargue-bred horse, smaller than the Arabian horse, legitimately brings great pride to its breeders, the so-called “manadiers”. The Camargue horse is definitely raised in a “manade”, that is to be, a wide, wild space of earth or marsh, where it enjoys complete freedom. Authentical passion for the inhabitants of that land, the Camargue horse is widely appreciated for games, Camarguese fairs and “bull runs” (courses de taureaux), when the beasts run traditionnally with Camargue horses all around them, for the field the the arena, and then from the arena to the field. For those who would be eager to buy one, of course the breeders sell horses to anyone being able to take care of them. Its picture stands as a visible ornament in each house, and most often on walls and doors, and you still may find some as a harnessed team pulling a cart. For it is a perfect companion to wander with, it is easy for tourists who may enjoy horse-riding to go for a stroll on a saddle, as the summer comes, and to gallop on a long sand beach.

The festival, holding as an international reference for photographers, was created in 1970 by pro photographer Lucien Clergue from Arles, writer Michel Tournier historian Jean-Maurice Rouquette. Through over 50 exposition set up in various exceptional spots of cultural heritage, are meant to contribute to, and perpetuate the wonder of photography through the world, and want to be a spring of modern creation, helping young artists to get better recognition. Thanks to an ambitious and still very open program, from journalism photo to portraits, or ads, full setups or great collections, the Rencontres d'Arles explore the contemporary assets of photography and are a proof of how powerful this media happens to be; how critical the photograph can be, as a witness of the whole world around him. Being on the watch of the imbalances in the picture, of constantly renewed methods, of figures to think about the subject and plastics. Have good knowledge of new technics, and bring to anyone other conceptions of photo expos and a genuine relation to images. These are the objectives of the Rencontres d'Arles.

Due to its geographical situation, the Camargue owns a much various topology in a quite little area : pasture in its northern part, marshes, freshwater-, brackish water- or saltwater ponds, and littoral zone. Besides presenting a very special flora, the land of Camargue is on the road of migrating birds flying twice a year over the Mediterranean Sea : that is why it is also a most important ornithological spot. Made of soft, flat grounds, and swept by violent winds, though, it is a very fragile natural land.
Because of increasing traffic, open-air entertainment and intensive farming, and multiple dangers of pollution of the delta, the regional Park of Camargue was created in 1970. Stretching over 840 sq.km of land on the territories of Arles and of the Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, and over 340 sq.km on the sea, hardly settled, its organisation focuses on combining farming and environment, protecting nature and efficient management of waters.
Legitimately considered as a convincing example of sustainable development in France, the regional Park of Camargue protects two controlled terms of origin (“AOC”) : Camargue bull, and rice of Camargue, which is constantly threatened by the pressure of international competition, but earns a top-class reputation and benefits from an exceptional knowledge.

Right by the mas : private swimming pool, French pool salon, arboretum, Roman tavern, Roman baths; a private park and 50 acres of the Domain with rice fields and green fields for horses, etc.
Camarguese entertainment can be asked for : visits of 'manades' -bull and horse ranches-, and typical cuisine of the manades, discovery of birds, running, bike, sea, canoeing, historical tours, etc.
Our land is rich of so many meaningful sites for tourism, as well as various fairs, events and cultural life. In our hall, you will find at your disposal a full sample of brochures and documentation to inform you with good relevance. The beaches of the Saintes Maries de la Mer, the Abbey of St Gilles du Gard, the Rencontres d'Arles, the museum of Antiquity in Arles exposing the last discoveries from the grounds of the river itself, especially a famous statue of Caesar.