Saint-Martin-de-Crau can be explored through its landscapes, regional activities and a recurring tradition. At the Étang des Aulnes, different habitats and birdwatching take centre stage, while the museums cover landscapes, agro-pastoral themes and historical scenes from different perspectives. The Fête du Printemps, also known as the Fête de la transhumance, takes place annually in May and symbolises the shepherds setting off with their sheep for the Alpine pastures. If you are looking for a hotel in Saint-Martin-de-Crau, you can start by deciding whether nature, museum exhibits or the festival date will shape your travel plans.
Étang des Aulnes: Landscapes and Birdwatching
At the Étang des Aulnes, dry grasslands, wet and dry meadows, garrigue, ponds and aquatic areas come together. The site is also of interest to birdwatchers: numerous resident and migratory bird species can be observed there. What you may see depends on the season, so individual sightings should not be taken for granted.
The grounds at the Étang des Aulnes are open to walkers and horse riders, and include riding trails. Exploring the area on foot or on horseback offers different ways to experience it. If you plan to ride there, check the local conditions before setting out.
The Réserve naturelle nationale des coussouls de Crau is open to the public. However, entry requires a permit costing €3 and a map. You can obtain both at the Écomusée de la Crau. Check the permit requirements and price before your visit.
Écomusée and Rétromusée: Two Perspectives
The Écomusée de la Crau explores the Crau landscape, agro-pastoral activities and the natural environment. Illustrated explanations, photographs and videos present these themes. They include sheep farming with the Mérinos d’Arles, the production of Foin de Crau, which carries the AOP and AOC designations, and the management of water resources. The themes thus range from the landscape and pastoral farming to forage production and water management.
The Rétromusée offers a different perspective. It is housed in a former 300 m² sheep barn in Saint-Martin-de-Crau and was founded in 1987 through a collaboration between the town and the Avis family. Around forty mannequins in historical costumes bring reconstructed scenes to life; some exhibition details may change. While the Écomusée explores landscapes, the environment and agro-pastoral themes, the Rétromusée brings history to life through staged scenes.
Fête du Printemps: A Date in May
The Fête du Printemps has been held in Saint-Martin-de-Crau since 1986 and is celebrated every year in mid-May. Also known as the Fête de la transhumance, it marks the shepherds and their sheep setting off for the Alpine pastures. Unlike a visit focused on a museum or landscape, here the timing itself is part of the planning: the exact event dates may vary. So if you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the date for the relevant year.
Practical Information for the Town Centre
The Écomusée de la Crau is in the town centre, opposite the church. Behind the building, visitors can use a large free car park with a disabled parking space. Check parking and access details again before your arrival. This makes it easier to fit a visit to the museum into your travel plans, alongside the nature, culture or event themes described here.
Discover more destinations: Cabriès, Meyreuil, Fuveau, Vitrolles, Rognonas, Berre-L'étang, Gémenos, Chateaurenard
For the broader travel overview: Bouches Du Rhone.
