From Castillon-du-Gard, the stage leaves the bright limestone country around the Pont du Gard and rolls into the wide plains of the Gard. The route becomes more open, flatter and unmistakably southern. Beyond the villages, canals, reeds and lagoons take over. Aigues-Mortes brings the day’s historic highlight with its massive ramparts, before the quiet world of the Camargue begins: salt flats, water, flamingos, horses and wind. Towards Le Grau-du-Roi, Palavas and Frontignan, the Mediterranean moves closer — first as a promise, then as the horizon.
