Dans les bras du Rhône: festival in the valley, the delta and the Camargue

Dive into Dans les bras du Rhône, a unique festival celebrating the richness of the river through walks, shows and meetings with experts. Every autumn for almost 10 years, discover the biodiversity, history and environmental issues of the Rhône between Roquemaure, Avignon, Arles and the Camargue. Here’s a closer look and practical links to the arms of the Rhône.

In the arms of the Rhône…

… is an opportunity for young and old to explore the river from every angle!

The Dans les bras du Rhône event, organised by the Centre Permanent d’Initiatives pour l’Environnement (CPIE) Rhône Pays d’Arles, is an annual celebration highlighting the many facets of the River Rhône. Launched several years ago, this initiative aims to raise public awareness of the environmental, historical and cultural importance of this vital waterway.

The 2024 event, which runs from 4 to 14 October, marks the 8^th edition of this festival and coincides with the Fête de la Science.

The event offers a series of free events, tailored to different audiences, across 13 communes and three départements (Bouches-du-Rhône, Gard and Vaucluse). The programme is rich and varied, including nature outings, lectures, shows, workshops and film debates. Themes such as biodiversity, the impact of human activities on the river and energy issues are at the heart of the discussions. Experts such as historians, scientists and nature guides share their knowledge with the public on walks, cycle rides and kayak tours. Highlights include kayak tours of the Rhône and guided walks revealing the river’s hidden histories, particularly in Arles and Avignon.

Special attention is paid to children and families, with fun and educational workshops on the flora and fauna of the Rhône. Shows such as Les secrets du Rhône illustrate, through historical frescoes, the profound link between the river and the territories it flows through. The festival seeks to establish a shared culture of the river, while encouraging reflection on current environmental challenges such as plastic pollution and the risk of flooding.

The festival also extends to the areas of the middle and upper Rhône, enabling awareness-raising to be extended to the whole of the Rhône basin. This reflects an ambition to raise collective awareness of the need to protect and enhance the river, from Switzerland to the Camargue.

The towns of Mondragon, Roquemaure, Avignon, Aramon, Fourques, Beaucaire, Tarascon, Mas-Thibert, Arles, Salin-de-Giraud, Port-saint-Louis-du-Rhône and Saintes-Marie-de-la-Mer are all involved in the Rhône River Year.

The theme of the year

This year’s theme is Solidarity, with a wide range of cross-disciplinary events accessible to all types of public, including

Professional meetings to discuss current affairs and the technical, political and scientific issues surrounding the river;
Educational projects dedicated to the Rhône
Evening conferences and screenings with public debates
Outings, cycle rides and guided navigations on a wide range of subjects linked to the river: biodiversity, the history of navigation on the Rhône, flood risk, etc.

The events take place between Mondragon and the Camargue, from the quays to the riverbanks, from the banks to the delta of the Rhône, with the help of a wide range of stakeholders, associations, scientists and river enthusiasts.