The Constance has just enlarged the fleet of Isles-de-Stel barges. Originally, the Aigues-Mortais Claude Mégias, created in 1971 its boat trips activity with the Isle de Stel barge. In 1999, the Isle de Stel 2 was added, with a paddle wheel reminiscent of the ships in the Mississippi. Since August 1, for their 25 years of existence, his son Franck Albecq-Megias and his wife Noémie Claudel have just added a cruise ship designed to meet tourist demand.
This barge is intended to develop business tourism. The capacity of the new boat and its high-tech equipment, such as a giant touch screen for conferences, is designed to accommodate companies or events in very good conditions.
Franck, the pilot and manager of the company, confides his satisfaction in maneuvering such a building and is accompanied by a guide in charge of welcoming and commenting on the richness of the heritage.
Tourists can enjoy the deep Camargue, on the Canal du Rhône à Sète, all year round. In summer, like the other two barges, the Constance crosses typical landscapes with a stop in a herd.
The Constance is a river navigation boat that can accommodate 120 people, in cruise configuration and 70 people, for seminars or business meals. This type of boat measures 25.70 m by 5.50 m; The Isles de Stel barges or the Constance boat allow you to visit Aigues-Mortes from a different perspective, that of the canals with its fauna, flora and flamingos.
The flamingo is the largest wader in the Camargue, measuring between 1.40 and 1.60 m in height. It lays only one egg which the couple take turns to incubate for 25-30 days. The Fangasier pond in the Camargue is the only spot in France where this bird, which lives in colonies, reproduces. The flamingo looks for food in the brackish water of the pond, when the water reaches a certain level of salinity (16 ° balsam) and is reddened by the brown monadunali algae. This algae is absorbed by the small water-inhabiting shrimps, also known as artemia salina, which in turn are the flamingo’s main food and give the bird its pink color.
The Rhone canal in Sète is dotted with barges, as you walk, you can discover the rice fields, including the famous Camargue rice. Camargue rice is produced in an area of 23,000 ha. This zone represents 1/3 of national consumption. Growing rice is delicate and requires a lot of attention. Rice grows during the period from April to May. Camargue rice is labeled « Cap Camargue AOC ».
The barge ride allows you to see the Tour Carbonnière, it was built during the construction of Aigues-Mortes. This tower fulfilled a military function, serving as a vanguard against invasions likely to come from peripheral regions.
A tax known as « grant » was levied on the tower for trade with Mediterranean and Eastern countries at that time, and during the construction of the port of Aigues-Mortes, ships carrying products. such as textiles and spices could deliver their goods. This urban toll was abolished at the end of the French Revolution.
The cruise ends with the arrival in Aigues-Mortes opposite the Constance Tower, a powerful military-designed dungeon. In the 17th century, the Tour Constance became a prison for Protestants. From the terrace, a unique belvedere overlooking the sea and the city, the visitor has a panoramic view of the Camargue, its garrigue and the salt pits of the South.
