The beautiful little mediaeval town of Aigues Mortes sits flat on the marshland known as La Petite Camargue. The name Aigues Mortes derives from the old French “Ayga Mortas” which means “dead waters”. First mention of the town is made in a 10th century document.

The old town is considered one of the purest extant examples of 13th century military architecture. Surrounded by 1, 650 metres of walls, six metres thick, it was designed to be impregnable.
The Port of Aigues Mortes was rebuilt by Louis IX in the 13th century and at the time it was only Mediterranean port. Both the Seventh Crusade (1248) and the Eighth Crusade (1270) embarked from here.
Modern Aigues Mortes retains all the might, beauty and charm of the old town, while offering a great of restaurants, cafés and shops. One of its most popular shops is the bright yellow confiserie La Cure Gourmande, which sells everything the 21st century sweet-tooth could desire and much more besides.