Originally, the Camargue horses hail from the Rhone Delta of Southern France. It is an extreme climate that is essentially a hot, saltwater swamp. Because of their marshland home, the Camargues are often referred to as the “Horses of the Sea.” It's an ancient breed and probably indigenous to the area, though most likely mixed with invading Vandal horses and Barbs throughout Spanish invasions. The breed was not officially recognized until 1968 when an association was founded.

The Camargue may not be beautiful in the traditional sense, but it is stately. The overall look of the horse is that of an African Barb mixed with a primitive European horse. The head is coarse and thick, the neck is short, and the withers are flat. But the back is strong and the chest is deep and barreled. And even though the trot is a bit stilted, the Camarague carries itself with a distinct, high-stepping gait.

Because of its marshland upbringing and naturally hard hooves, there is little need to shoe the horse. The solid feet follow up to short but well-formed legs accented by hard joints that give this unique breed its speed and agility. Aesthetically, the Camargue and its bushy tail are normally white, but it can appear in other colors. A Camargue can be easily spotted because it is branded with a 'C' on its near hindquarter.

Slow to mature, the Camargue won't reach full adulthood until 5 or 7 years old. The horses are known for their longevity, and will often live well beyond the ripe age of 25.

Though much of the Carmague region has been drained to cultivate wine and rice, the horses are still used to work cattle, drive bulls during traditional festivals, and work as tourist transporters through the large nature reserve at the Etang de Vacares lagoon.

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