Read the article on the La Provence website

Article written by B. Bu of the newspaper *La Provence*.

Guests at Marina Plage can enjoy the unforgettable experience of taking a camel ride to the sound of cicadas. Jordan Feraud, who is in charge of the campground’s animal park, has become a true expert on camelids, with a library that would impress even a camel herder. It was Guylhem, his grandfather, who first brought these animals to the campground 13 years ago, when the owners of a circus left a few camels in his care for several weeks because they couldn’t take them to Corsica. The campground has just welcomed five new residents, including a pregnant female from the Canary Islands, where, since the 15th century, approximately 2,000 dromedaries native to Western Sahara have lived.

"It is not permitted to import these animals outside the European Union," Jordan explains, "and there are very strict regulations that must be followed. " So, at one of these Spanish breeding farms—with the help of a friend who is a breeder in Larzac—we’ll select mostly young, weaned animals; a consolidated shipment allows us to secure better terms, especially for transportation. She is state-certified for this type of import and must adhere to very strict health standards. Five days before their departure from the Canary Islands, blood tests are performed, and upon their arrival at the Marina, I administer another round of deworming. “There are now 20 Majorero camels residing at the Marina, six of which are specifically assigned to daily rides.” The dromedary is a gregarious animal; a large shelter is sufficient to protect them from the heat and the cold—weather conditions to which they are accustomed in their natural habitat, the desert, which is hot during the day and cold at night—but also to provide shelter in case of rain.”

Three employees who lead the tours

"As herbivores, we consume a lot of forage, even though we’re one of the most economical animals to feed. Compared to a horse, they eat half as much.” Jordan is very attentive to his animals’ health: “ We have a longtime veterinarian, Édouard David in Aubagne, who took over from his father. He’s very competent, but we consult Cécile Magnan, an experienced equine veterinarian in the Gard region, whenever we’re unsure about a problem that arises. She advises Édouard on the best course of action, and I personally follow the treatment plan she outlines. Although camels are robust, they are very susceptible to intestinal worms, which can be fatal if not treated promptly.”

Jordan has an employee who feeds the animals and cleans the enclosure: “They recognize us, and when we arrive with a little treat, they know we want something from them.” Three circus employees lead the walks. The saddles are custom-made but come in several lengths. Underneath the saddle is a pad with pockets: “We fill them with polystyrene beads based on the animal’s body shape to ensure it sits securely on its hump.” " It’s easy to see why the dromedary has become the symbol of Marina Plage; even guests talk about it, like Kévin, 40: " My son was fascinated by the dromedaries. It was a unique experience, and the campground staff did a great job organizing it.” Or Sophie, 28: “An original and super fun activity! The kids loved it, and the camels are adorable.”

During the season, check out a new article about our campground every week in the newspaper *La Provence*!