The medieval town of Aigues-Mortes and its famous ramparts are also known for the pink-colored saltworks that surround them and give the town a mystical air. The marsh water there has this distinctive color because of the presence of a micro-algae – Dunaliella Salina – which develops very significantly in these waters with a very high salt concentration. This algae has antioxidant properties and is also very rich in beta-carotene, the red-colored pigment that gives the water its incredible pink color. It is this micro-algae which is also at the origin of the pink color of the flamingos which can be observed in the region, they feed on tiny pink shrimp which themselves feed on Dunaliella Salina algae.