Saintes Maries de la Mer
Saintes Maries de la Mer, village of sanctuary, tradition and pilgrimage, was built between sea and sky, where the River Rhône meets the Mediterranean Sea.
Saintes Maries de la Mer – village of sanctuary, tradition and pilgrimage
Saintes Maries de la Mer, village of sanctuary, tradition and pilgrimage, was built between sea and sky, where the River Rhône meets the Mediterranean Sea.
According to legend, at the dawn of Christianity, three Christian women who had been persecuted, Marie Jacobé, Marie Salomé and their servant Sara, fled Palestine aboard a boat with no rudder and were washed up on the shore.
To the visitor, the village presents the image of its stately, protective church, promising a visit rich in emotion in constantly changing light.
Stroll through the narrow cobbled streets in the footsteps of pilgrims in the shadow of the Romanesque bell-tower. Admire the view from the roof of the church, marvel at the amazing wide-open spaces where ‘manadiers’ on horseback herd bulls with a promising future at ferias onto pastureland. Take time to go and meet these men and women who are always delighted to share their passion for life on a ‘manade’ with visitors.
Saintes Maries de la Mer, capital of the Camargue
From the village, go towards the dunes, fine sandy beaches, vast reed beds and ‘manades’. Enjoy walking or horse riding across the wide open spaces, admire the ballet performed by the magnificent birdlife, take to the water and go sailing or surfing when the winds are favourable.
Saintes Maries de la Mer is the capital of the Camargue, an area of enchanting, wild beauty, unspoilt culture and living traditions. The Camargue : desert-like spaces of water, mud and sand, breeding centres for bulls and horses, a terrain for a multitude of migrating birds, a coastline untouched by urbanisation, local inhabitants proud of their bullfighting culture and traditions.
Explore the Bouches du Rhône region with Gîtes de France Bouche du Rhône: Mucem at Marseille, Carrières de Lumières at Baux de Provence, Musée de l'Arles Antique, Aix en Provence, Arles, La Côte Bleue
Our selection of accommodations
Lodging
Mas Espelly - La Maisonnette
in SAINTES MARIES DE LA MER - Bouches-du-Rhône
Lodging
Gîte de Mouchou
in SAINTES MARIES DE LA MER - Bouches-du-Rhône
Lodging
Mas Farola
in LES SAINTES MARIES DE LA MER - Bouches-du-Rhône
Our new accommodations
Lodging
Le Mas des Chênes Verts
in SAINT REMY DE PROVENCE - Bouches-du-Rhône