Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer travel guide
Visit Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France)
Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer is at the southern edge of the Camargue, in southern Provence and on the Mediterranean on a thin peninsula jutting into the Petit-Rhone delta region.
Legend has it that Marie Jacobé, the aunt of Jesus, and Marie Salomé were washed upon the shores of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer when they arrived from Palestine in the first century AD, thus giving the town its name. When she heard that their children were being killed, Sara, their servant, vowed to protect the gypsies of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer and in consequence became their patron saint.
Explore Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
France This Way review: Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer has a quite unique character that make a visit interesting and rewarding. Personally I would prefer to visit for the day rather that spend a whole holiday here as it is quite small - but the crowded streets suggest I am in the minority!
Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer is a small town, dominated by its church and surrounded by attractive streets of simple white washed houses, many of them now shops focussing on the tourist market. The town centre is quite small but very lively in summer with several streets to explore.
There is a small active harbour in the town that you can amble around, with a couple of harbour side restaurants, and a long promenade and small beach areas to the east of the centre.
The fortified church in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, the only historic monument of note in the town, is very artfully lit with halogen lighting, and the stone interior not over-cleaned, making it very atmospheric. You can see the statue of Sara in the church - go to the rear of the church and descend the stairs.
There is a separate entrance to the side of the church where you can ascend to the ramparts and look out over the town and the Camargue (there is a charge for this part of the visit). See Church of Notre-Dame in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer for details.
Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer is a pilgrimage town for gypsies, who gather in great numbers in the town each May to commemorate Sara and the town still holds great importance for gypsies, which explains the strong presence of flamenco music, dress and dance.
L’Avenue Federic Mistral is a single street dedicated to restaurants and cafes, several of which have very large full paella pans out the front in order to entice potential customers and Place de Gitan is another popular centre of activity in the town.
At night in summer the streets of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer are often full of the sounds of live Spanish guitar and singing: in particular the area around the tourist office has several bars where you can hear live flamenco music.
There is a market for you to explore in the main square each Monday and Friday, which is another example of how both the French and Spanish cultures intertwine. There are stalls selling everything from olives, cheeses and local French wine to flamenco dresses and large brightly coloured hair flowers.
Beaches of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
Although there is a beach close to the town centre, you will find larger beaches in both directions along the coast from the town.
The beach to the west is a long sandy beach that is popular with visitors, while the beach to the east is more of a place to take a walk and less of a sandy beach for a day of relaxation.
Events in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
During the summer there are different events held nearly every night in the arena. For those who want to see easy entertainment there are often concerts by tribute bands and even comedy shows. Another event is Toro Piscine which runs twice a week during July and August and consists of a bull, various participants, a swimming pool and no killing.
Summer in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer is full of activities and there are a number of equestrian shows, bull riding contests and even performances with acrobatics on bulls.
Attractions nearby
The town is almost completely surrounded by water, and numerous beaches and dunes are close to hand, as well as the possibilities of exploring the Camargue region. The water also plays a large role at the Pont de Gau Ornithological Park, where you can see birds - predominantly flamingos - in their natural environment.
Among the most interesting towns close to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer are Aigues-Mortes to the west and Arles to the north-east.
You can find more travel ideas in the Bouches-du-Rhone guide and the Provence guide.
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Map of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer and places nearby
Places to visit near Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
Church of Notre-Dame in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
The Church of Notre-Dame is a fortified church with 9th century origins in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
Church of Notre-Dame in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer guide
Camargue
The Camargue region of marhes, with flamingoes and semi-wild horses and an unusual natural environment, make it very popular with nature lovers
Camargue guide
Pont de Gau Ornithological Park
The Pont de Gau Ornithological Park in the Camargue is home to many wetland birds including a large population of flamingos
Pont de Gau Ornithological Park guide
Aigues-Mortes
The remarkable town of Aigues-Mortes is a fortified town that retains its entire medieval defences and an interesting historical centre
Aigues-Mortes guide
Saint-Gilles
Saint-Gilles is a small town with an impressive 12th century abbey church
Saint-Gilles guide
Le Grau-du-Roi
Le Grau-de-Roi is one of the most eastern, and one of the most popular, beach resorts in Languedoc-Roussillon
Le Grau-du-Roi guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Bouches-du-Rhone
Tourist classifications for Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer is classified as a recommended detour town (plus beau detour)
Address: Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, Arles, Provence, 13460, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 43.452, longitude 4.4286
Plan your visit to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, Bouches-du-Rhone
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Etang de Scamandre: site of natural beauty (20 km)
- Towers and fortifications of Aigues-Mortes: national monument (23 km)
- Saint-Gilles: secteur sauvegarde (25 km)
- Saint-Gilles ancienne abbatialle (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (25 km)
- Pointe de l'Espiguette: site of natural beauty (25 km)
- Camargue: grand site of france (29 km)
- Arles église St Honorat (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (30 km)
- Eglise et cloitres de Saint Trophime, Eglise de Saint-Honorat des Alycamps (Arles): religious monument (30 km)
- Roman Arles: heritage site (30 km)
- Arles: secteur sauvegarde (30 km)
- Abbaye Notre Dame de Montmajour (Arles): religious monument (34 km)
- Montmajour Abbey: national monument (34 km)
The French version of this page is at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer (Francais)