A town rich in history, culture and tradition, where you can admire the relics of the three Marys, watch the Camargue race and observe pink flamingos.
An exciting trip, discovering Saintes Maries de la Mer, capital of the Camargue
Saintes Maries de la Mer is a French commune located in the Bouches du Rhône department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. It is the capital of the Camargue, an area of great natural and cultural interest, famous for its white horses, black bulls and pink flamingos.
The name of the municipality derives from legends about the arrival on its shores of three Marys: Mary Magdalene, Mary Salome and Mary Jacobi, who fled Palestine after the crucifixion of Jesus. The three Marys are venerated as patron saints of the gypsies, who gather in the village each year to celebrate their feast on May 24 and 25.
The symbol of Saintes Maries de la Mer is its fortified church, built between the 9th and 12th centuries, which dominates the landscape. Inside the church you can admire the relics of the three Marys, kept in an underground crypt. The church also houses a museum dedicated to the history and tradition of the Camargue.
Saintes Maries de la Mer offers visitors many activities to do and see, including:
– Horseback rides along the beaches and rice fields of the Camargue, to discover the typical fauna and flora of this area.
– Water sports such as sailing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and kayaking, to take advantage of the wind and waves of the Mediterranean Sea.
– Corsa camarghese, a taurine spectacle typical of the region, in which the razzaïres (bullfighters) have to snatch rosettes hanging from the horns of bulls without injuring them.
– Ornithological Park, a nature reserve where hundreds of species of birds, including the famous pink flamingos, can be observed.
– Festival of Travel Music, a cultural event held annually in April. The festival features concerts and performances of gypsy, flamenco, jazz and world music.
Saintes Maries de la Mer is an ideal destination for those looking for a vacation filled with nature, culture and tradition.