Stes-Maries-de-la-Mer

Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer lies at the heart of the Camargue, in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, surrounded by lagoons, salt marshes and the Mediterranean coast. The town is known for its fortified church, Notre-Dame-de-la-Mer, a place of pilgrimage linked to the tradition of the Holy Marys and Saint Sarah, venerated by the Roma community during gatherings each May. The coastline offers long sandy beaches, popular for swimming and watersports, while the surrounding countryside is home to Camargue horses, bulls and flamingos, particularly around the Étang de Vaccarès and the Camargue Regional Nature Park. Horse riding, horse-drawn carriage rides and boat trips allow visitors to explore this protected wetland landscape. Local cuisine features bull stew (gardiane de taureau), Camargue rice and fresh seafood. The small harbour and town centre, with its shops and arena hosting traditional Camargue bull games, add to the Provençal, bull-rearing character of this destination, located close to Arles and Aigues-Mortes.