Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
A whitewashed seaside town in the Camargue. The fortified 12th-century church has a rooftop terrace with views over the Mediterranean, and every year it hosts a Gypsy pilgrimage festival in May.
The town centers on the fortified Romanesque church of the 12th century, dedicated to “Our Lady of the Sea.” From the rooftop terrace, you can look down over red-tiled roofs, the Mediterranean, and the Camargue wetlands. Around May 24–25 each year, Gypsies (Romani people) from across Europe gather here to honor their patron saint, Sara, and carry her statue into the sea in a grand procession. A long sandy beach stretches beyond the town, where you can go for a stroll on horseback along the coast. Van Gogh painted fishing boats here in 1888. It's about 38 km from Arles.
Opening hours
All day; rooftop terrace hours vary, check on site
Nearby sights
- Camargue (Pont de Gau Ornithological Park)
- Arles
- Arena of Nîmes
- Maison Carrée
- Château de Tarascon
- Les Baux-de-Provence
- Pont du Gard
- Glanum