Exceptional heritage of the Camargue

Name: Hôtel Les Palmiers
Address: 16 rue Alphonse Daudet,, Ste Marie de la Mer, 13460
Telephone: 04 90 97 85 60

The Camargue is a vast wetland where ancestral traditions, ponds, exceptional biodiversity, remarkable villages, salt marshes, museums, marshes, tourist circuits and fine sandy beaches meet. Discover its enchanting and exotic landscapes, with family, friends, as a couple or solo. The Camargue Regional Natural Park aims to protect its fauna and flora, while allowing access and discovery to travelers. On horseback, on foot, by car or by bike, explore the richness and quality of the landscapes offered by the Camargue. Cradle of horse breeding, bulls and gypsy music, there is no shortage of festive events in Saintes Maries de la Mer.

The Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer

Capital of the Camargue, the city of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer is a land of legend, tradition and pilgrimage. Between Camargue and Provençal landscapes, you will not be disappointed by your visit to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. In the shade of its Romanesque bell tower, visitors stroll through the paved streets. From the roof of the church, with their eyes on the lookout, nose and hair in the wind, they are overcome by the emotion of the wide open spaces, future scenes of discovery and warm encounters with the manadiers who travel on horseback through the bull pastures promised a glorious future.

The year unfolds to the rhythm of traditional events, pilgrimages, ferias and events of all kinds. Between the ponds, the marshes and the beaches, the sporting activities and relaxation you won't have time to get bored.

The Church of Our Lady of the Sea

Built near the mouth of the Petit-Rhône, the Church of Saintes Maries de la Mer had a strategic position. The church dominates the village and is visible from 10 km from the land.

It is a real fortress, formed of a nave, without ornament and 15 meters high. The roof is surrounded by a patrol path, with battlements and machicolations. The choir and the apse are surmounted by a semicircular keep which contains the old room of the guardhouse called the "upper chapel". The walls of the church are provided with loopholes. It served as a shelter for the population and there is even a fresh water well there.

Today, the statue of Sara, an essential element of the gypsy heritage, is placed in the crypt. The sanctuary, dedicated to the Virgin Mary also known as Our Lady of the Sea, was built around a primitive church.

Contemporary historians place the construction of the church during the second half of the 12th century, while others date the nave to the 11th century and the part corresponding to the choir to the 9th century.

The traditional manade

To discover the Camargue cattle tradition, there is nothing better than visiting a manade. Meet these enthusiasts of bulls, Camargue races and traditions. Learn about the work of a gardian by taking part in a discovery day in the heart of a manade. Workshops, exceptional meetings and typical dishes will be on the program.

The Pont de Gau bird park

4 km from our hotel in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, in this bird sanctuary, called the Pont de Gau, observe hundreds of pink flamingos and the exceptional Camargue fauna in its natural state. In the heart of nature, you can stroll on the many protected hectares of the ornithological park and meet many species of birds. Breathtaking landscapes and the sweetness of life in the Camargue will punctuate your stroll.

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From the Dike to the Sea

Between sea and marsh, this walk connects Les Saintes Maries de la Mer to the Phare de la Gacholle over 12 km.

A UNIQUE PATH

It was built in 1859 to protect the Camargue from marine intrusions. Exchanges between the sea and the ponds are made via valves.

The dike is accessible by bike, on foot or on horseback. It is an unmissable place in the heart of the National Reserve for nature and hiking lovers (24 km round trip). After the lighthouse, it is possible to continue to Beauduc and Salin de Giraud.

The dike that isolates the Rhone delta from the influence of the sea, reveals astonishing wild expanses and beautiful lagoons where seabirds and brackish water birds are active.

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