Les-Saintes-Marie-de-Mer

[Grehan]

Thanks to Coromar, here are some pics of Saintes-Marie. Looks like a good little place. It's located at the mouth of the 'Petit Rhone' and east of the Rhone itself and Port St Louis.

 

[vyv_cox]

I can confirm that it is very pleasant. Berthing is a bit tight but no worse than many other French ports. The town is quite pretty and we enjoyed a 'Little Train' trip out into the countryside to feed white horses. It is possible to climb all over the roof of the church and sit on the peak, possibly unique?

 

[Metabarca]

So-called because legend has it that Mary landed here some centuries ago. The result of which is a major Roma gathering in May (I believe) with much dancing and living it up.

 

[Carmel2]

On your last pic we were about in that spot stern too, the lazy lines were so full of **** that my wife could hardly lift one, nice showers though.

 

[All_at_Sea]

Mooring

Just for reference in the last picture you can see a wooden section to the left of the fuel. This is a good spot to rest overnight if you get there late in the day, go side on. The other advantage there is that you can walk straight onto the beach at the back, have a swim, back onto the small pontoon and shower off with the hose.
Did all this last October on our way home. Good restaurants too.

 

[coromar]

Hi All,

Thank-you Grehan for putting the photos here, they look great.

Les Saintes Maries de la Mer is named after 3 Marys who landed there :-

Mary Magdalene who went to Sainte Baume
Mary Jacobe and Mary Salome who stayed here and whos remains are kept in the church and taken down to the sea twice a year.

There is also Saint Sarah who is the Roma Saint.

Do not confuse here with Saint Maries a small port further down to Spain.

We are sitting here in wall to wall sun in 18c at the moment. however if the NW mistral starts then this brings the temps down.

Best wishes,

Paul

 

[Andy and Lyn]

lovely place - enjoyed the marina / the facilties / the town / and the long bike ride along the coast and into the Camargue.

 

[binch]

Ste Marie de la mer

The festa in honour of the 3 saints is worth a major detour. One of our books (now out of print) has a full account. Get a copy from the library "A spell in Wild France".
One feature was that when the roma found we lived in a boat they co-opted us as honorary members and we were able to join in the feasting and dancing (we were younger then) and not allowed to pay for anything. We were guests.
OOOh that dancing was wild.
Go to the church service if you can. St Sarah is not an official saint in the RC calender, but the local bishop says she is a saint by adoption.
At one point in the service, her body is lowered from the rafters into the body of the churcg with unbelievable emotion. The faith was almost palpable. A wonderful experience.
The other Maries got dunked in the sea.
If you time your cruising well and read local guide books, you can get much more out of cruising than by just entering and leaving harbours.

 

[coromar]

Weather in Les Saintes Maries de la Mer

Hi All,

Having boasted on the 25th of Jan how warm and sunny it was here, I have to admit it is now 5.3c and snowing !!

Thank goodness for free electricity.

Best wishes,

Paul

 

[Liz_I]

With the forecast for the coming week to be minus 5 - minus 7 only barely reaching 0C during the day, I'm glad to be coming back to UK where it'll be much w.....orse!!

No snow here but first rain for 2 months & very cold!