Saintes-Maries de la Mer und die Camargue - Urlaub, Sonne und Meer

Our Trip to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer Our journey to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer in southern France, on the Mediterranean coast, took two days (882 km) with an overnight stay in Orbagna. The trip was pleasant and traffic-free, taking us along toll highways. Upon arrival, we reached the "Aire de Camping-Cars Plage Ouest" campervan site, just 50 meters from the beach. It costs €16 per day (including water and waste disposal, but excluding electricity) and offers space for around 100 campervans. Reservations are not possible, and the pitches are separated by wooden planks. There is no shade, but there is a large waste disposal facility. Dogs are allowed. Payment is made at the ticket booth or in the morning to the cashier. The Le Clos du Rhône campsite, with its bread roll service, is 200 meters away; a beach restaurant is 300 meters further on. A small bridge leads directly from the campervan site to the footpath into town. For shopping, the town center, about 2 km away, is recommended and easily accessible by bicycle. The harbor and old town are well worth a visit: narrow, almost Spanish-style streets, numerous cafes, and restaurants invite you to linger. The chapters: 00:00 - We set off 01:33 - Arrival at the campsite 03:26 - Off to the beach 08:35 - Water and waste disposal 09:56 - Drone flight over the campsite 11:54 - Visiting the old town 23:53 - Visiting the weekly market 28:42 - The Camargue 35:10 - The Abrivado (a traditional Camargue festival) 35:24 - The Saladelle Festival 38:44 - Goodbye The Camargue Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer lies in the heart of the Camargue Regional Natural Park. The landscape is vast and flat, shaped by the Mistral, Tramontane, and Autan winds. The park covers approximately 150,000 hectares between the Rhône's branches, the Mediterranean Sea, and Arles; about a third of the area is water. In the past, the Rhône's branches frequently changed course, creating natural ponds of fresh and salt water. Today, a system of locks ("martillère") regulates the water level via canals ("roubines"). Evaporation regularly dries up the ponds, while prolonged stagnation of water leads to the formation of dangerous quicksand. The Camargue is France's largest wetland and is under strict nature protection. Formation and Structure The plain was formed by the deposition of sediment from the changing branches of the Rhône. Today, the Camargue is an island, bordered by Arles to the north, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, the Grand Rhône to the east, and the Petite Rhône to the west. It is accessible via three bridges and two ferries (Barcarin and Sauvage). The Camargue Horse One of the oldest horse breeds in the world: Foals are dark, their coats turning white-gray only at four to five years of age. They live semi-wild, withstand heat like the Mistral wind, and are considered particularly robust. They once helped in agriculture; today, they are closely associated with the Gardians – the cattle herders. A highlight is the Roussataïo, when mares and foals are led through the villages. The Camargue Bull These slender, black animals with lyre-shaped horns also live semi-free lives. They are a key part of festivals such as Abrivado, Bandido, and the Course Camarguaise, where Raseteurs remove trophies from the bulls' horns. Unlike in Spain, the bulls are not killed. Tradition and Culture The Marquis de Baroncelli (1869–1943) preserved the regional traditions. The Gardians wear lederhosen, colorful shirts, and hats, while girls change into Arles costumes for the Festo Vierginenco. These traditional costumes are an expression of the "Nation Gardiane," founded in 1909, which preserves the customs, language, and culture of the Camargue. More information: france.fr/en/artikel/camargue #france #sea #camargue #southernfrance #mediterranean #sun #vacation #motorhome #campsite