In Roman times, the present-day site of Les Saintes was the maritime outport of Arelate. The town, built around its 11th- and 12th-century fortress church and long enclosed by a wall, has preserved traces of this historic past. Les Saintes-Maries is also home to the mythical gypsy pilgrimage held every year. Gypsies from all over Europe gather in the little town for festivities that retain their authenticity. They come to honor their patron saint, Sara, the Black Madonna. This is without doubt the town most representative of a way of life that is now disappearing. Don't hesitate to go further afield to discover the Etang de Vaccarès, stroll along the seafront, enjoy the beaches or discover the magnificent wild Camargue. Whether in the ornithological park, a superb reserve home to hundreds of species of birds, mammals and insects, or off the beaten track, there's no need to keep your eyes peeled for hours before coming face to face with bulls, horses and pink flamingos. The harmony of the cohabitation between nature and humanity is striking, not to mention the omnipresent presence of the sea and the river. Water is not only an element of the landscape, it is also a key player, the lungs of the region, but also its fragility: rising seas due to global warming pose a major threat to the Camargue coastline and its immense flood plains. It's an exceptional heritage to be safeguarded.

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