Page 144 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Provence & The Côte d'Azur

142  PROVENCE AREA B Y AREA

Exploring the Camargue Afterwards there are bullfights,
horse races and flamenco dances
The unique character of the Camargue has given rise to (see pp228–9). The church is also
unusual traditions. The native white horses and black bulls worth visiting for the view from
are ranched by manadiers and herded, branded and tended its rooftop walkway.
Throughout the centre of
by the region’s cowboys, or gardians, whose small, low, the town are cheery restaurants
whitewashed houses dot the landscape. Local bullfights with checked tablecloths, and
are advertised in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, the main tourist shops selling patterned skirts,
centre of the region and chief place to stay, also renowned shirts and scarves, lucky charms
for its gypsy population. It has a sandy beach and offers and Romany souvenirs.
Still in the Saintes-Maries area,
watersports and boat trips. Tourist offices throughout the 4.5 km (3 miles) north of the
area provide information on walks, but the best views are centre on the banks of the
from the 7-km (5-mile) footway and cycle path along the Etang de Ginès, lies the Parc
Digues-de-la-Mer (sea dyke) from the town. Several sights Ornithologique du Pont-
within the Camargue have been turned into museums and de-Gau, with a vast range of
exhibitions of local life and natural history. Several ranches Camargue birdlife (see p140).
and activity centres organize rides and riding holidays.
R Eglise de Notre-Dame-
de-la-Mer
19 pl Jean XXIII. Church: Tel 04 90 97 80
25. Open daily. Walkway: Open Apr–
Nov & school hols: daily; Dec–Mar:
Wed, Sat & Sun pm. 5 6pm Tue–Sat,
10:30am Sun. & for walkway.
The church dates back to
the 4th century, but has been
destroyed and rebuilt due to
excavations of the saints and its
early (and valuable) relics. These
are all on display here. The popu-
lation of the village increases
dramatically during the summer
and the great pilgrimages. Over
200,000 pilgrims and visitors
enter the “Door of Faith” every
year. Pilgrims are welcomed
A bloodless Camargue bullfight in Méjanes and offered guided tours.
A place of pilgrimage gypsies from all over the world E Domaine de la Palissade
The three Marys who gave come to pay homage to their 13129 Salin de Giraud. Tel 04 42 86
Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer its patron saint, Sara, the black 81 28. Open Feb & Nov: Wed–Sun;
name are Mary Magdalene, Mary Madonna who lies in the crypt of Mar–Oct: daily. &
Jacobe (the Virgin Mary’s sister) the 9th-century Eglise de Notre- This natural reserve boasts rich
and Mary Salome, mother of the Dame-de-la-Mer. An effigy is also flora and fauna, which can be
apostles James and John. Set paraded through the streets. explored either on foot, through
adrift after the Crucifixion with, walks ranging from 30 minutes
among others, their servant Sara, to 3 and a half hours in duration,
Saint Martha and her brother or on a Camargue horse.
Lazarus, they landed here in their
boat. They built a shrine to the O Parc Ornithologique du
virgin, and while the others went Pont-de-Gau
to spread the word of the gospel, RD 570, Pont-de-Gau Tel 04 90 97
Mary Jacobe, Mary Salome and 82 62. Open daily. Closed 25 Dec. &
Sara stayed behind. 7 8 ∑ parcornithologique.com
In winter, the town is an Most of the birds that live in
unpretentious, low-rise resort. or migrate through the region
It overflows during the May and are represented in this reserve.
October festivals, when Mary Huge aviaries house birds that
Salome and Mary Jacobe are might otherwise be hard to
celebrated, their statues marched spot. Try to keep to the sign-
to the sea to be blessed. The Eglise de Notre-Dame-de-la-Mer, in posted paths to avoid damage
larger festival is in May, when Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer or disturbance (see p140).
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp200–1 and pp212–15