Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer – Bouches-du-Rhône – Provence
About 50 min by car from our accommodation, ideal to combine with the Pont de Gau bird park
Looking for accommodation near Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer for your holiday? In Lunel-Viel, 50 minutes from the village, our accommodation with pool welcomes 4 to 12 guests: ideal for discovering the Camargue, then enjoying Montpellier, Nîmes and the beaches.
The capital of the Camargue, built between the sea, the marshes and the Rhône, Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer cherishes its traditions and legends. Here are the places not to miss.
Built on the site of a chapel dedicated to the two Saints, the Provençal Romanesque church dates back to the 12th century. Fortified from the 14th century, it towers over the village and can be seen from 10 km away: a true fortress, with a single nave 15 metres high.
It holds the relics of Mary Jacobe and Mary Salome. Every year on 24 and 25 May, the Gypsy pilgrimage in honour of Sara the Black brings together thousands of people, who carry her statue in procession through the streets.
A spiral staircase of 53 steps leads up to the church roof, surrounded by a wall walk with battlements and machicolations.
Up there, the view takes in the village rooftops, the sea and the Camargue lagoons: an unforgettable panorama to share with the family.
A well-known seaside resort, Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer opens onto the Mediterranean. The Crin-Blanc and Arènes beaches are just a few metres from the small marina: perfect for a swim after your visit.
Wilder still, the huge beach of Beauduc has kept its unspoilt character. Kitesurfing, windsurfing, beach huts and private beaches complete the picture.
Built in 1859 to protect the Camargue from the sea, the sea dyke runs from Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer to the Gacholle lighthouse, in the heart of the National Reserve.
Open to walkers, cyclists and riders (24 km there and back), it reveals wild expanses and lagoons full of birds. Check access conditions before you go, as works are under way on the dyke.
The gardians, true “Provençal cowboys”, have herded bulls here for centuries, riding small, agile and sturdy Camargue horses.
Horse rides, flamingos on the lagoons, wild landscapes between the Rhône and the Petit Rhône: the Camargue can be explored on foot, by bike or on horseback, right from the village.
7 minutes from the village, the Pont de Gau bird park lets you watch flamingos and Camargue birds, often at very close range, along a 2.6 km waymarked loop.
An ideal outing to combine with a visit to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, for young and old alike.
Half a day in the village. Visit the church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Mer and climb onto its roof, then stroll through the lanes before a break on the beach.
A full day. In the morning, explore the village and its church. In the afternoon, head to the Pont de Gau bird park or cycle along the sea dyke, before returning to the villa, 50 minutes away.
By car, allow about 50 minutes from Lunel-Viel, via Aigues-Mortes then the D58 and D38. The centre is then easy to explore on foot: everything is close by.
By bus, line A50 links Arles with Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. For outings in the Camargue, cycling and walking are your best friends.
The Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer tourist office is at 5 avenue Van-Gogh. It can advise you on visits, walks and access to the sea dyke.
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30 min by car
Looking for accommodation near Nîmes for your holiday? In Lunel-Viel, 30 minutes from the city, our holiday homes with a pool sleep 4 to 12: ideal for discovering Nîmes and its Roman monuments, then enjoying the Camargue and the beaches.
25 min by car
Looking for accommodation near Montpellier for your holiday? In Lunel-Viel, 25 minutes from the city, our holiday homes with a pool sleep 4 to 12: ideal for exploring Montpellier as a family, then enjoying the beaches and the Camargue.
20 min by car
Looking for accommodation near La Grande-Motte for your holiday? In Lunel-Viel, 20 minutes from the resort, our holiday homes with a pool sleep 4 to 12: ideal for enjoying its beaches, then discovering Montpellier and the Camargue.
Our accommodation with pool in Lunel-Viel, 50 minutes from Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, is the ideal base for discovering the Camargue, then enjoying Montpellier, Nîmes and the beaches.
In a villa sleeping 12 or an apartment sleeping 4 or 8, enjoy a peaceful stay.
Accommodation for up to 12 guests
from 100 € / night
