Camping in Sainte-Marie-la-Mer

In the Pyrénées-Orientales, the sun shines 300 days a year and the beautiful beaches of the Occitanie region invite you to swim and sunbathe. Camping in Sainte-Marie is geared towards camping with children and offers many amenities for young and old. Situated between the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean, the region is also ideal for excursions to the attractive surroundings and charming towns.

Special features of camping in Sainte-Marie

Camping Le Sainte Marie is idyllically situated under the trees and offers a modern 1,500 square metre water park, an adventure playground and a mini-farm. The natural surroundings are what make the campsite so attractive. Campsites in Sainte-Marie are also located directly by the sea. Close to the Corbières maritimes with its hills, rocky mountains, vineyards and the sea, it is the ideal destination for exploring the Occitanie region. Medieval towns and picturesque valleys alternate with beautiful beaches. The public beach of Sainte-Marie is around 2.5 kilometres away. There is a beautiful natural beach just 1 km away. Anyone looking for peace and quiet and a more natural setting will feel at home here.

How to get there

From Germany, the shortest route from Düsseldorf on the A1 motorway and then on the A31/E17 is around 1,200 km. From the border crossing in Mulhouse, it is around 822 km to Sainte-Marie in the south of France. Take the A6 to Lyon and then change to the A9 to Perpignan at the Lyon Centre sign.

Alternatively, it is worth switching on the sat nav, setting it to "toll-free" and using the national and country roads to avoid the expensive toll roads, especially when driving a motorhome. This means travelling from the border crossing near Mulhouse near Freiburg on the A35 to Besançon and from there on the N83 national road to Lyon. On the way, the motorhome car park at the Villars-les-Dombes bird park is a good place to take a break.

The A9 motorway takes holidaymakers straight from Lyon to Perpignan. From there, take exit 41. Sainte-Marie is reached after around 15 kilometres on the D81. Roadworks are to be expected along the entire stretch of motorway. In the peak season, there are bottlenecks that can be bypassed via national and country roads. However, this can also take a lot of time and incur additional petrol costs.

Activities and excursions

The beautiful beaches and the historical landscape of Occitania offer plenty of opportunities for sightseeing, excursions and sporting activities. The medieval town of Perpignan is 15 kilometres from Sainte-Marie and the dream beaches of the Costa Brava are 55 kilometres away.

Cross-country trail, bike tours and swimming fun

Right next to Camping Le Sainte Marie, the cross-country course promises fun for children. Races are organised here every week. The whole family can enjoy the idyllic surroundings, where 40 kilometres of cycle paths lead to the most beautiful destinations, such as the La Voie Verte de l'Agly route. Right by the sea, camping in Sainte-Marie-la-Mer offers a beach feeling, water sports and a modern marina.

Experience medieval flair

Nearby Perpignan, with its medieval centre, is a city full of treasures. The imposing cathedral and the gigantic Palace of the Kings of Majorca are well worth a visit. The Gothic and Romanesque-style building has mighty fortress walls from which holidaymakers can enjoy a magnificent view. The Aviation Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Catalonia are also well worth a visit. Le Barcarès and Argelès-sur-Mer are popular seaside resorts with promenades, night markets and many events.

Gastronomy

The orange-coloured apricot stands out among the fruit varieties of Roussillon. They taste best fresh and ripe from June to July. There is even a festival centred around the sweet fruit. Other Occitan specialities include traditional bread and pastries such as pain crestou and pain d'èpeautre. The soft yeast bread fougasse is also very popular in the region.

What would Occitan cuisine in the south of France be without soups? Aigo boulido, bajana and the traditional fish soup bouillabaisse are the best known. Every meal also includes appetisers such as brissaouda, the delicious roasted garlic bread, or the snails known as escargots. Meat and sausage specialities are called boudin à la viande, jambon de l'Ardèche or melsát, a traditional sausage. However, the cuisine of Occitania is particularly fond of garlic dishes.

Best time to visit

Sainte-Marie can be visited from April to October. Spring is of course at its best, with temperatures climbing up to 26 degrees Celsius and everything in full bloom. In the summer months of July and August, it gets hot at 30 degrees Celsius, but the forests provide shade and the sea cools you down. 24 degrees Celsius is the average temperature in the sea, which is ideal for swimming and water sports. Fiestas and festivals also invite you to celebrate all year round. At the beginning of August, the pink garlic festival is celebrated in Lautrec, and during the grape harvest, the Pays d'OC is full of festivities.