Camping in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer

The picturesque expanses of the Camargue await travellers on a camping holiday in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. Horse riding enthusiasts can explore the sun-drenched marshes with their unique flora and fauna, while the town is characterised by whitewashed houses and lively cafés and restaurants where local music groups occasionally show off their skills. On the fine sandy beaches, young and old alike can cool off in the gentle waves of the Mediterranean.

Special features of camping in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer

The campsites in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer are located in the immediate vicinity of the unspoilt natural landscapes of the Camargue. They offer direct access to the fine sandy beaches of the Mediterranean and are just a few kilometres from the town. If you are travelling by bike, you can reach the village via a cycle path along the coast.

With differences in altitude of around 10 metres, the flat region is ideal for cycling tours anyway. Nature lovers can go hiking or birdwatching in the Camargue Regional Nature Park. The local culture and tradition can be seen in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer in the form of colourful folk festivals or during a visit to the town museum. The municipality is also a place of pilgrimage that attracts many believers.

How to get there

Travelling to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer from Germany is usually via the two bottlenecks of Lyon and Orange. The journey runs along the Rhone Valley on the A7 motorway, the so-called Route Soleil, which connects the greater Lyon area with Marseille. This road to the south is very busy, especially during the peak season in July and August.

The journey from Germany, for example, is 1,500 kilometres from Hamburg and a good 1,000 kilometres each from Frankfurt am Main and Munich. Travelling from Munich through Switzerland has the advantage that the Lyon conurbation can be bypassed to the south.

The French motorway service areas often have supply and disposal facilities for caravans and motorhomes. They are signposted accordingly at the exit. There are also often modern toilet facilities and furnished picnic areas. Travellers will find a wide range of shopping facilities and restaurants at larger service areas.

On French motorways, tolls are paid directly in cash or by credit card at toll stations. At the start of a motorway section, travellers take a ticket, which they validate when leaving the section in question.

Activities and excursions

Camping in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer is not just about relaxing days at the beach: we also recommend taking a trip to discover the culture of the village and the fascinating landscape of the Camargue.

Sightseeing in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer

The tranquil municipality of just under 2,700 inhabitants welcomes visitors from afar with its 15-metre-high St Mary's Church. It was built between the 9th and 12th centuries as a fortified church, as evidenced by the crenellated battlements and embrasure-like windows. The museum in the former town hall gives visitors a comprehensive insight into the wildlife, traditions and way of life of the people of the Camargue.

Wild and romantic landscapes in the Camargue Regional Nature Park

Nature lovers can discover the biodiversity of this wetland area on horseback or on a bike tour. The best-known inhabitants of the Camargue are black bulls, white horses and pink flamingos. The vegetation is characterised by reeds, saltwort, yellow iris and buttercups. Small clusters of tamarind trees appear again and again.

The cycle and hiking trails lead over dykes and along 17th century drainage channels. There are 15 stations along the route with viewing platforms, educational posts and permanent exhibitions about the diverse and fascinating flora and fauna of the Camargue.

Gastronomy

In Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer and the surrounding area, Provençal cuisine is served in many small restaurants and brasseries. The dishes consist of fresh ingredients flavoured with fragrant herbs such as thyme, rosemary and lavender. Garlic, black olives and white truffles are also often used in cooking.

Red rice is cultivated in the Camargue, which goes well with the flavour of gardiane, a dish made from braised bull meat. This is bred in AOC-certified quality. Another local speciality is telline. These small mussels are cooked in a flavoursome white wine broth with garlic and parsley, for example. The dishes are flavoured with fleur de sel, which is mined in the local salt pans.

Best time to visit

The climate in the region around Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer is characterised by mild temperatures all year round. These climb up to 30 degrees Celsius in the summer months of July and August. With water temperatures in the region of 22 degrees and up to 12 hours of sunshine, this period is ideal for a beach holiday on the French Mediterranean beaches.

For an active camping holiday in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, spring and autumn are also recommended, with average maximum temperatures of around 15 to 23 degrees. This pleasant climate allows for relaxed cycling tours or leisurely visits to the historic town centre. In winter, the thermometer drops to around 3 degrees - a good time for long walks in the fresh air amidst a fascinating natural landscape.