Beaches in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer (13460) France - advise, map and photos

The village of Saintes Maries de la Mer, Camargue’s main resort (or at least the most typical), is a real paradise for beach lovers. Several kilometres of uninterrupted sandy beaches are available to holidaymakers. The east is the wildest part of Saintes Maries de la Mer. It is mainly accessed through the dam to the Sea (pedestrian area with bicycle track), providing total calm. They stretch to Beauduc. This part of the Saintes can be compared to a desert with its dunes. We are sure to find a quiet area where the next person is more than 200 meters away! In the west, that is to say from the port to the opening of the Small Rhône region, there are three beaches. In the centre of town, there are several beaches, including those around the arenas and the tourist office.

The village of Saintes Maries de la Mer provides total escapism thanks to its lime-bleached houses and many restaurants where you can taste the regional specialities. Clams (small shellfish found in wet sand), bull gardiane, rice from the Camargue region or all sorts of fish are available in several restaurants with a musical atmosphere reminiscent of the Gipsy King.

For those who wish to see the Saintes more broadly, we recommend you to go to the top of the church Notre-Dame-de-la-Mer (around 50 steps to climb). The view of the village, the sea and the arenas is stunning. If you enjoy walking, you can visit the Gacholle lighthouse (accessible through small paths and the dam to the sea on foot or by bike – or by car via Salin de Badon but the road is a badly maintained track) in the Camargue’s national reserve. You might get the impression of being in another world between marshes, horses, pink flamingos, dune areas, sand and sea.

To the west of Saintes Maries, you will find the Grau du Roi resort (in the Gard region 40 minutes away) with the various resorts of the Languedoc-Roussillon region, including the Grande-Motte with its great sandy beaches. In the east, you will find the Blue Coast with its beautiful beaches of La Couronne.