Sainte Sara to discover from your beachfront campsite

Learn about the customs of the region and discover the festivities of Saint Sara the Black!

Camargue’s seafront campsites offer a unique opportunity to discover this remarkable natural region of France. Holidaymakers can enjoy the fine sandy beaches of the Mediterranean Sea. But also to discover the rich flora and fauna of the region.

The Camargue is famous for its salt ponds, where pink flamingos feed and nest. Visitors can observe many other bird species. Migratory birds are particularly easy to observe from the Pont de gau bird park.

Horses and bulls are also an integral part of Camargue culture, and visitors can attend bull runs and horse shows.

The town of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, 20 minutes from the Grau du Roi Les Jardins de Tivoli campsite, is a Mecca for gypsy culture and the festival of Saint Sara. Camargue seafront campsites also offer easy access to the historic towns of Nîmes and Arles. And at the Camargue nature reserve, where visitors can observe herds of wild horses and bulls.

At your campsite, enjoy indoor swimming pools next to your mobile home, as well as aquatic areas and children’s clubs.

In short, Camargue seafront campsites such as Les Jardins de Tivoli in Le Grau du Roi offer a variety of activities for holidaymakers looking to explore this unique region of France.

Discover the Camargue’s patron saint

Sainte Sara la Noire is an emblematic figure of the Camargue. This patron saint is venerated by gypsies and pilgrims during the Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer festival.

Legend has it that Sara was a young black slave with mysterious origins. She is said to have accompanied Marie Jacobé and Marie Salomé on their arrival in the Camargue. The latter would have been the first to welcome Jesus on European soil, during his journey to Egypt. Saint Sara is thus considered the patron saint of all travelers and itinerants.

Today, the festival of Sainte Sara is one of Camargue’s must-see events. Every year, it attracts large numbers of visitors for the procession, mass and festivities. The chapel of Sainte Sara is located in the church of Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. It is an important place of worship and meditation for gypsies and pilgrims.

Also known as kali sara la noire, she has become a symbol of the Camargue’s identity. It bears witness to the richness and cultural diversity of this region of southern France.

The feast of Saint Sara at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer

Indeed, this festival is one of the most important events in the Camargue. It is celebrated every year on May 24 and 25 in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, in honor of Saint Sara la Noire, the patron saint of gypsies.

This traditional festival is an opportunity for pilgrims and visitors alike to discover the richness and cultural diversity of the Camargue. For two days, processions, masses, equestrian shows, concerts and entertainment are organized in the streets of the town.

The pilgrims, dressed in their finest traditional costumes, parade in a festive and colorful atmosphere, carrying a statue of Saint Sara on their shoulders. The chapel of Sainte Sara, located in the church of Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, is the main gathering place for pilgrims and the faithful, who come to pay their respects and make offerings.

Sainte Sara’s feast is a time for sharing and conviviality, a testament to the attachment of the people of the Camargue to their history and cultural heritage.

Immerse yourself in traditional Camargue culture by taking part in the festivities of Sainte Sara la noire!
Book your camping accommodation at our Grau du Roi les Jardins de Tivoli campsite.