TouchScreenTravels

Our Touch, your Travels…

This is a preview of the full content of our Provence’s Best app.

Please consider downloading this app to support small independent publishing and because:

All content is designed for mobile devices and works best there.
Detailed in-app maps will help you find sites using your device’s GPS.
The app works offline (one time upgrade required on Android versions).
All advertising (only present on Android versions) can be removed.

The app will also allow you to:

Add custom locations to the app map (your hotel…).
Create your own list of favourites as you browse.
Search the entire contents using a fast and simple text-search tool.
Make one-click phone calls (on phones).

Stes-Maries-de-la-Mer

A shrine for travellers

This curiously named village of Les-Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer in the Camargue has an interesting history and some even more interesting legends associated with it.

Dan Brown – have you been here?

Originally known as 'Ra', legend has it that following the resurrection of Christ, the three Marys, Magdelene, Jacobe and Salome were cast adrift from Alexandria with Joseph of Arimathea and their servant Sara. Their boat eventually fetched up at Ra and the place became known as Nôtre-Dame-de-Ratis. The St Marys travelled throughout Provence and references, particularly to Mary Magdelene, are quite common.

Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer became a focal point for the local Roma (Gypsy) population who gather each year on May 24th to honour Saint Sara. The fortified church contains relics of the Saints and is a pilgrimage centre. Popular with artists and writers during the early 20th Century the village is now a must see destination for visitors to the nearby Camargue.

Practical Info Practical Info icon

Office de Tourisme (this entry’s map location): 5 Avenue Van Gogh, 13460 Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, Bouches-du-Rhône.

Tourism Website

Arles

Images by Paul Shawcross