Events in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
The year is punctuated by numerous events where locals and travelers meet for an evening or over several days. The Camargue culture is evident in each of the events organized in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. To find out more about these cultural gatherings, we invite you to visit the reception of our charming hotel!
FEBRUARY - Camargue Horse Show
The Hôtel Les Palmiers is a partner of the Salon du CHEVAL which takes place every year at the MAS DE LA CURE in CAMARGUE: presentation of breeding horses and horses available for sale, Dressage, Education and Handling Competition, Horse Shoeing and Sorting Competition, Riding Test for the CAMARGUE Breed Championship...
A must-see place for lovers of the Camargue horse!
MAY - Gypsy Festival
Roma, Manouches, Gypsies and Gitans come from all over Europe, and even from other continents, to venerate their Saint, Sara the Black. They settle in the streets, in the squares, by the sea. The pilgrimage is also an opportunity for reunions and most of the children are baptized in the church of the Saints.
Following the descent of the shrines on May 24, the statue of Sara is carried by the gypsies to the sea to symbolize the expectation and the welcome of the Saintes Maries by Sara, patron saint of the gypsies. The procession then returns to the church to the joy of cheers, musical instruments and the ringing of the church bells. The statue of Sara is in the crypt of the church, to the right of the altar, dressed in multi-colored dresses and jewelry.
JUNE - Votive festival
As in most villages in these areas of forts, the village of Saintes Maries de la Mer has its Fête Votive, generally organized around the third weekend of June.
The young people and the "festaïres" of the village then liven up the streets and squares, dressed in the colors of the Festival, they measure themselves against the bulls during abrivado, bandido and improvised bullfights.
The village is transformed into a vast playground around a funfair, the penas and folk groups bring a musical note to the crazy atmosphere that invades the streets.
Eagerly awaited by the Camargue people, the Fête Votive gives vacationers the opportunity to discover local traditions by sharing a good mood and a festive atmosphere, communicative.
JULY - Horse Fair
For over 20 years, around July 14, Saintes Maries has become the meeting place for Equestrian Arts. For three days, the Horse is the undisputed king of the Festival. The unifying concept of this Feria draws its source from the very identity of the town of Saintes Maries and the Camargue. The Horse, the Bull and Gypsy Music are its pillars and deeply inspire the programming of the shows presented. Presentation of horses, Parades, Equestrian Book and Film Fair, Noche flamenca, enliven the streets and sites of the village. In the arenas, Rejon Corrida on horseback and Equestrian shows with the most prestigious artists follow one another.
"A Midsummer Night's Dream in the Camargue" has become a key element of the July Feria, presenting in the natural environment of the Cacharel road a free sound and light show featuring hundreds of extras around a Camargue legend.
NOVEMBER - Abrivado Festival
Come to the beach of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer to discover a unique show made up of more than 1,000 horses and 200 herdsmen. This extraordinary show is a must for all lovers of bullfighting, bullfighting and equestrian traditions. All day long, discover this unique event which is today, like one of the largest abrivado festivals in the south of France.