The Camargue Festival
Every year in spring, the Festival of the Camargue and the Rhône Delta proposes a varied artistic and scientific program. For a week and throughout the territory, the festival team organizes outings, exhibitions, shows, debates, nature masterclasses and theme workshops around the biodiversity of the aera. A fine selection of entertainment that highlights and promotes the Rhône Delta.
The gypsy pilgrimage at Les Saintes-Maries-de-la Mer
Several times throughout the year, the church of Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer is filled with intense fervor on the occasion of the celebration of Saint Sara, the patron saint of the gypsy people. The great pilgrimage of May combines gypsy fervor with a festive atmosphere punctuated by the sound of guitars and improvised dances. This event brings together more than 30,000 people each year.
The Camargue horse fair
Every year in February, the Association des Éleveurs de Chevaux de Race Camargue (Association of Camargue horse breeders) organise a fair at the Mas de la Cure in the countryside of Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. Three days dedicated to the Camargue horse and local equestrian art.
On the program: meetings with potential buyers, demonstrations of work riding, bull sorting, dressage competitions. It’s a great opportunity to discover the versatility of this small sturdy horse.
The Rencontres de la Photographie d’Arles
It’s the largest photography festival in France, with over 100,000 visitors per year. The program of this event includes nearly 60 exhibitions throughout the territory of Arles. Founded by the famous photographer Lucien Clergue, this festival brings together the greatest names in 8th art and invites you to explore the city and to discover a multitude of artists and activities around photography.
Horses and bulls on the beach
On November 11th every year, the Abrivado festival brings together horse and bull enthusiasts. More than 200 caretakers and 1000 visitors participate in this event on the beaches of Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. You will start the day with breakfast offered on the beach and attend this traditional show that puts the skills of the gardians to the test to contain the bulls always ready to escape.
The Tau bull races
Every year for more than 40 years, from September to October the races of Tau called Marcel Mailhan take place in the arenas of Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. These selection races are organized by the Camargue Regional Natural Park, the Association of the Genealogical Book of the Raço di Biòu, the Saintoises Festivals Organization Committee of Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer in collaboration with the town of Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer.
A pique-nique under a star
You are a nature and food lover? Try a pique-nique under a star at lunchtime. This is what chef Armand Arnal offers from May to October in his garden of the Domaine de la Chassagnette. The chef has been awarded a star by the Guide Michelin. For this pique-nique, he concocts a gourmet basket with vegetables cultivated in permaculture in his garden.