Does anyone know the dates of the gypsy festival held towards the end of May in Les-Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer? I understand that thousands of gypsies converge here to honor La Vierge Noire, the black virgin.

Is it safe?

I feel like I'm in that movie with Dustin Hoffman and the dentist!

Thanks.
Edna

Hi Edna,

Here's a link to a good website with great info about this subject -- click here. The site gives dates at the end of May, but it may be that the site's information is from some year in the past. I think by googling you can find a link to tourism officials who can tell you this year's dates.

But have you been to Saintes-Maries? It's very small, and the roads in are few and narrow, so my guess is that you'd spend most of the day in a traffic jam.

Have fun!

Libbie

Great site Libbie, thanks for that.

According to the Guide Gallimard, the Gypsie Festival takes place the entire week leading up to May 24/25. May 24 is for the celebration of Saint Sarah and the 25th for celebrating the Saint Maries.

We've never been, but have heard it is a lot of fun, but crowded. If you go down there, try to swing by Aigues-Mortes - a tremendous town, especially for history buffs....

Hi Kevin,

I thought of Aigues-Mortes too, so I'm glad you mentioned it. I found it more fun than Saintes-Maries (although I wasn't at S-M during the festival). Aigues-Mortes is such an unusual town, physically and historically, that it's worth seeing.

Libbie

I think the square in Aigues-Mortes is one of the most beautiful in all France.....and I'll be there a week from today

StCirq -

Any interest in a GTG - would love to meet the person behind all those informative posts.....

So it looks like I'll be near Les Saintes Maries de la Mer the likely week of the festival, assuming that it's the week of May 16 to 23. Does anybody know if it's possible to hike or bike along the coast between Port Camargue and Les Saintes Maries de la Mer?

Kevin:

I'm going to be taking a group to Aigues-Mortes and Arles next Tuesday. Should you care to meet me in either location, I'd love it. I'll also be in Maussane with PBProvence for a couple of days after that, then in the Drôme area for a couple of days, then to Paris on Easter. Where are you, exactly?

By the way, I'm leaving for the airport in a couple of hours, but feel free to e-mail me directly at StCirq@aol.com.

Mellen

StCirq -

We're just outside St. Saturnin Les Apt -
about 5 miles east of Roussillon and just north of Apt. Been meaning to go over and visit PBProvence one of these days. Perhaps it will work out next week. I'll call there if it looks like we'll be in the area....

Bon voyage!

One of the gypsy kings (of the famous group) father is king of the gypsies at that fete.

If you go to Aigues Morte, a place I like is "La Camargue"and you'll be entertained by gysy kings wannabes as you dine.