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Topic: Saintes Maries De La Mer

valkrider

30/5/2015 at 10:51pm
Location: norfolk
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Has anyone been to Saintes Maries de la Mer on the Med coast.
I can see on Google Earth that there's plenty of places to eat and park, but I can't really see if the beach is sandy or small stones.

Anyone know, as I'm looking at a day trip while down that way.

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David Klyne

31/5/2015 at 12:11am
Location: Milton Keynes
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We went there in 2003 for a day out and I don't recall the beach at all. I do remember climbing up onto the roof of the church!!!

David

happybonzo

31/5/2015 at 7:10am
Location: Ndidis Kraal
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This may give you an idea what to expect... The Canal-Windsurfing speed Records

Tripadvisor is worth a look. I can't remember when I was last there but by the wind did blow

ukdeniro

31/5/2015 at 7:21am
Location: Cornwall
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we spent the afternoon there in 2012 and I'm sure the beach was sandy as we went for a swim in the sea and I don't recollect sitting on any pebbles.

We didn't go up the church tower though!

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Berriow

31/5/2015 at 8:53am
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Hi Valkrider, While you are down that way see if you can find your way with the bike to Beauduc, over the other side of the Camargue.

There's nothing but sun and sand there and two cafes. So nowhere near the crowds of people who flock to Stes Maries de la Mer because the last stretch across the marsh to the beach at Beauduc is just a dirt and gravel track.

valkrider

31/5/2015 at 9:12am
Location: norfolk
Outfit: Honda valkyrie.Skandika Milano 6

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Quote: Originally posted by Berriow on 31/5/2015
Hi Valkrider, While you are down that way see if you can find your way with the bike to Beauduc, over the other side of the Camargue.

There's nothing but sun and sand there and two cafes. So nowhere near the crowds of people who flock to Stes Maries de la Mer because the last stretch across the marsh to the beach at Beauduc is just a dirt and gravel track.

Unfortunately not going on the bike, will be in the car as I'll be having a disabled friend following me.
It's his first trip to Europe so I wanted to take him for a day trip to the beach.

I'm hoping to take the bike to Austria in a couple of months.

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Jayemcee

31/5/2015 at 10:06am
Location: South Ayrshire
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Hi Valkrider,
We have visited Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer twice for day trips. The first time it was so busy that we couldn't find anywhere to park, so we gave up and went elsewhere.
A couple of years later we went again, early, on a Tuesday at the beginning of July, and we practically had the place to ourselves! We had been warned to park in a secure car park, by the bullring as it is sometimes a target for thieves. We did so and had a lovely day. We sat on the beach (not brilliant but OK) visited the church and, best of all, took a boat trip along the Rhône, we saw lots of interesting birds, bulls and of course white horses.
Jan

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iwalani

31/5/2015 at 11:38am
Location: East Sussex
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We were there quite a few years ago to see the Gypsy pilgrimage. Gypsies come from all over Europe to pay homage to a particularly revered image in the church - it's an amazing sight. I can't remember the dat but think it was sometime in May.

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Bridie

31/5/2015 at 8:18pm
Location: Hants
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We stayed at the camp site about a mile from Stes Marie's de la Mer a couple of years ago. The village was quite busy in June and a lovely place to spend 21st June for the Fete de la Musique day held all over France for the longest day( midsummer) with singing , instruments and dancing in the streets there. The bull ring is on the beach and the beach is sandy. We also did a lovely boat trip up the mouth of the Rhone and visited the Church, but didn't go up on the roof! Interesting little place .

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bridie

alan29

31/5/2015 at 10:02pm
Location: Wirral
Outfit: Swift Freestyle 520 on seasonal pitch

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I biked there last year. I didn't know what to expect of the Camargue. Its pretty featureless. The only white horses I saw were pretty manky looking animals tethered up for tourists rides.
Ss Marie was pretty unimpressive too. It kind of reminded me of Bognor, but with more heat. Lots of new shops etc for tourists. There was parking all along the Prom - it was needed because the town was chocker. Sandy beach.
I went there because it was the nearest sea to where I was, and I was able to say that I road from the Wirral to the Med in my mid 60s.

Apparently there are heat-seeking ballistic mozzies in the Camargue, but it was too windy when I was there.

Val A

01/6/2015 at 12:26pm
Location: West - North Yorkshire
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The beach is sandy - very, and long, and very accessible from the 'Prom'. There are plenty of places to park generally during the week and away from any Fete days! Try crossing the Rhone on the 'Bac' (primitive ferry crossing) -and if you're lucky and have to wait ten minutes for a ferry then listen to the Camargue guitarist who is oftne in the little cafe to the side (but avoid the coffee there!!)

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bridgeywidge

01/6/2015 at 11:33pm
Location: North Herts
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We went in July 2013 for a day trip from near Avignon.

On the plus side - there is a sandy (dark not golden) sandy beach with rock groynes to break up the presumable surf. Howevcer, it was dead calm when we were there and despite the air temperature up in the 30s, the sea was freezing albeit really clear and shallow: and I grew up swimming in the English Channel... my OH wouldn't go in!

The area is very flat, so not scenic in that respect, but it's kind of an interesting town for it's prominence in Gitanes culture - although that does mean quite alot of people trying to sell things in the town especially near the church.

We didn't get to go on the boat ride up river sadly, but we did stop just outside the town to see flamingos at relatively close range: it felt surreal to see all that pink plumage 'au naturel'. I was also excited to see red rice being grown. The gyspy culture is evident from menus and entertainment in the restaurants.

It's a very white and terracotta and marble town - more redolent (to me) of Spain/Portugal than France but hey, I've not been much to Southern France.

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Do campers 'peg it'?

valkrider

02/6/2015 at 8:07am
Location: norfolk
Outfit: Honda valkyrie.Skandika Milano 6

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Thanks for all the replies. Very helpful.

I'm now not sure if I've picked the right destination but I still might give it a try.

I'll have to have a look on Google Earth and see what other places are close by.

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I can't add years to my life but I can add life to my years

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