Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer

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Revision as of 21:33, 19 November 2013

Saintes Maries de la Mer

(Click links for more information)
	42°43.6′N, 03°02.5′E
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet
Port Gardian marina - Click for larger view]]

Saintes Maries de la Mer is situated on the Mediterranean coast of France at the centre of the famous Camargue region. A port since Roman times, it is the perfect harbour for exploring the magnificent landscape of the Camargue, enjoying the thrills of a Camargue bullfight (in which the bull is NOT killed) or experiencing the local cuisine of 'taureau' steaks (massive slabs of bull). The name of the town comes from the legend of the three Marys, Mary Salome, Mary Jacobe, and Mary Magdalene, who were believed locally to have sailed from Alexandria in Egypt with their uncle Joseph of Arimathea and landed here on the French coast. According to the legend, they were accompanied by St. Sarah, the dark-skinned daughter of Mary Magdalene, whose image and story is now revered by the local Roma or gypsies. An annual gypsy festival is held in the town in honour of Sarah each May and long queues form to kiss her image in the local, 10th century fortress-like church. The town's shallow harbour can usually accommodate visiting yachts of no more than 1.25 - 1.5 metres draft on one of its 500 moorings. Shelter is good, although the mistral whistles through the harbour like a banshee when it is at full strength.

Charts

Imray

M14 Mediterranean Spain and France

British Admiralty

1705 Cabo de San Sebastian to Iles d'Hyeres

2114 Ports in the Golfe de Lyon

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

Local Weather

Local weather consists mainly of coastal seabreezes during the summer. However, it is important to be alert to the possibility of a mistrale blowing up, when winds can hurtle down the Rhone valley for several days at up to force 9.

Sources for Weather forecasts:

• VHF
  • Continuous forecast on channel 23
  • Channel 80 (0803 – 1333 – 2003)
• NAVTEX - Cross La Garde (W)
• INTERNET
  • Meteo France (in French)
  • GMDSS Weather
  • Met Marine
  • Passageweather.com Passage Weather
  • eurometeo.com Meteomar
  • Weather Online
  • Maries Windfinder

Approach and Navigation

Like most harbours along this coast, Saintes Maries entrance is hard to identify, especially if coming from the west, when it can be confused with the entrance to Le Petit Rhone a mile before the port. Once safely past the Petit Rhone entrance, the channel leading to Port Gardian is marked by yellow buoys during the season. The entry channel is narrow and depths were reported in January 2009 to have silted to as little as 1.5 metres. Larger yachts should check current depths by calling the port office on +33(0) 468 805 102 before attempting to enter (the maximum boat length is 13 metres). Depths in the marina range from 1.5 to 2.5 metres.

Berthing optionss

Berth in the small marina where instructed. The arrivals pontoon is immediately inside the entrance to starboard.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

Marina plan

The marina of Port Gardian, while small, usually has space for a few visitors among its 487 berths. However, it is wise to call ahead, especially in high season (telephone: +33(0) 468 805 102), as the marina fills up very quickly. Yachts moor stern to pontoons, taking their bow lines to posts (or the reverse if desired). This is a common berthing arrangement in harbours where the full force of the mistral is experienced and you will be glad of the posts if you are unlucky enough to get one. Water and electricity are available at all berths and the marina has the usual toilet and shower facilities. There is a small liftout area and a 15T crane.

Anchorages

None. It's the marina or nothing

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

Submit addresses and contact details of marine related businesses that are of interest to cruisers.

Repairs/Yards

Only very basic repairs possible.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel

No fuel

Water

On the pontoons

Electricity

On the pontoons

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

One could easily spend a fortnight in Saintes Maries and still not exhaust the possibilities. The town itself is historic and charming, but much of the attraction lies in getting out of town (a bicycle is a great advantage) to explore the inland lagoons, where herds of wild Camargue horses will be seen, or to visit inland villages dozing in the sun. On the way, you can watch the colourful flamingos and other birdlife, inspect the verdant rice paddies or even saddle up for a ride at one of the many establishments offering 'promenade au cheval'. Once all that begins to pall, you can catch a bus to Nimes to see the wonderfully preserved Roman amphitheatre and temple or to Arles, another important settlement during Roman times and memorable as the city in which Vincent Van Gogh painted numerous scenes before embarking on some DIY plastic surgery. If you are lucky, you may even get to see a Camargue bullfight, more civilised than the brutal Spanish version, in which athletic local youths compete to gather brass rings from the horns of wild Camargue bulls. The bulls get to live another day, sweaty and frustrated but alive.

Gallery

The town of Saintes Maries	Camargue bullfight
A typical Camargue landscape	The Roman amphitheatre at Nimes

Grocery & Supply Stores

Good supermarket and other shops in the town.

Eateries

Try the famous local beefsteak, simply grilled with herbes de Provence. If nothing else, it'll fire you up for the bullring ...

Internet/WiFi

Available?

Laundry

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Garbage Disposal

Bins in the marina.

Transportation

Transportation (local and/or international)

Routes/Passages To/From

List popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

• Saintes Maries de la Mer

References & Publications

See France.

Personal Notes

• We were stuck - if that's the word - in Saintes Maries for nearly a week with a fierce mistrale and didn't regret a moment. In over 25 years of cruising, it would definitely be in our top five or six places to revisit before we finally swallow the anchor --Athene of Lymington

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

• June 2002 --Atheneoflymington

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