Church of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer

Church of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer is in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, France and is a historic Camargue pilgrimage church famous for annual processions honouring the Saintes Maries and St. Sara, especially the pilgrimage of Roma and Travellers.. The fortified Romanesque church took shape in the medieval period, and Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer is documented by the local tourism authority as a pilgrimage place since the 12th century.

Excavations ordered by King René in 1448 uncovered remains that were subsequently venerated as those of Mary Jacobe and Mary Salome. The principal pilgrimages now take place in May, October and December. Architecturally, the site is principally Provençal Romanesque.

Local Christian tradition says that Mary Jacobe, Mary Salome and Sara reached the Camargue by a boat after persecution in the eastern Mediterranean. The tourism authority itself presents this first-century arrival as tradition. Sara is especially honoured during the May pilgrimage associated with Roma and Traveller communities.

Religious life or devotional practice associated with the site includes Mass, relic veneration, and processions. Recorded observances include May pilgrimage, October pilgrimage, and December relic pilgrimage.