The events

Events in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer

The year is punctuated by many events where locals and travelers meet for an evening or over several days. The Camargue culture stands out in each of the events organized in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. To find out more about these cultural gatherings, we invite you to meet at the reception of our charming hotel!

February 2022
February 2022

Camagri Horse Fair

The Hotel Les Palmiers is a partner of the Salon du CHEVAL which takes place every year at MAS DE LA CURE in CAMARGUE: presentation of breeding horses and horses available for sale, Dressage, Education and Handling Competition, Ferrade Competition and Sorting of livestock, Mounted Test for the Championship of the CAMARGUE breed ...

A must-see place for lovers of the Camargue horse!

May 24 and 25

Gypsies Festival

Roma, Manouches, Gypsies and Gypsies arrive from all over Europe, and even from other continents, to venerate their Saint, Sara la Noire. They settle in the streets, in the squares, by the sea. The pilgrimage is also an opportunity for reunions and most of the children are baptized in the Church of the Saints.

Following the lowering of the shrines on May 24, the statue of Sara is carried by the gypsies to the sea to symbolize the expectation and welcome of the Saintes Maries by Sara, patroness of the gypsies. The procession then returns to the church in the joy of cheers, musical instruments and the chime of church bells. The statue of Sara is in the crypt of the church, to the right of the altar, dressed in multicolored dresses and jewels.

May 24 and 25
June
June

Votive festival

As in most villages in these fortified areas, the village of Saintes Maries de la Mer has its Votive Festival, generally organized around the third weekend of June.

The young people and the "festaïres" of the village then animate the streets and squares, dressed in the colors of the Festival, they measure themselves against the bulls during abrivado, bandido and improvised bullfights.

The village is transformed into a vast playground around a carnival, the penas and folk groups bring a musical note to the crazy atmosphere that invades the streets.

Long-awaited by the Camargue people, the Fête Votive gives holidaymakers the opportunity to discover local traditions by sharing a good mood and a festive, communicative atmosphere.

July 14th

Horse fair

For more than 20 years, around July 14, the Saintes Maries have become the meeting place for the Equestrian Arts. For three days, the Horse is then the undisputed king of the Festival. The unifying concept of this Féria draws its source from the very identity of the city of Saintes Maries and the Camargue. The Horse, the Bull and Gypsy Music are the pillars and deeply inspire the programming of the shows presented. Presentation of horses, Parades, Equestrian Book and Film Fair, Noche flamenca, enliven the streets and sites of the village. At the bullring, follow one another Corrida de Rejon on horseback and Horse shows with the most prestigious artists.

"Dream of a Night in the Camargue" has become a key element of the July Feria, presenting in the natural environment of the road to Cacharel a free sound and light show featuring hundreds of extras around a Camargue legend.

July 14th
November 10 and 11
November 10 and 11

Abrivado Festival

Meet on the beach of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer to discover a unique spectacle made up of more than 1,000 horses and 200 herdsmen. This extraordinary show is a must for all lovers of the beef, bullfighting and equestrian tradition. Throughout the day, discover this unique event which today is one of the biggest abrivado festivals in the south of France.