Saintes Marie de la Mer gypsy invasion (1 Viewer)

[lunarman]

We arrived here yesterday planning to stay for several days. When booking into camping brises the management said if we were planning to stay more than 3 days then we should go elsewhere.
As from tomorrow the site will be filled with gypsies.
It seems that saintes Marie is a sacred place to the gypsies and on 24/25 may there is a big religious festival.
Walking into the town this morning and every available space is being occupied by gypsies. The council us effectively blocking get roads to wide vehicles and aires are being filled with caravans.
So anyone coming this way in the next 2 weeks be aware.
@scotjimland anything you want to know out the site ask before we leave tomorrow.

Lunarman

 

[Taran_Las]

Do they use Pilotes these days?​

 

[mitzimad]

Do they use Pilotes these days?​

no they know the way

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[Viennese]

Would love to see this festival... they come from all over Europe for this

 

[scotjimland]

@scotjimland anything you want to know out the site ask before we leave tomorrow.

thanks for info ..

not specifically .. other than to ask how you rate the site.. size of pitches, cleanliness of facilities etc .. anything else you think useful to know..

cheers

 

[lunarman]

thanks for info ..

not specifically .. other than to ask how you rate the site.. size of pitches, cleanliness of facilities etc .. anything else you think useful to know..

cheers

I had a walk around the site, the pitches are arranged in bays of 6 and are of a reasonable size. However there is nothing separating the individual plots, they are just marked with a numbered plate, They are mixed standing type, some grass some and and others gravel. For some reason they also send to have planted trees in the middle of some plots.
There are 2 pools but at the moment they are empty of water so cannot comment on them.
There is a shop which is closed at the moment so don't know what it sells.
The sanitary blocks look old but have recently been refurbished and are spotlessly clean at the moment.
From the reception it is a 5 minute walk to the town. It may take you 5 minute to walk to the reception if you are in the outer region of the site.

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[magicsurfbus]

Do they still have the MH only compound to the right of the main entrance? We stopped on one of the main site pitches a couple of years ago. The town is indeed a gypsy mecca - home of their patron saint or something. Hot as Hades in August.

 

[TheBig1]

it all dates back to the story of Mary Magdelene fleeing the holy land and landing in europe. True romanies are very religious

 

[magicsurfbus]

One unusual thing you can do at Saintes-Maries is walk on the church roof and sit up on the ridge tiles to admire the view. Down the coastal cycle track to the East of the campsite are ponds with wild flamingoes in. Don't get downwind of them though, they stink to high heaven. That cycle track through the salt marshes in August is the hottest driest place I've ever been - it just sucks the moisture out of you.

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[snowdrops]

We're are aiming for there mid June. What site are you on ? I've earmarked 2 ACSI sites and wld be interested. Obvs the mozzies will be rife by then but worth it. Festival must be amazing !!!

 

[Taran_Las]

What's the current weather status there John?