Place des Gitans, Square in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, France
Place des Gitans is a small open square in the center of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, a coastal town in the Camargue in southern France. Narrow streets from the old town lead directly to it, and the surrounding buildings are low, painted in warm tones, with a few cafes and small shops along the edges.
Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer has been a pilgrimage site for Roma from across Europe since the Middle Ages, drawing them to venerate Saint Sara, whose statue is kept in the local church. Over time, this square became a fixed meeting point for those communities as they returned year after year.
The Place des Gitans takes its name from the Roma pilgrims who have gathered in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer for generations during the May pilgrimage. Around the square, visitors can hear flamenco guitar, hand drums, and traditional singing that often start without warning.
The square is easy to reach on foot from anywhere in the old town, as it sits right at the heart of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. During the May pilgrimage, the whole area gets very busy, so arriving early in the morning gives a calmer visit.
The procession honoring Saint Sara does not start at the square but in the crypt of the church nearby, where her statue is draped year-round with cloth offerings left by pilgrims from across Europe. These layers of fabric are renewed each year, making the statue almost invisible beneath them.
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