Contemplate the Saintes from the roof of the church

Duration of the circuit: 30 min

53 steps of a spiral staircase lead to the roof of Notre Dame de la Mer. From this original viewpoint, the horizon opens up on all sides: 360° with an incomparable view of the village and the entire Camargue. 'offer to you.

At the top of the narrow spiral staircase with worn treads, an opening the size of a small man opens onto a walkway. Built in the 12th century on the remains of older buildings, the church of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer was fortified in the 14th century to protect the population from incursions by "barbarians". If you turn around after a few steps, you notice that you have arrived by a square tower with a crenellated top, quite in the style of those of chess sets. Along the rampart, several loopholes made it possible to keep the invader at bay. As for the massive-looking bell tower that stands in front of you, it rests on a sort of keep.

On your left, the roof stretches out in a succession of slabs superimposed on a gentle slope, which gives it the shape of a vast staircase. You can safely climb to the top. The panorama then unfolds in all its splendor: in front of you the Baronceli museum, recognizable by its turret topped with a dome, and then the arenas, the mauve tint of the pond of the imperialists responds to the gray blue of the pond of the launes, whose wrinkled surface extends to your left. The wind, the sun, the view of the calm expanse of the sea and the small white and moving spots formed by the waves invite you to relax and take your time before returning to the exit by the right next to the bell tower. You will notice a closed door on your left, it leads to the Upper Chapel where the Shrine containing the Relics of the Saints is kept.

Continue in style: walk to the Croix de Camargue. From the harbor master's office, take the elevated promenade which runs along the Aigues-Mortes road, between the penultimate and the last Gardian's Cabin which is on the other side, a small path leads towards the cross. (15 min walk).