Pilgrimage of the Gypsies to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer

The largest Gypsy gathering in Europe

The Pilgrimage of the Gypsies to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer is a spiritual and cultural event of exceptional scale. Every year, on May 24th and 25th, thousands of Gypsies, Roma, Manouches, and Travelers from all over Europe and the world gather in this small commune in Camargue, at the gateway to the Rhône delta, to honor Saint Sarah, their patron saint, and the Saintes Maries Jacobé and Salomé. This pilgrimage, which attracts over 10,000 people each year, is one of the most important religious gatherings in Europe.

Saint Sarah, the Black Virgin of the Gypsies

Saint Sarah, also known as Sara the Black or Sara-la-Kali, is venerated as the patron saint of Gypsies and Travelers. According to tradition, she was the servant of the Saintes Maries, who arrived in Provence by sea in the first century AD. Her statue, kept in the crypt of the fortified Church of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, is at the heart of the pilgrimage. Adorned with robes and jewels offered by pilgrims, she is venerated throughout the year in the crypt bathed in candlelight.

Processions to the sea

The pilgrimage takes place over two days, centered around two solemn processions to the sea. On the morning of May 24th, a solemn mass is celebrated in the fortified church. In the afternoon, the ceremony of the descent of the relics precedes the procession of Sara: the statue of the Black Virgin is carried out of the crypt by the Gypsies who invoke her as their patron saint, traversing the village streets in a procession full of emotion to the beach, where she is dipped into the sea in a symbolic gesture of purification and blessing.

On May 25th, after the morning mass, the Boat of the Saintes Maries—containing the relics of Saintes Maries Jacobé and Salomé—is carried in procession to the sea, escorted by horse-riding gardians, women in traditional Arlesian costumes, and a huge crowd of pilgrims and visitors. This striking procession, where faith, tradition, and folklore mingle, is one of the most emblematic moments of Provençal and Camarguais culture.

A spiritual and family event

Beyond the processions, the pilgrimage is a time for family reunions for the Gypsy and Roma communities. Many children's baptisms are celebrated during the pilgrimage, and families gather for moments of sharing, music, and prayer. The atmosphere in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer during these days is unique: religious fervor, Gypsy music, colorful costumes, and human warmth blend into a spectacle of rare intensity.

A living heritage since the Middle Ages

The origins of the pilgrimage date back to the Middle Ages, but it was in 1935 that the procession of Sara the Black was officially recognized, thanks to the efforts of the Marquis de Baroncelli, an emblematic figure of Camarguais culture. Since then, the pilgrimage has continued to grow, becoming a symbol of the cultural and spiritual diversity of Provence. It is a major element of Provençal intangible heritage and a living testament to the coexistence of religious and popular traditions.