En Camargue...Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-mer

Just an hour away from Avignon is a beautiful nature preserve called Camargue. Acres of swamp lands, wild flamingos and horses, and of course, bulls. Within this natural heartland is a hopping, touristy spot called Les Saintes-Marie-de-la-mer. This town gives off a Spanish vibe, everywhere you turn there are signs warning you of danger of a possible bull fight. The people are plentiful, the food is good (I tried bull here for the first time), and the water is fresh. The Mediterranean Sea, once referred to by the Romans as Mare Nostrum (“Our Sea”), is absolutely stunning.

Like most beaches, the hot sand feels amazing between your toes and with the sun kissing your face, it’s a paradise. In the town, it’s very, very crowded. Tiny streets with hundreds of tourists swarming around you; nonetheless, I found an amazing spot—Église des Saintes Maries. Here, you can climb to the roof of the cathedral and sunbathe as well as take pictures (I did both). Now, when I say roof, I mean it. You’re on stone, inclined roof (which I slipped on several times). It was kind of scary because those of you who’ve seen European Cathedrals, know how big they are; nevertheless, it was incredible and aside from the beach, it was my favorite spot in Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-mer.