LES STES-MARIES-DE-LA-MER is best known for its annual festival on May 2425, when the town is swamped with Romanies asking favours from their patron Ste-Sarah. It's also a good base from which to explore the Camargue, with plenty of reasonably priced accommodation and restaurants. On the way there you could drop in on the Musée Camarguais (AprilSept daily 9.15am5.45/6.45pm; OctMarch daily except Tues 10.15am4.45pm; €4), halfway between Gimeaux and Albaron, which documents the traditions and livelihoods of the Camarguais people through the centuries, in the old sheep barn of a working farm. At Pont de Gau, just 4km short of Stes-Maries, the Centre d'Information Ginès (AprilSept daily 9am6pm; OctMarch daily except Fri 9.30am5pm; tel 04.90.97.86.32) has exhibitions on the local environment and is the place to go for detailed maps of paths and dykes. Just down the road is the Parc Ornithologique (daily: AprilSept 9amsunset; OctMarch 10amsunset; €6), with some of the less easily spotted birds kept in aviaries, plus trails across a twelve-hectare marsh and a longer walk, all with ample signs and information. Pages in section ‘Stes-Maries’: The Town, Legend of Sarah, Arrival, Hotels, Restaurants.
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