Coquille St Jacques black  The cockle shell / coquille St Jacques is the traditional emblem and badge of pilgrims to the shrine of St James at Santiago de Compostella in northern Spain. Shells are also collected by pilgrims to Le Mont St Michel in northern France. This shell was collected from the beach / plage at Les Saintes Maries de la Mer, southern France. Les Saintes Maries de la Mer is thought to be where St Martha and the two Marys landed after leaving the Holy Land. St Martha is venerated by the gypsies, and is thought to be the forerunner of the black madonnas. It is curious that all of the shells on this beach are black... See also Le Mont St Michel
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