Les Stes Maries de la Mer

Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer (originally known as Ratis) in the Carmague region of the Gard, southern France, is thought to be where the three Marys and Sarah - their black servant - landed after leaving the Holy Land. One Mary is thought to have left Ratis, while the other two remained here with Sarah.

Sainte Sarah / l'Egyptienne - although not herself a black madonna - is greatly venerated, especially by the gypsies. On the 24th May they dress the statue of Ste Sarah - which becomes a little wider each year as the layers increase - before carrying her in procession to the sea. The following day the statues of the two Maries are carried to the sea, accompanied by the bishop.

Ean Begg in The Cult of the Black Virgin tells us that it is here in the church crypt of Sara-la-Kâli that the gypsies elect their queen.

In 1449 the former church nave was demolished to open the crypt, where a stone altar was found. This was known as l'oreiller des Saintes (pillow) or altar of Juno.

It is curious that Shell sportelles collected at Les Saintes Maries de la Mer are almost always black... See also Le Mont St Michel

At nearby Maillane in the valley of the Rhone is one of the many black madonnas to be found in Provence: Notre Dame de Grâce / Notre Dame de Bethléem.

Saintes Maries de la Mer is a major stage on the Chemin St Jacques / Way of St James pilgrim route to the shrine of St James at Santiago de Compostella in northern Spain.