Gitan girls kiss the statues of Marie Salome and Marie Jacobe, the cousins of Mary Magdalene, who are thought to have arrived here on the Camargue shores in a rudderless boat, swept across the mediterranean sea from Palestine and hunted by the Romans.
Europe, France, Camargue, Saintes Maries de la Mer. Gypsies praying inside the church and crypt, to their patron Saint Sara and to the Saintes Maries. Marie Jacobe and Marie Salome. Catholic gypsies come from all over Europe to celebrate this festival in mid-May every year. There are many masses, christenings and private prayers during the gypsy pilgrimmage.