In Southern Provencal tradition, the Black Madonna is associated with St. Sara, the patron saint of the Gypsies. Sara is an historical enigma whose many legends make it difficult to solve the mystery of her origin. In The Legend of the Saintes-Maries, written in 1521, Vincent Philippon writes that Sara lived and traveled through the Camargue to provide for the needs of a small Christian community. Thus, the practice of begging for alms performed by Sara gave early writers a reason to make Sara a gypsy, or Gitane.

One Carmargue tradition says that she was the housemaid for Mary-Jacobe and Mary-Salome and Lazarus in Palestine. According to local legend, when the Marys and Lazarus were sent out to sea in a small boat during the persecution of Christians by the Jews, they left Sarah behind. She cried out and one of the Mary's threw her coat onto the water. Sara stepped onto the coat and it bore her to the boat. They landed safely on the shore at the present Stes. Maries-de-la-Mer. Lazarus made his way to Marseilles to evangelize and the Marys stayed in the area between Taracson/Arles and the Camargue. The 9th century church was built to accommodate pilgrims visiting the shrine at the site where the Marys were buried. Recent excavations of the crypt indicate that, indeed, the bones are those of an Egyptian woman from about the 1st century.

Another tradition, ascribed to by the local gypsy tradition says that Sara was a Gitane, (some say 'Egyptian') woman living on the banks of the Provençal River and that she rescued the Saintes-Maries from a storm at sea.

Other stories that have been proposed are: That Sara was an Egyptian, the abbess of a large convent in Libya who accompanied the three Marys to France when they fled from the Holy Land after the Crucifixion; that Sara figured prominently among a group of Persian martyrs and that she, with the two Maries and Martha, arrived in Gaul by ship. There is also an 11th century apocryphal text that presents Sara discovering, with Martha and the two Marys, the empty tomb of Jesus, and leaving to announce with the Apostles the news of the Resurrection of the Christ.

Whatever her mysterious history, today a cult of St. Sara persists at Les Saintes Maries de la Mer, a little village on the Mediterranean, and one of the earliest Magdalene sites in France. Although she was never conferred sainthood by the Catholic Church, the legend of Sara was adopted by the local chapel of Saintes-Maries de la Mer.

There is a treasure of living history in the gypsy culture of Stes. Maries-de-la-Mer. The gypsies have a long history in Europe. History records that they left India as a group of nomads around 900AD, reached Persia in 950, and were in Egypt by 1230. By 1370 the gypsies, or Gitans, as they are called in France, were totally enslaved in Romania. They arrived in Stes. Maries-de-la-Mer in 1438 and Spain in 1539. While most of the family groups still speak a mix of Romanian and Sanskrit, those from Spain speak Spanish. History records that the Catholics cut out their tongues during the Inquisition so they couldn't speak Romanian.

Each year on the 24th of May as the gypsies converge upon Stes Maries-de-la-Mer, they are welcomed to the 9th century fortified Romanesque church and the St. Sarah Crypt. Their purpose is to pay respect to Sara-la-Kali, or Sara the Black. They do not ask questions about Sara's authenticity, but come by the thousands from around the world to this little village for baptisms, family reunions, and other events. Everywhere are the bejeweled women in long, colorful skirts, full white blouses, and kerchiefs.

The frail gold leaf statues of Sara and the Marys are carried by specially chosen men in a solemn procession, accompanied by Camargue gardians on horseback, to the sea for prayers and veneration. The narrow streets of Saintes-Maries de la Mer overflow as Arlésiennes honor the escort as well. However, it is the Gitans that sing hymns untiringly and shout thousands of times, "Vive Saint Sara!"

TOUR INCLUDES:
- Private transfer from hotel to station in Paris (porterage at hotel) with an English-speaking driver
- 1st class train ticket from Paris to Arles
- English-speaking driver
- Private transfer from Arles station to hotel in Saintes-Maries de la Mer
- 3 nights accommodation at the Provence style Thalacap Camargue Spa hotel, about 500 meters from the village center - includes breakfast and dinner daily (dinner 3 courses, without drinks)
- Private transfer from Saintes-Maries de la Mer to Marseille airport for flight to Paris

NOT INCLUDED:
- Porterage at stations or airport
- Pre-Paid Gratuities

In the evening you can visit the crypt of Sara in the antique fortified Romanesque sanctuary of the little village. Bring a candle to add to the white fiery forest that spreads in the crypt of the chapel. Near the statue of Sara-la-K‰li, you can leave a note with intention, or an offering of your choice. You may see linens and clothing of children, humble jewels, abandoned crutches, and the robes that are placed on the statue and accumulate day to day.
Dinner at the hotel. Overnight St. Maries de la Mer.

Day 2. Saturday, May 24. St. Maries de la Mer - B/D
Attend festival activities OR perhaps visit any of the following:
1. The Baroncelli Museum, with displays and information on the history and traditions of the village
2. The Pioch Badet Tzigane Museum
3. The Ornithological Park.
4. The nearby Launes Pond and salt marshes, with the fauna and flora of Camargue
5. Take a walk along the Port Gardian, the fishing and boating port of St. Maries
Other possible activities in the area: water sports; public beaches; horseback riding; dinner shows with bulls and riding; arenas, bull fights, races; mountain biking (rentals possible); walking trails through the plains; tennis; sea water therapy; theater.
Dinner at the hotel. Overnight St. Maries de la Mer.

Day 3. Sunday, May 25. St. Maries de la Mer - B/D
Another day for Festival activities and/or to explore the area.
Dinner at the hotel. Overnight St. Maries de la Mer.

Day 4. Monday, May 26. St. Marie de la Mer/Marseille/Paris/US
Private transfer to airport in Marseille for flight to Paris. Connect with our international departure to the U.S.; arrive same day.