Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer

PHOTOGRAPHY

Aug 12

Photographer Michéa Nathan captures the soul of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer during its annual pilgrimage. Each May, this small Mediterranean village becomes a meeting point for faith and tradition, as thousands gather to honor Saint Sarah the Black in a celebration that unites communities through music, devotion, and shared heritage.

Photography Michéa Nathan

This series documents the annual pilgrimage of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, a small Mediterranean village of 2,500 inhabitants that swells sixteenfold each May 24th. For centuries, it has been the heart of a major Gypsy pilgrimage, bringing together Manouches, Roma, Gitans, Yeniches, and other Traveller communities from across Europe to honor Saint Sarah the Black, their patron saint.

At the village’s core stands the fortified church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Mer. In its crypt, bathed in candlelight, rests the statue of Saint Sarah, a focal point of devotion. The highlight comes on Saturday afternoon, when the richly adorned statue is carried in a vibrant procession through the streets, an act of profound faith and a powerful affirmation of cultural identity.

For one weekend, the town transforms: music and laughter fill the air, cafés spill over with life, and the unity of the Romani community radiates beyond its own circle, drawing in visitors and strangers alike. Witnessing this celebration felt like a privilege, not only to observe communities setting aside differences to honor shared traditions, but also to be welcomed in and entrusted to capture these moments of joy, spirituality, and belonging.

“Witnessing this celebration felt like a privilege, not only to observe communities setting aside differences to honor shared traditions, but also to be welcomed in and entrusted to capture these moments of joy, spirituality, and belonging.”

About Michéa

Nathan is a 25-year-old photographer from Toulouse, France. Drawn to street photography’s ability to reveal hidden stories, he explores cities with his analog cameras, seeking fleeting moments others overlook. Influenced by contemporary photographers, he aims to capture the beauty, intensity, and humanity found in life’s unscripted scenes.

To see more of his work follow him on Instagram

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Photographer Michéa Nathan captures the soul of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer during its annual pilgrimage. Each May, this small Mediterranean village becomes a meeting point for faith and tradition, as thousands gather to honor Saint Sarah the Black in a celebration that unites communities through music, devotion, and shared heritage.

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Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer

“Witnessing this celebration felt like a privilege, not only to observe communities setting aside differences to honor shared traditions, but also to be welcomed in and entrusted to capture these moments of joy, spirituality, and belonging.”

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