Sergio Purtell: “Saintes Maries de la Mer”, France, 1984 © Sergio Purtell

(Les) Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer (France, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Camargue Natural Parc) became famous by the paintings of Vincent van Gogh. Later in the 1950s and 60s the French new “Bohème”, occupied the place because in some summer nights spontaneous flamenco festivals developed on the streets and on the Mediterranean beach. But then Sainte Marie-de-la-Mer grew rapidly from 680 to about 2,500 inhabitants, and during the summer months the number of people triples. In the meantime no inhabitants works as a fisherman or farmer anymore, the earn their money in the tourisme industry.

Ask for more photos by Sergio Purtell