Discover Sainte-Marie-Plage

Sainte-Marie-Plage lies on the Mediterranean coast of Sainte-Marie-la-Mer. Its beach stretches for almost three kilometres and is made up of fine sand.

Beach and access

The central beach is accessible to people with reduced mobility. Check the specific accessibility arrangements again before your trip. Plage du 4ème Épi is near Place L. Guibert. Plage du Camping is considered the wildest and best-preserved beach in the resort; check the seasonal information about lifeguard supervision again before visiting.

On-land activities

The pump track is open year-round and designed for bicycles, scooters, skateboards and roller skates. Another way to get active is at the street workout facilities: they are free and open to both residents and visitors. There are six pieces of fitness equipment in total, including an elliptical trainer, a cross-country skiing machine, and pull and push machines.

Water sports, fishing and nautical training

LE SPOT is a beach club and sailing school. Activities include stand-up paddleboarding, windsurfing, sea kayaking, pedal boats, and wing surfing or wing foiling. Courses, supervised sessions and internships are also offered. Kitesurf School 66 offers lessons and training to help beginners and advanced riders improve.

For sea fishing, there are trips and learning opportunities to choose from. Fishing 66 offers half-day or full-day trips targeting big game fish and sea bass, as well as vertical fishing and fishing for cephalopods. Sea-fishing courses and training sessions are also available. Bateau Ecole offers various types of training on site, with a focus on safety, including training for and issuance of the coastal boat licence. A jet ski licence is also available as part of the training programme.

The marina of Sainte-Marie-la-Mer has 500 berths and eight floating pontoons for boats measuring four to twelve metres in length. These harbour details add a distinct maritime aspect to the town’s beaches and water sports.

History and local life

The history of Sainte-Marie-Plage as a seaside resort began in 1890, when fishermen built huts on the beach to store their equipment. The resort’s origins are therefore directly linked to how the shore was used at the time.

A historical walking tour is planned for 2026, using a discovery and leisure guide and historical panels to reveal details along the seafront and in the village lanes. The Église Notre Dame de l’Assomption is also part of the historical character of the municipality of Sainte-Marie-la-Mer. Its foundations are Romanesque; the central apse is the oldest part of the building and dates from the 13th century.

Markets and seasonal traditions

A Saturday morning market is planned year-round for 2026 at Parking Agora on the seafront. Check the schedule before your trip. Catalan sardanas are scheduled for Fridays and Sundays during the season. As the seasonal programme may change, it is advisable to check the dates before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Ortaffa, Palau-de-Cerdagne, Latour-De-Carol, Banyuls-Sur-Mer, Calce, Bages, Le Barcares, Torreilles

For the main travel overview: Pyrénées-Orientales.