Plage Est

A beach as far as the eye can see

Plage Est in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer is nothing like a discreet little cove. We're talking about a ribbon of fine sand stretching several dozen kilometers toward Beauduc, up to 400 meters wide in places. It's considered the wildest beach in the resort, wedged between the sea and the ponds of the Camargue National Reserve.

The area is split in two: a family friendly section just before the dike, then the naturist zone about a kilometer further on. Which means you'll need to walk a bit, but that's exactly what gives the place its charm.

Where to get naked

Nudity is unrestricted in the naturist zone, with no set hours since the site stays open all year round. In summer, lifeguard supervision is in place, which reassures quite a few families and couples coming to discover naturism without feeling too exposed to passersby.

Walkers and horseback riders regularly cross the area, so it's not unusual to see horses passing close to the towels. It's just part of the scenery and nobody's complaining, quite the opposite.

Access and parking

To reach the beach, you park at the Thalasso parking lot, on avenue Commandant Jacques Y Cousteau, then walk about a kilometer along a jetty toward the Phare de la Gacholle. Parking costs between 5 and 6 euros, with a space reserved for campervans.

This approach walk naturally filters out the crowds. In winter, access can get trickier because of the wind and conditions, but the beach stays open year round for anyone wanting to try the adventure off season.

What you'll find on site

Two restaurants sit nearby, Bambou Palm Beach and Playa en Camargue, handy for stretching the day out without heading straight back. A bike rental is also available, around 15 euros a day, useful for exploring further toward Beauduc. Dogs are allowed on the beach.

• Paid parking 5 to 6 euros
• Bike rental 15 euros a day
• Restaurants nearby
• Dogs allowed
• Summer supervision

What the regulars say

Feedback keeps highlighting how unspoiled the place is and how much space there is, you never feel squeezed between two towels. The presence of horses and the nature reserve setting come up often as a real plus, worlds away from the concrete naturist beaches found elsewhere.

Some mention that driving access can get trickier in winter, and that attendance climbs sharply in the height of summer. But overall, it's seen as a well kept, calm spot, spacious enough for everyone to find their own patch.