Each spring, thousands of Gitanos and Travellers — part of Europe’s diverse Roma and itinerant communities — gather in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, in the South of France, to honour Saint Sara, their Black Saint. For people often living on society’s margins, this annual gathering is more than a religious celebration — it is a moment of recognition, unity, and pride. The procession begins inside the church, then moves through the packed streets and finally into the sea, accompanied by horses, music, dance, and prayers in a vibrant yet deeply spiritual atmosphere.

Photographed during the 2025 pilgrimage, this series reflects the energy and humanity that unfold within the crowds: the warmth and openness of the Travellers, the colours of their proud and nostalgic styles, the devotion of worshippers pressed together in candle-lit spaces, and the joy of talented musicians — including one playing waist-deep in the sea. Rather than documenting events step by step, these images aim to convey what it felt like to be carried along by the movement, the rhythm, and the shared spirit of celebration.