Where is Sainte-Marie-la-Mer?
It’s in Occitanie, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, that we find our favorite vacation commune: Sainte-Marie-la-Mer. This small town lies at the heart of the Mediterranean, with the department’s prefecture, Perpignan, just 11 km away as the crow flies.
Sainte-Marie-la-Mer’s reputation offers you the opportunity to spend your vacations in a varied setting. Visit the nearest towns for a bird’s eye view of the Mediterranean basin: discover the beaches of Canet-en-Roussillon, 2.5 km away, or Le Barcarès, 7 km away.
Explore the Catalan villages that surround our campsite up to 7 km away, take advantage of your stay in our region to discover specialties offered by local communities such as Villelongue-de-la-Salanque is 2.7 km away, Torreilles at 3.6 km, Saint-Laurent-de-la-Salanques at 5.6 km, Claira at 6.2 km, Bompas at 6.8 km and Saint-Nazaire at 6.9 km.
In terms of history and culture, we invite you to discover our region and the remains of this former province of the kingdom of France, which covered the three vigueries of Roussillon, Conflent and Cerdagne until the creation of the Pyrénées-Orientales department.
Our reference dishes
Dear tourist friends, you have chosen to spend your vacations under the generous Mediterranean sun, and we are delighted to welcome you to our beautiful region. Get ready for an unforgettable experience, where the beauty of the landscape is matched only by the richness of our cultural and gastronomic heritage. We invite you to discover Catalan cuisine, a culinary tradition that will enchant you with its authentic flavors and ancestral recipes.
At Camping Municipal de la Plage in Sainte-Marie-la-Mer, we’re keen to take you on a journey through the delights of the Occitanie region. Our team has selected for you the emblematic dishes of Catalan cuisine, reflecting our generous terroir and unique know-how.
Let yourself be seduced by the enchanting aromas and savory tastes of these specialties, which are sure to tantalize your taste buds and make for a truly convivial experience. So don’t wait any longer, embark with us on a gustatory journey to the heart of Occitania and let yourself be charmed by the treasures that Catalan cuisine has to offer.
Catalan lamb
The ancestral know-how of Catalan cuisine has been handed down from generation to generation. One of the emblematic dishes of Occitanie, which bears witness to this culinary tradition, is without doubt Catalan lamb, also known as El Xaï. This dish is the very symbol of the region’s cultural and gastronomic heritage.
El Xaï lamb comes from the red sheepfolds of the Roussillon region, where it is raised with particular care. Respect for traditional customs and rearing methods gives this lamb exceptional quality and unbeatable flavor.
Catalan lamb meat is prized for its tenderness and light color, a testament to the passion and expertise of local breeders. Traditionally, lamb is served in a persillade crust, giving it a delicious flavor of fresh herbs and garlic. It can also be stuffed with almonds, for a subtle, refined taste, all drizzled with its own cooking juices.
Catalan lamb is enjoyed by young and old alike, and its reputation extends beyond the borders of Occitanie. This tasty and generous dish, steeped in history and tradition, is a must for anyone wishing to discover the true treasures of Catalan cuisine. Let yourself be tempted by this regional speciality, sure to delight your taste buds!
The cargolade
Cargolade, a veritable institution in Catalan gastronomy, is an emblematic culinary specialty of Perpignan and the surrounding area. Warm and convivial, this tradition is particularly appreciated during the summer months, when the locals gather to share a gourmet moment over delicious grilled snails.
These little gastropods, braised in their shells over an open fire, give off a unique and irresistible flavour. To enhance their taste, it’s essential to season them simply with salt, pepper and aromatic herbs such as thyme and rosemary, which bring out the snails’ natural flavors.
To enjoy Cargolade the way it’s meant to be enjoyed, serve it on a slice of farmhouse bread, topped with a generous drizzle of aioli, the traditional garlic and olive oil sauce. The marriage of flavors is a real treat for the taste buds, and will give you a taste of pure happiness.
Cargolade also lends itself perfectly to tasting as tapas. Serve with slices of bread topped with fresh tomatoes, olive oil and garlic, and patatas bravas, those delicious spicy fried potatoes. The result is a tasty and generous assortment to share with friends and family, for a convivial and festive moment in the image of Catalan culture.
Boles de picolat
Boles de picolat is a traditional Occitan dish and a true symbol of Catalan cuisine. This simple, authentic recipe is very popular with the locals, who cherish it for its savory, comforting taste.
This convivial dish features minced meatballs, prepared from high-quality local meats. The dumplings are delicately wrapped in white beans, offering a melt-in-the-mouth texture and delicate flavor. A generous, fragrant tomato sauce withgreen olives coats the meatballs and beans.
Boles de picolat is a complete, tasty dish that requires no additional ingredients to be fully appreciated. However, it’s best to enjoy them with country-style bread, which will bring out the authentic, generous flavors of this typical Occitan recipe.
Taste boles de picolat during your stay in our beautiful region, and discover a traditional dish emblematic of Catalan cuisine that will delight your taste buds and offer you a real moment of sharing and conviviality.
Catalan sausage, boutifarre and other charcuterie from the Pyrénées-Orientales region
The Pyrénées-Orientales region is renowned for its high-quality artisanal charcuterie, of which Catalan sausage and boutifarre are prime ambassadors.
Catalan sausages are made from lean pork and seasoned to taste. In and around Perpignan, you’ll find a multitude of preparations for this specialty. It can be eaten raw, for those who appreciate raw, authentic flavors, or cooked, for those who prefer more sophisticated flavors. This sausage pairs perfectly with homemade mashed potatoes, which soften and complement the meat’s delicate flavors.
Catalan charcuterie is also a traditional way to start a meal in Occitania, often served as an aperitif. Among the most famous cured meats is boutifarre, the Catalan blood sausage made from bacon and blood. Despite its surprising composition, boutifarre is delicious hot or cold. It is usually seasoned with various ingredients, such as ground chillies, salt, pepper and nutmeg, offering a multitude of flavours to discover.
During your stay in Occitanie, don’t miss the opportunity to savor Catalan sausage and other charcuterie delights from the Pyrénées-Orientales. You’ll be won over by these specialties, which reflect the soul and generosity of Catalan cuisine.
The ollada
Ollada, the emblematic dish of Occitania, is a Catalan specialty that warms hearts and bodies on long winter evenings. This traditional pot-au-feu is distinguished by its richness of flavor and generosity, a true reflection of the region’s culinary art.
Ollada consists of peas and pieces of pork, simmered with barley and cabbage. These ingredients are cooked in an earthenware dish, giving the dish a unique, authentic flavor. Slow, gentle cooking preserves the tenderness of the meat and the delicacy of the vegetables, while developing an array of flavorful aromas.
We recommend preparing the ollada the day before for the next day, to give it time to simmer and rest. This resting time allows the ingredients to release their full flavor and harmonize to create a dish that’s both gourmet and comforting.
Anchovies Catalan style
Anchovies à la catalane are an emblematic specialty of Occitanie, and more particularly of the village of Collioure, where anchovy fishing is an ancestral tradition. This tasty fish, which has stood the test of time, is a true symbol of Catalan gastronomy.
Since the Middle Ages, anchovies have been appreciated and eaten in a variety of ways: anchovies in salt, anchovy fillets in brine or oil. These varied preparations bear witness to the evolution of preservation techniques and the creativity of Catalan fishermen and cooks.
Catalan anchovy preparers are accustomed to catching this fish at night, to preserve its freshness and incomparable taste. To sublimate the flavor of anchovies, they prepare them with garlic, parsley, salt and pepper, a simple, authentic recipe that highlights the quality of the fish.
Anchovies à la catalane can be accompanied by a seafood platter, for a refined, iodized tasting experience, but also by hard-boiled eggs or peppers, which add a touch of color and deliciousness to the dish. This blend of flavors and textures makes Catalan-style anchovies an essential part of Occitan cuisine.
Climbing
Escalivade showcases the region’s local vegetables and Mediterranean flavors. This tasty dish is usually served as an appetizer or as a side dish to traditional Catalan dishes, adding a fresh, gourmet touch to your meals.
This preparation consists of roasting vegetables over an ember, usually a wood fire, to give them a delicate, smoky taste. The vegetables used in the escalivade include an assortment of tomatoes, peppers, onions, eggplants and garlic, all grown in the vegetable gardens of our beautiful region.
After roasting, the vegetables are candied, giving them a melt-in-the-mouth texture. To bring out the best, the escalivade is seasoned with quality, locally-produced olive oil. This olive oil enhances the flavor of the vegetables and adds a touch of finesse to the dish.
Escalivade is a delicious way to discover and savor the vegetables of Occitanie, while enjoying the region’s culinary savoir-faire. Don’t hesitate to try this dish during your stay in Catalonia, and let yourself be seduced by its authentic, generous flavors.
Wines from our Catalan region
The Catalan region, located in southern France and northeastern Spain, is a land of contrasts, where mountains meet the sea and tradition meets modernity. This cultural and geographical richness is also reflected in the region’s wine production, which offers a wide variety of quality wines with unique characteristics and unforgettable flavors.
Wines from the Catalan region come from a wide variety of terroirs, ranging from sun-drenched hillsides to schistose mountain soils and fertile plains near the sea. This diversity translates into a wide range of wines, the main ones being reds, whites, rosés and vins doux naturels.
The red
Occitanie is a region in the south of France with a rich and diverse wine-growing heritage. Red wines take pride of place, thanks to a variety of grape varieties, terroirs and know-how that give rise to wines with unique characteristics and flavors.
Occitanie’s red wines come in a variety of styles, from light and fruity to full-bodied and tannic, as well as vins de garde and vins de caractère. The richness of this palette means that every red wine enthusiast can find something to his liking among the Occitan crus.
White
Occitanie is a rich and diverse wine-growing region, producing a wide variety of wines, with white wines taking pride of place. The terroirs of this region offer ideal conditions for the cultivation of numerous white grape varieties, which give rise to wines with unique characteristics that are much appreciated by wine lovers.
Occitanie’s white wines come in a variety of styles, from dry and mineral to sweet and fruity, as well as sweet and sparkling. Whatever your preference, you’re sure to find an Occitan white wine that will appeal to you.
The rosé
Occitanie is also a rosé wine-producing region, benefiting from a Mediterranean climate and diversified terroirs to offer a wide range of rosés with varied characteristics. Thanks to this diversity of grape varieties, the region’s winemakers are able to offer rosé wines with a wide range of profiles, from light and fruity to more structured and complex.
Among the best-known wine-growing areas in Occitanie for the production of rosé wines are Roussillon and parts of the South-West. These regions offer a variety of terroirs, from limestone and schist to clay and granite, which influence the character and style of the rosé wines produced.
Our sweet pleasures
Catalan gastronomy wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the sweet delights that round off meals in style. Catalan desserts, as gourmet as they are authentic, hold a special place in the hearts of gourmets, and reflect the know-how and cultural richness of this region. These sweet treats, made fromlocal ingredients and recipes handed down from generation to generation, are a veritable hymn to the conviviality and generosity of Catalan cuisine.
From moist almond cakes to creamy orange creams and dried fruit and honey treats, Catalan desserts are an invitation to discover enchanting flavors and surprising textures. They are the reflection of a rich terroir and a long culinary tradition, where Mediterranean influences, exchanges with neighboring countries and theingenuity of pastry craftsmen have shaped unforgettable sweet creations.
Catalan cream
Crema Catalana, also known as “crema catalana” or “crema de Sant Josep”, is an emblematic dessert of the Occitanie region and Catalonia in particular. This delicious cream, a distant cousin of the French crème brûlée, is distinguished by its velvety texture and delicate citrus fragrance.
Crème Catalane is made with egg yolks, sugar, milk and cornstarch, giving it a creamy, slightly thick consistency. The characteristic flavors of this dessert come from the addition of lemon zest and cinnamon, which add an exotic, fresh touch to the cream.
What also makes crème catalane unique is the thin layer of caramelized sugar on the surface, obtained by sprinkling sugar on the cooled cream and then burning it with a kitchen flashlight or a special iron called a “catalane”. This process creates a delicate, crunchy crust that contrasts with the softness of the cream.
Crème Catalane is usually served in small individual ramekins, and can be enjoyed on its own or with fresh fruit, cookies or tuiles. This traditional dessert is a real treat for lovers of sweet treats, and a wonderful way to round off a Catalan-flavored meal.
The pa d’ou
Pa d’ou, also known as “egg bread” in French, is a traditional dessert from the Occitanie region, seductive in its simplicity and deliciousness. This vanilla-scented flan topped with caramel is a classic Catalan pastry, appreciated for its creaminess and delicate flavor.
This dessert is made with eggs, sugar, milk and vanilla, giving it a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture. The preparation is cooked in a bain-marie, which ensures even cooking and preserves the flan’s tenderness.
The Pa d’ou is also distinguished by its caramel topping, prepared from melted sugar and a few drops of water. This gourmet topping adds a sweet, slightly bitter touch that contrasts with the sweetness of the vanilla cream.
Pa d’ou is often served in a round dish, and can be cut into individual slices to share with family and friends. This dessert is the perfect end to a typical Occitan meal , and can be accompanied by a glass of muscat or rivesaltes for an even richer taste experience.
Rediscover the pleasure of simple, authentic flavors with Pa d’ou, an unmissable Catalan dessert that will delight the taste buds of gourmets young and old.
Les bounyettes
Bunyettes, sometimes called “bounyettes”, are a typical dessert of the Occitanie region, particularly Catalonia. These little wafers, fried in oil and sprinkled with sugar, are a real delicacy to be enjoyed with the fingers, during convivial moments with family and friends.
Bunyettes are simple to prepare, but require a certain amount of skill. The dough is made from flour, eggs, sugar, milk and butter, and flavored with vanilla or lemon zest. Once rolled out thinly, the dough is cut into small disks or various shapes using a cookie cutter or knife.
The patties are then fried in hot oil until they take on a golden color and crispy texture. Once drained, they are generously sprinkled with powdered sugar, which adds a sweet, gourmet note.
Bunyettes are often eaten at traditional festivals, markets or family events, and are appreciated for their lightness and crunchiness. They can be served as a dessert, with a glass of sweet wine, tea or coffee, or as an afternoon snack.
Les rousquilles
Rousquilles, originally fromArles-sur-Tech in the Vallespir region, are emblematic cookies of the region and a real treat for lovers of sweet treats. This small, round cake, with its soft, melt-in-the-mouth texture, is characterized by its delicate lemon fragrance and powdered sugar coating, giving it a refined, gourmet look.
Rousquilles are made with flour, sugar, butter and eggs, flavored with lemon zest for a touch of acidity and freshness. After being shaped into small rings, the cookies are baked in the oven until lightly golden.
Once cooled, the cookies are coated with a white icing made from powdered sugar and water, which hardens as it dries, creating a thin, crunchy layer that contrasts with the softness of the dough.
Rousquilles are often enjoyed during gourmet breaks or as dessert, accompanied by a glass of muscatel wine, tea or coffee. They’re also very popular for their aesthetic appeal, with their round shape and powdered sugar coating reminiscent of the snow in the surrounding mountains.
Which restaurants to try near Sainte-Marie-la-Mer?
Located in the Pyrénées-Orientales, in the Occitanie region, Sainte-Marie-la-Mer is an attractive little commune that attracts lovers of tourist and culinary discoveries. This coastal town is home to a multitude of authentic and diverse restaurants, where you can explore local delights and marvel at your taste buds.
The Entrepotes
Come and enjoy a delicious meal in this restaurant offering a variety of local dishes and freshly-cooked Catalan specialties.
L’Escale
Enjoy the real taste of local specialties and burgers served with fresh vegetables, with takeaway or on-the-go orders.
The Sea Effect
The restaurant at our Camping de la Plage in Sainte-Marie-de-la-Mer brings you the freshest arrivals for comfort and convenience, with exceptional local cuisine.
The Interview
For simple, refined cuisine in a warm atmosphere, we recommend L’Entrevue in Sainte-Marie, where you can enjoy hot and cold starters to suit all tastes.
Discover their meats and fish, accompanied by sauces that underline their excellence.
Le 35
Melt for their seaside tapas that will make your vacation seem like forever.
Their dishes are accompanied by fish, meat and seafood platters: find the dish that suits you best by trying out this address.
