Summary
The Provençal harbor town of La Ciotat is surrounded by the breathtaking seascapes of the Calanques National Park.
The vistas are extraordinary, whether experienced through a drive along the winding coastal road or from below on a maritime cruise.
The town also boasts a more tranquil aspect, featuring a series of inviting sandy beaches.
Furthermore, La Ciotat is significant in the history of pétanque, as it is here that the rules of the game were established.
This pride extends back to its historical association with film innovators, the Lumière Brothers, who made La Ciotat their summer retreat.
They filmed one of their seminal works in La Ciotat, and the cinema where it premiered continues to showcase films today.
Let us explore the top attractions in La Ciotat:
1. Calanque de Figuerolles
Located just beyond the Cap d’Aigle within the national park, this narrow cove extends prominently into the coastline.
A small rocky beach rests at its end, beckoning visitors with its clear, inviting waters ideal for swimming.
Families with young children can enjoy safe paddling here, as the beach gently slopes down and the sea is calmed by a large rock at the mouth of the creek.
As a typical Calanque, the walls are steep and rugged, featuring peculiar puddingstone formations.
From the beach, one is continuously captivated by the striking Rocher du Capucin rising from the west side.
2. Île Verte
Shuttles operate from La Ciotat’s port to this island located within the boundaries of the national park.
The ferry ride, lasting about 15 minutes, delivers visitors to the stunning Calanque Saint-Pierre, which features a beach accompanied by a restaurant.
Many visitors find this idyllic spot so captivating that they do not venture further.
However, for those seeking more exploration, a winding trail encircles the coast, leading to additional beaches and calanques that descend into the sea.
At the island’s highest point stands Fort Saint-Pierre, dating back to the 1600s and fortified by the Germans during World War II.
3. Old Port
La Ciotat’s Old Port epitomizes the essence of coastal Provence, bustling with private yachts and fishing vessels, while the ochre-hued houses lining the quaysides host numerous cafés and restaurant terraces.
The ambiance in the evenings is lively and friendly, making it a perfect time to stroll to a bar on Quai Ganteaume and witness the sunset behind the rocky expanse of Cap d’Aigle.
On the eastern side, one can walk along the harbor wall until reaching Môle Bérouard, the historic lighthouse from the 19th century, which represents the last remnant of La Ciotat’s citadel.
4. Parc du Mugel
This botanical garden commences at the port and is dominated by the imposing rock at Cap d’Aigle, ascending to 155 meters.
This location offers dual attractions: firstly, the meticulously maintained garden featuring cacti, roses, a palm plantation, and an orangery; and secondly, the nature reserve that encompasses the small coves and woodlands leading up to the significant rock formation to the south.
Visitors can wander through forests filled with chestnut trees, Aleppo pines, holm oaks, cork oaks, carob trees, and laurel trees, stopping at the lookout point to admire Île Verte.
5. La Ciotat’s Beaches
While the Calanques stand out for their striking rock formations and shimmering waters, there are moments when one craves soft sand and additional amenities.
The artificial beaches commence just north of the port and gently curve around the bay in a series of smaller arcs protected by breakwaters.
Each beach serves a distinct function: one prohibits smoking (Plage Lumière), another welcomes pets, and one is designed for wheelchair access.
At each location, the water remains irresistibly clear and shallow.
Alongside, a lengthy promenade shaded by stone pines hosts seating areas in bars and restaurants at regular intervals.
6. Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Garde
During summer, one can venture into the national park to visit this 17th-century chapel, perched high above the water and offering breathtaking views across La Ciotat’s bay.
The chapel, constructed in 1610, features a remarkable gilded oak sculpture of Notre-Dame de la Garde from 1630. Historically, sailors would pray here before embarking on voyages and leave ex-votos. Subsequently, they would ascend the formidable rock behind to survey the horizon and weather conditions before departure.
This landform consists of 80 steps, enabling visitors to climb and witness breathtaking sunsets in the evenings.
7. Musée Ciotaden
Housed in the former town hall, the town’s museum consists of 15 rooms filled with 1,500 artifacts that narrate diverse aspects of La Ciotat’s history.
The most compelling exhibits stem from the early 20th century when the Lumière Brothers filmed one of their first movies at the La Ciotat train station in 1895. A short time later, around 1910, the game of pétanque was created in this town, becoming widely played throughout France, particularly in the south.
Additionally, visitors can explore artifacts from ancient mariners, as well as learn about the Genoese families that established their presence here in the 15th century.
8. Église Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption
La Ciotat’s most prominent church adds an element of gravitas to the waterfront at Quai Ganteaume.
Its beauty becomes particularly striking at night, when the high, sheer walls are illuminated and mirrored in the water.
Constructed in the early 17th century, the church exhibits a restrained Romanesque revival style, lacking excessive ornamentation.
The facade, alongside the finely carved southern portal, is made from stone sourced from the ancient quarries at La Couronne, near Marseille.
Inside, look for the exquisite woodwork in the choir, crafted from walnut in 1649, as well as the marble high altar shaped by a Marseille marble mason in the 1700s.
9. L’Eden Théâtre
The world’s oldest continuously operating cinema reopened its doors in 2013 after extensive renovations.
Film historians should visit regardless of the programming, simply to experience the venue where the Lumière Brothers showcased L’Arrivée d’un Train en Gare de La Ciotat in 1895. This film depicted a steam train arriving at La Ciotat’s station and allegedly caused viewers to flee in fear.
The cinema remains closed during the daytime; thus, the best method to appreciate the interior is through the age-old practice of attending a film screening!
10. Chapelle des Pénitents Bleus
Scattered throughout La Ciotat are charming chapels, with this one standing out as one of the town’s most attractive structures.
This Baroque chapel was constructed in 1626 during a period of heightened Counter-Reformation sentiment in France following the Wars of Religion.
La Ciotat’s Genoese community frequented this chapel, which features noteworthy details such as gargoyles above the windows, an octagonal bell, and intricate wall sculptures.
In contemporary times, the chapel serves as a dignified space for exhibitions highlighting local artists.
11. Route des Crêtes
From the land, the Calanques between La Ciotat and Cassis appear strikingly magnificent.
Nevertheless, during the months of July and August, traversing the national park on foot can be challenging.
Instead, one can experience the scenic drive along this winding road that ascends towards the Cap Canaille headland, standing almost 400 meters above the sea and featuring Europe’s tallest maritime cliffs.
Occasionally, there are stopping points to park and take in the panoramic landscapes.
Views extend back towards La Ciotat or over the Calanque Massif rising towards the west of Cassis.
Along the route, unusual rock formations plunge dramatically hundreds of meters into the water.
At one of the highest elevations, a semaphore, established in 1791, was utilized for coordinating military maritime traffic along the coastline.
12. Calanques Boat Trips
Located on Quai Ganteaume, several companies are ready to provide excursions to view the Calanques from the sea.
Some regions of the national park are inaccessible by land, and these boat excursions allow you to navigate through grand coves bordered by towering cliffs.
It is advisable to bring a camera, as the scenery often appears surreal.
On longer voyages, such as one to Sormiou, just south of Marseille, there will be opportunities to go ashore and unwind on the beach.
13. Paddle Boarding
A recently emerging activity along the Mediterranean coastline is paddle boarding, which also serves as an excellent means to access Calanque de Figuerolles.
On calm, clear days, the gentle seas are easily navigable, and paddle boarding’s relatively simple learning curve allows children as young as 10 to participate.
By renting your own board, you can enjoy a sense of freedom, exploring tranquil swimming spots away from the busy beaches.
Organized outings are also available, led by knowledgeable instructors who guide participants to lesser-known, remarkably scenic locations.
14. Days Out
For a different experience, numerous stunning towns can be explored in either direction along the coast.
A visit to Cassis could follow after traversing the Route des Crêtes.
This coastal fishing port is centrally located among the Calanques, boasting an enchanting harbor tucked between towering cliffs.
Alternatively, in the opposite direction, Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer features a gentler landscape and is easily reachable within minutes from La Ciotat.
This popular resort is renowned for its Les Lecques beach, a sweeping stretch of pebbles and sand, accompanied by shallow waters that are ideal for young children.
Within the town, look for a miniature Statue of Liberty, a small gilded replica of New York’s iconic statue, sculpted by the same artist, Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi.
15. Marché Nocturne
From early July to late August, the harbor area in La Ciotat becomes pedestrian-only, transforming into a vibrant marketplace filled with numerous stalls along the quayside.
The market operates from 19:00 to 01:00, providing an excellent opportunity to acquire regional products such as honey and olive oil, along with various artisanal crafts.
A traditional daytime market also takes place on Sundays at the Old Port, featuring fresh produce, cheeses, charcuterie, pastries, flowers, and much more.
