Quelles sont les activités à faire à Aubagne ?

Le tourisme à Aubagne se décline entre culture et nature. Festivals comme Festimôme en juillet, Nuits Flamencas, Argilla en août célébrant la céramique avec ateliers et cavalcade, Festival International du Film en mars, Biennale de l'Art Santonnier en décembre. Les randonnées sur les traces de Pagnol emmènent dans le massif du Garlaban pour découvrir la garrigue, pinèdes et points de vue sur la vallée. Visite guidée de la maison natale jusqu'au village de La Treille. Ateliers de céramistes ouverts pour découvertes artisanales.

Quels sont les sites historiques à Aubagne ?

Le centre historique concentre plusieurs monuments remarquables : église Saint-Sauveur du XIe siècle, chapelle des Pénitents noirs inscrite monument historique depuis 1927, maison natale de Marcel Pagnol sur le cours Barthélémy qui se visite librement, musée de la Légion étrangère retraçant l'histoire depuis 1831 sur 2000 m² avec entrée gratuite.

Quelle est l'histoire d'Aubagne ?

L'histoire d'Aubagne débute au Moyen Âge avec la construction d'un château et d'une église au XIe siècle. Au XIVe siècle, des remparts protègent la cité après les guerres civiles ravageant la Provence. La porte Gachiou témoigne de cette époque. Aux XVIe et XVIIe siècles, la ville s'étend hors des murs. L'église est remaniée au XVIIe siècle. Au XVIIIe siècle, les chapelles baroques des Pénitents enrichissent le patrimoine religieux.

Où se situe Aubagne ?

Aubagne est située dans le département des Bouches-du-Rhône en région Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. Cette commune se trouve à 15 kilomètres à l'est de Marseille dans la vallée de l'Huveaune. Le massif du Garlaban domine la ville à 714 mètres d'altitude. Position stratégique entre Marseille, Cassis et La Ciotat.

Quels sont les événements à Aubagne ?

L'actualité culturelle d'Aubagne est rythmée par plusieurs festivals : Festimôme en juillet célébrant les arts du cirque pour toute la famille, Nuits Flamencas transformant la ville en scène andalouse, Argilla en août honorant la céramique avec ateliers et cavalcade, Biennale de l'Art Santonnier en décembre attirant les amateurs d'artisanat, Festival International du Film en mars. Animations gratuites en centre-ville pendant l'été.

Comment se rendre à Aubagne ?

Se rendre à Aubagne est simple depuis Marseille. Le train dépose à la gare en 15 minutes depuis Saint-Charles. Les lignes de bus L100 et L102 relient la métropole toutes les 10 à 30 minutes. En voiture, accès par l'A50 depuis Marseille ou Toulon, et par l'A52 depuis Aix-en-Provence. Proximité avec Cassis à 10 km et La Ciotat. La route départementale D559 longe la côte.

Aubagne

Last update on Dec 17, 2025

15 km East of Marseille on A50 and A52 freeways and N8 and N98 roads.

Discover the beautiful town of Aubagne in the Bouches-du-Rhône

The charming town of Aubagne lies in the Huveaune valley, between Marseille to the west and Cassis to the east. The Garlaban massif towers over the town at 714 meters.

The birthplace of Marcel Pagnol

Marcel Pagnol was born in Aubagne in 1895. The writer and filmmaker celebrated Provence in his works, and Aubagne was obviously a great source of inspiration. You can visit his birthplace on Cours Barthélémy and a museum called “Le Petit Monde de Marcel Pagnol” (The Little World of Marcel Pagnol).

A charming historic center

The historic center has retained its Provençal architecture. The 11th-century Saint-Sauveur church, the Gachiou gate, and the Chapels of the Penitents are all remarkable places of interest. The old town reveals its colorful facades and ancient ramparts.

La ville d'Aubagne dans les Bouches du Rhône.

The capital of Provençal santons

Aubagne is known as the French capital of santons. The clay soils have been used since ancient times to create amphorae, ceramics, and santons. This artisanal tradition is an integral part of the local identity.

The workshops of ceramicists are open all year round. You can watch the creation of hand-modeled santons. Local artisans perpetuate this ancestral know-how in their workshops in the town center. The Pagnol Museum houses more than 200 Provençal santons.

Our map of Aubagne

To find your way around Aubagne, you can use our interactive map of the city. We have marked all the points of interest in the town on it.

What to see

Marcel Pagnol museum at the tourist office.
The Therese Neveu workshops: on clay crafts and exhibitions.
The Légion Etrangere Museum.
enitents Chapel. Ramparts.
Guided tours of the historical center of Aubagne and of the film productions of Marcel Pagnol.

Leisure activities

Horseback riding, climbing.
Speleology, squash, tennis.
Swimming pool. Muntain biking.

Hotels

Le Relais des Brasseurs

Aubagne (Pays d'Aix)

In the center of Aubagne, enjoy the charm of Provence and modern comfort in a recently renovated hotel.
Well-equipped rooms with designer decor and free Wi-Fi
Restaurant - Friendly and attentive staff

View the site

Accomodations

Hotels.
Bed and breakfast.
Campsite.

Your questions about Aubagne

You have sent us several questions about the town of Aubagne. Here are our answers to your most frequently asked questions.

What to do in Aubagne ?

Tourism in Aubagne combines culture and nature. Enjoy festivals such as Festimôme in July or Les Nuits Flamencas to discover street arts and music. In August, Argilla celebrates ceramics with workshops and a grand parade. The International Film Festival in March attracts film lovers. In December, the Biennale de l'Art Santonnier transforms the town into an open-air gallery. For nature lovers, hikes in the footsteps of Pagnol take you into the Garlaban massif. You can discover the garrigue, pine forests and views over the valley. The guided tour starts at his birthplace and ends in the village of La Treille. Ceramic workshops open their doors to visitors to discover their craft. Provençal art is part of everyday life here, not just during festivals.

What are the historical sites in Aubagne?

The historic center is home to several remarkable monuments. The 11th-century Saint-Sauveur Church and the Chapel of the Black Penitents, listed as a historic monument since 1927, dominate the old town. Marcel Pagnol's birthplace on Cours Barthélémy is open to visitors. The Foreign Legion Museum traces the history of this institution since 1831 over 2,000 m². Admission is free.

What is the history of Aubagne?

The history of Aubagne began in the Middle Ages with the construction of a castle and a church in the 11th century. In the 14th century, ramparts were built to protect the city after the civil wars that ravaged Provence. The Gachiou gate bears witness to this troubled period. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the city expanded beyond its walls. The church was renovated in the 17th century. In the 18th century, the Baroque chapels of the Penitents enriched the city's religious heritage.

Where is Aubagne ?

Aubagne is located in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. This town is 9.3 miles east of Marseille, in the Huveaune Valley. The Garlaban mountain range towers over the town at an altitude of 714 meters. A strategic location between Marseille, Cassis, and La Ciotat.

What events are happening in Aubagne?

Aubagne's cultural calendar is punctuated by several festivals. Festimôme in July celebrates circus arts for the whole family. Les Nuits Flamencas transforms the city into an Andalusian stage. Argilla in August honors ceramics with workshops and a grand parade. In December, the Biennale de l'Art Santonnier attracts craft enthusiasts. The International Film Festival in March completes this cultural program. Every day during the summer, there are free activities in the city center.

How to get to Aubagne?

Getting to Aubagne is easy from Marseille. The train takes you to the station in 15 minutes from Saint-Charles. Public transportation with bus lines L100 and L102 connect the city every 10 to 30 minutes. By car, access is via the A50 from Marseille or Toulon, and via the A52 from Aix-en-Provence. Its proximity to Cassis (10 km) and La Ciotat means you can combine several visits. The D559 departmental road runs along the coast.