carte Istres
Tourist map and places to visit in Istres
Are you looking for a tourist map of Istres to plan your visit? This town in the Bouches-du-Rhône department has some wonderful surprises in store for you, with its authentic Provençal center and coastline on the Étang de Berre lagoon. The town offers remarkable sites such as old Istres with its ramparts, the beaches, the Dinosaur'Istres trail and the Art Zoo.
Our map of Istres will help you locate all the points of interest. You will discover the historic monuments, natural areas and family activities that make Istres so charming.
How long does it take to visit Istres?
One day is enough to see the main sights of Istres if you focus on the historic center. Allow two to three hours to explore old Istres and its monuments. Visiting the Arles Gate and Place du Docteur-d'Arasson will take around an hour.
If you want to enjoy the beaches and water sports, plan a whole day. Families with children will enjoy spending a morning on the Dinosaur'Istres trail.
For a more complete stay that includes the surrounding area, particularly the archaeological site of Saint-Blaise and Saint-Mitre-les-Remparts, allow 2 to 3 days. This will give you plenty of time to enjoy the region's natural and cultural riches.
Where can I download a map of Istres in PDF format?
You can obtain a detailed map of Istres by clicking on the “Download map” button above our interactive map. This PDF document includes all the tourist attractions and practical information.
The Istres Tourist Office also provides free maps. You can find them on site or on their official website.
These detailed maps will help you find your way around the town easily. They show car parks, bus stops, and the main sightseeing routes.
Where is the tourist office?
The Istres Tourist Office is located at 30 allées Jean Jaurès, 13800 Istres. You can contact them on +33 (0)4 42 81 76 00 for information about your stay.
The office is open Monday to Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., as well as on Sunday mornings from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. during the summer season. The team can provide information about accommodation, restaurants, and activities in the region.
The tourist office has been awarded the Qualité Tourisme label. The tourist advisors will help you organize your visits and provide you with the necessary documents for certain activities such as Dinosaur'Istres.
You will also find detailed brochures on local attractions and current events. Feel free to ask for advice on how to make the most of your visit.
What are the must-see places?
The historic center of Istres is the ideal starting point for your discovery. Begin with the impressive Arles gate, which gives a glimpse of what these ramparts were like before they became a wide, semi-pedestrian boulevard shaded by old plane trees.
Head to Place du Docteur-d'Arasson, with its typical moss-covered fountain. This square is the authentic heart of this Provençal town. The narrow streets of the old town will lead you to charming little squares and covered passageways.
The Istres coastline on the Étang de Berre offers an exceptional natural setting. Admire the turquoise coves lined with pine forests from the Suffren viewpoints. The Romaniquette beach, which is supervised and equipped, is ideal for swimming, with water quality checked daily.
The Polaris Art Center, dedicated to contemporary art, is well worth a visit for art lovers. Not far away, the Étang de l'Olivier lake features a collection of outdoor artworks: Buren's columns, Ben's panels and the Art Zoo with its colorful animals.
Dinosaur'Istres is particularly appealing to families. This fun trail pays tribute to the Étang de Berre, near where the first fossilized dinosaur eggs were discovered in France. The activity combines scientific discovery and fun for all ages.
The archaeological site of Saint-Blaise is located near Istres. It was originally a Gallic oppidum. The solid Greek rampart and remains of successive occupations of the village can still be seen. The site overlooks the Citis and Lavalduc ponds in a preserved natural environment.
How to get to Istres?
By car, Istres is located 55 km from Marseille and 58 km from Aix-en-Provence. The town is easily accessible via the A7 motorway and then the N569. Several free car parks are available in the town center, particularly near the tourist office.
Istres train station is served by the PACA regional express trains. From Istres, you can reach the TGV station in Miramas and Marseille. The station is located on Place Pierre Semard, about a 25-minute walk from the town center.
Marseille Provence Airport is located in Marignane, just 45 km from Istres, about 45 minutes by car.
Shuttle and taxi services provide connections from the airport.
The Ulysse public transport network serves the city with 20 urban lines. A free “Circé” shuttle runs to the city center from Monday to Saturday from 8:15 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. This shuttle connects the outlying car parks to the city center every 30 minutes.
What are the best hotels in Istres?
Istres offers several quality accommodations for your stay. The 3-star Hôtel Ariane offers comprehensive services with an outdoor swimming pool, gym, and secure parking. The rooms are soundproofed and equipped with a private bathroom, flat-screen TV, and free Wi-Fi. The Cit'Hôtel Le Mirage is also an excellent choice with its green setting and 130 m² swimming pool. Both establishments are ideally located for exploring the region's tourist attractions between the Camargue, the Alpilles and the Étang de Berre.
Also worth reading to help you plan your stay in Istres:
NEIGHBOURING TOWNS AND VILLAGES
St Mitre les Remparts (11 km), Fos sur Mer (11 km), Miramas (11 km) and Saint Chamas (13 km).