La Ciotat
35 km. east of Marseille on highway A50.
Discover the town of La Ciotat, near Marseille, in the Bouches du Rhône department
La Ciotat, a town surrounded by creeks and inlets
Along a coastline of more than 20km, La Ciotat and the sea have been intimately linked since ancient times. To the west, the town is underlined by beautiful creeks and the highest sea cliffs in Europe, culminating in Cap Canaille (394m).
To the east, the Gulf of Amours offers numerous sandy beaches and a marina with 850 berths. There are also many restaurants and hotels worthy of the finest seaside resorts.
The old town and its monuments bear witness to a rich historical past. It was here, in 1895, that the famous Lumière brothers, the fathers of cinema, took their first famous shots entitled "L'arrivée d'un train en gare de La Ciotat" (The arrival of a train at La Ciotat station).
The oldest cinema in the world
The oldest cinema in the world still exists, and it was at the Eden Théâtre in La Ciotat that the first public screening took place on 28 September 1895: spectators went wild as they watched images of the train hurtling towards them.
The picturesque port of La Ciotat
La Ciotat will charm you with its picturesque old fishing port, its beautiful 17th-century houses around the harbour, and its Mediterranean atmosphere. Don't hesitate to take the magnificent Route des Crêtes, where you'll find an exceptional panorama of the whole bay.
Mugel Park
Go for a walk in the Parc du Mugel, where you'll discover a pathway lined with vegetation as varied as it is abundant, with a breathtaking view of the town, the Pôle Nautique and the Ile Verte from the top.
Our interactive map of La Ciotat
To find your way around La Ciotat, you can use our interactive map on this page. We've included our accommodation recommendations so that you can locate them before booking your stay in La Ciotat.
The market in La Ciotat
There are several interesting markets in La Ciotat. The weekly market takes place on Tuesday mornings on Place Evariste Gras (see our map) and on Sunday mornings on the Port-Vieux and the Promenade. The organic market takes place on Saturday mornings at the Baromètre. There's also a lovely fish market every morning at Môle Bérouard (on the Port-Vieux).
What to see
The old Hotel de Ville (1864) wich is now the Ciotaden Museum (local and marine
history of Ciotat).
17th c. church. The churches of the blue and black penitents,
Notre Dame de la Garde Chapel (1610).
Eden Theater (1889).
Calanque de Figuerolles.
Leisure activities
All water sports and scuba diving, boating, excursions in the calanques. Green Island.
Walks. Hiking.
Climbing and speleology.
Tennis. Mountain biking. Swimming pool.
Cinema. Exhibitions. Casino.
Hotels
In the center, 600 m from the harbour and beaches, close to the Calanques
Rooms with en suite with shower, TV, free Wi-Fi
Restaurant
Accomodations
Hotels.
Holiday rentals.
Campsites.
YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT LA CIOTAT
You have sent us several questions about La Ciotat. Here are our answers to your most frequently asked questions.
How can I visit the Calanques from La Ciotat?
La Ciotat is really close to the Calanques: you can reach the superb Mugel and Figuerolles calanques on foot from the town centre in around 20 minutes. You can also take bus line 30, which also passes by the Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Garde, which is well worth a visit.
What to do in La Ciotat
There's plenty to do in La Ciotat, including swimming in the calanques, visiting the Notre Dame de la Garde chapel, having a drink in the harbour, going to the market, strolling through the old town or the Parc du Mugel. On this page, you'll find all our recommendations and some photos to give you an idea.
Cassis or La Ciotat?
If you don't have the time to visit these two pretty seaside resorts, that's a real shame. Our hearts go out to both, but let's just say that Cassis is even more charming. If you can, visit both, you won't be disappointed and you'll know which town you prefer between the two.
What's the speciality of La Ciotat?
Local restaurants are very proud of their bouillabaisse recipe, which is a must-try if you're in the area. It's the signature dish of this corner of the Bouches du Rhône, on the outskirts of Marseille.
NEIGHBOURING TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Roquefort la Bédoule (10 km), Cassis (11 km), Saint Cyr sur Mer (11 km) and Cuges les Pins (21 km).