Sausset les Pins
The Bouches du Rhone Departement - Population : 7,790 inh.
36km west of Marseille and 20km from Marseille Marignane Airport.
Sausset les Pins is located on the sea front, along the Cote Bleue (Blue coast) and is a pretty fishing port.
Only about 40 kilometres away from Marseille, it is a charming village surrounded by the aromatic garrigue (scrubland) and pine forests
The village lies in an area of exceptional natural beauty between the sea and pine forests.
You’ll fall in love with its charming port, overlooked by a 19th-century castle (Chateau Charles Roux), its little pedestrian streets, its outdoor cafes with views over the harbour, its lively market and its air of simplicity, a far cry from the glamour of the Cote d'Azur.
Over the years, Sausset has developed from a small fishing village with scarcely 200 inhabitants to become a small, family seaside resort.
Little by little, the number of houses has increased and extensive building has taken place on the hills facing the port. Beautiful, sea-facing houses lie along the coast road, shaded by pine trees from the sun and the curiosity of passers-by.
As a stopping-off point between Cap Couronne to the west and Cap Méjean to the east, the port with its 500 moorings shelters both sailing and fishing boats. True to its traditions, fishing provides Sausset’s main focus, from highly competitive tuna fishing on the high seas to traditional coastal fishing for rock fish.
Sardine and tuna festivals and fishing competitions enliven the port throughout the summer months and in January there are shellfish and sea urchin festivals..
Sausset les Pins stretches along the coast in a succession of small creeks, white, shingly beaches and tiny rocky inlets. You can explore them by following the old customs and excise path which winds along the coast between Marseille and Martigues.
There is a 5 km promenade which has been laid out as part of the GR51 coastal path. This is easily accessible and gives the visitor superb panoramas over the bay of Marseille and its islands.
Sausset is part of the Parc Marin de la Côte Bleue and divers can explore the depths of the sea and the artificial reefs laid out along Sausset’s coast.
People who like sunbathing and lazing around will enjoy themselves on the pebbly beaches (don’t forget to bring a mat to lie on!) or in a small, peaceful inlet off the beaten track.
In the surroundings of Sausset, in the hills and the garrigue, you can also make beautiful walks in the middle of the pine forests which dominate the sea. The paths are marked and practicable on foot, by bicycle or on horseback.
You will cross a superb, unspoiled and fragrant nature (Attention: access prohibited to massifs by wind greater than 40km / h and from July 1 to mid September because of the drought and fire risks!).
Find a hotel or B&B in this village :
Click on the banner below to see the hotels and B&Bs we recommend in this village :
What to see:
The natural landscape: the sea, coast, inlets and garrigue... Leisure activities:
Market on Thursday morning (Place de la Mairie in winter and by the harbour in summer)and Sunday morning (Boulevard Audibert).
Sailing, diving, fishing, surfing, boat trips out to sea.
Walking, mountain biking and horse-riding
Horse riding centre. Mini golf. Tennis. Boules.
2 art galleries.
Summer events.
Last 3 Sundays in January: sea urchin festival, sea festival, craft fair.
March: Cote Bleue plant festival.
July: fishermen's festival, sardine festival and tuna festival, craft fair.
August: nautical extravaganza (14th), fishing competition.
Weekend before Christmas: Salon de Noel (events and craft fair).
Accommodation:
Hotels.
Holiday rentals.
Neighbouring towns and villages:
Carry le Rouet (6km), Martigues (12km), Ensues la Redonne (14km) and Chateauneuf les Martigues (16km).
