The Côte Bleue is a stretch of coastline in Provence, stretching from Estaque, north of Marseille, to Martigues.
The name comes from the color of the water, thanks to which many tourists are enchanted.
The Côte Bleue is a stretch of coastline in Provence, stretching from Estaque, north of Marseille, to Martigues. The name comes from the color of the water.
25 kilometers long, the Côte Bleue offers a raw and extremely well-preserved coastline. Suitable for hiking, swimming, sliding sports and diving, it is popular with Marseillais seeking the great outdoors. To capture all its charm, discover it aboard the Côte Bleue little train. A rail line attached to the side of the Estaque chain. The route includes 7 stations, 45 underpasses, 21 overpasses, 2 bridges and 18 viaducts, four of which bear the “Heritage of the 20th Century” label.
Of great interest is certainly the Parc Marin de la Côte Bleue. Created in 1983, the Parc Marin de la Côte Bleue houses the protected maritime areas of Carry-le-Rouet, Ensuès-la-Redonne, Martigues, Le Rove, and Sausset-les-Pins. Its purpose is to preserve the fauna and flora of the coast. To this end, fishing, anchoring and diving are prohibited. The economic and social development of sea-related activities, particularly professional and artisanal fishing, is encouraged. Thanks to the work of the park, the marine fauna of the coast has developed significantly in recent years.
The coast of the Côte Bleue is dotted with surprising archaeological remains, bearing witness to the presence of man since ancient times. At Saint-Mitre-les-Remparts, near theEtang de Berre, archaeological excavations at Saint-Blaise have revealed the occupation of the site from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages. Also on the banks of the Etang de Berre, in Saint-Chamas, you can admire the Pont Flavien, a Roman building from the 1st century AD, built overhanging the Touloubre. Along the path from Lavera to Sausset-les-Pins, there are the remains of ancient coastal quarries. The rock bears traces of the size of the stones that were transported by sea to Marseille, from the 5th century BC.