This coastal Mediterranean town has three connected islands linked by bridges, earning it the nickname "Venice of Provence." Its harbor has fishing boats and 17th-century canals.
Martigues stretches between the Mediterranean Sea and Étang de Berre, with its network of canals weaving through neighborhoods of blue, pink, and yellow houses. Artists Félix Ziem and Raoul Dufy painted here in the 19th century, capturing scenes of fishing boats and daily life along Canal Saint-Sébastien. You can walk through the 17th-century Miroir aux Oiseaux quarter, swim at La Couronne's beach, or see Ziem's paintings of local landscapes at the town museum.
Exploring the Canals of Miroir aux Oiseaux
Canal Saint-Sébastien runs through the center of Martigues, with pink and blue houses reflecting in the water. Small fishing boats line Quai Brescon's cobblestone waterfront, and 19th-century iron gaslights mark the walking paths. A free water shuttle connects four stops along the canals. In summer evenings, restaurant tables fill the waterfront, with diners watching boats pass by.
Beaches of the Côte Bleue
South of Martigues, limestone cliffs protect several sandy beaches. At Plage de Sainte-Croix, a stone stairway winds through pine trees down to a swimming area with gentle waves. Plage du Verdon stretches across a sheltered cove and includes volleyball courts and pedalo rentals. Both beaches have earned Blue Flag certification for their water quality and safety standards.
Art and Museums
The Musée Ziem occupies a former customs building near the canal. Its permanent collection includes paintings of Martigues by Félix Ziem, who worked in the town during the 1840s. The museum rotates temporary exhibitions of works by Auguste Rodin and Camille Claudel, and displays Roman and Greek artifacts found in local excavations.
Churches and Architecture
The 1680 Église Sainte-Madeleine-de-l'Île shows Italian Baroque elements in its stone facade and interior columns. The church contains a carved walnut pulpit from 1694 and Michel Serre's chapel frescos. From Chapelle Notre Dame des Marins, built on a hilltop in the 1600s as a sailors' sanctuary, you can see across the Étang de Berre to the Mediterranean.
Local Food and Markets
Vendors set up market stalls in the town center on Wednesday and Sunday mornings. Look for poutargue, a local dried fish roe that fishermen have made here since the 18th century. The town's wine cooperative makes Coteaux d'Aix en Provence wines from Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault grapes grown in nearby vineyards.
Parks and Nature Areas
Parc de Figuerolles covers 131 hectares along Étang de Berre. Walking paths lead through pine woods and Mediterranean plants, with signs identifying 50 native species. The park includes an educational farm with 300 animals, mountain biking trails through small valleys, and an equestrian center where you can arrange riding lessons.
