Located between the Provence region and the Côte d’Azur, 20 minutes from Marseille, La Ciotat is a seaside resort which has remained authentic !

Six kilometres of sandy beaches, two majestic narrow creeks (calanques) - Mugel and Figuerolles - sheltered bays, the “Ile Verte” only a few strokes away from the coast and the Parc du Mugel, with its rich variety of rare plants, make up the natural setting of La Ciotat.

Land of culture and invention, La Ciotat was the birthplace of the cinématographe invention thanks to the brothers Louis and Auguste Lumière who made the first film in the history of the cinema called “L’entrée du train en gare de La Ciotat” (The train arriving at La Ciotat station) in 1895, and in 1910, the Boules game of Petanque was born on a piece of land in La Ciotat. Numerous squares, chapels, and ancient town gates bear witness to a wealthy cultural past in the old city, combining history and heritage. The Museum will take you on a wonderful trip into the past.

All kinds of sporting activities are available: from boating in all its forms to the discovery of nature and hiking, not to mention fishing championships and car rallies amongst others. Large festivals and cultural events are also held throughout the year on quite eclectic topics such as music, jazz and cinema. Provençal and crafts markets, as well as the typical small shops offer their wares to visitors.

La Ciotat, health and coastal resort

2 flowers awarded in the Ville Fleurie (flowered towns) competition
National prize and 1st place in the département in the Maisons Fleuries (flowered houses) competitions
Awarded a Pavillon Bleu for the pleasure port and the Station Nautique (boating resort) label

La Ciotat, to enjoy ...

Spring ... Salon Nautique Marseille Provence Métropole (boating exhibition)
Summer ... Cinema Festival & Music Festival
Autumn .... Big Historical Festival "Once upon a time in 1720..."
Winter ... Christmas in the Provence

La Ciotat and nature

The highest seaside cliffs in Europe, le Cap Canaille
The Mugel and Figuerolles calanques (narrow creeks)
The Mugel Botanical Park
The Île Verte island

La Ciotat, in the town

La Chapelle des Pénitents Bleus (1626), Museum
The oldest surviving cinema in the world, the Eden
La Chapelle Notre-Dame de La Garde (collection of ex-votos)
The old town centre with its squares, chapels and gentleman’s houses

La Ciotat and leisure

Boat trips on the sea, diving, sailing, sea rowing, kayaks, surfing, swimming, jousting, hiking, climbing, speleology, pétanque, tennis, etc.
Theatre, cinema, dance, painting exhibitions, etc.