Very
protected thanks to the creation of a maritime park in 1983, la Côte bleue (the
blue coast) offers, on about 40 km between Marseille and Martigues, magnificent
calcareous landscapes of cliffs pierced by the creeks of Vesse, Niolon, Méjean,
La Redonne. In sea border the villages of Carry-le-Rouet, Sausset-les-Pins and
Carro are dedicated to the enjoyments of the beach and the water, in the shade
of the smile of Fernandel, who lived in Carry.
Here
the nature proposes exceptional panoramas to the walkers, unique sights to the
amateurs of submarine dive, creeks nested in the hollows of cliffs or big sandy
beaches to the brown holiday-makers.
The
creek of Méjean
Tourist, but less exposed
than the Côte d'Azur, la Côte bleue preserves a wild character where the blue
of the sea drowns itself in the azure of the sky, and the calcareous white of
creeks contrasts with the brilliant green of the scrubland.
La
Vesse
The
creek of Vesse marks the beginning of La côte bleue. Shielded from the viaduct
of the vesse (railroad built in 1915), a tiny beach snuggled up at the foot hill
of the the massif of Nerthe. .
On
this part of the coast the steep slopes, constituted by dolomitiques cliffs, are
ripped in hooks and in needles.
Niolon
Difficult of access, the
creek of Niolon is a small hidden pearl. The Mecca of the submarine dive, the
transparency of waters is a big pleasure for the divers, the amateurs of bathing
and fishing.
From
this creek, le chemin des douaniers (the path of the customs officers), rather
difficult, leads the walkers either towards Marseille, or towards the other creeks
of La Côte bleue.
Méjean
The
creeks of Méjean, of La Redonne and of La Madrague
de Gignac are no doubt the most beautiful of La Côte bleue. Difficult of access,
these creeks spread a wild aspect to the walkers.
More
than words, photos speak by themselves...
La
Redonne
More
narrow than the creek of Niolon, the cove of La Redonne seems to have been drilled
by the foam. Here, the blocks of rocks of the small dike which closes the port
are of use as solarium to the tourists.
La
Madrague de gignac
The
road of access is sporty but once the accomplished effort, we have pleasure, since
the cape on the right of the creek, to enjoy an exceptional sight on this one
and the nearby creeks.
Carry
le rouet
World-famous
village thanks to Fernandel (french actor), its previous history go back up in
the middle of the 13 th century.
It
is a sea resort very frequented in summer. The tourist activities are very diversified
(sandy beaches, water sports, casino) and cultural events (exhibitions of paintings)
of gastronomic (oursinades) takes place there regularly.
Sausset
les Pins
In
this old small fishing port, settled in a creek, the pedestrian streets, the terraces
of coffee opened on the port and dominated by a castle, a small market in the
purest Provençal tradition, allowed the village to protect an "art of living".
A
walk fitted out on about 13 km, goes along a succession of beaches and creeks,
quite devoted in sea pleasure.
Les
Tamaris - Sainte Croix
The
most beautiful beaches of La Côte bleue are here.
On
this part of the municipal territory of Martigues, there is really no hamlet,
just a chapel, some cabanons and campsites. However, the place victim of its charm
is over frequented.
La
Couronne - Carro
The
municipality of Martigues fits out these small coves and beaches, while protecting
wild character of the coast.
It
is also a place loaded with history because vestiges dating neolithic time were
detected there. Also celebrate for its shells embedded limestone very appreciated
during the Antiquity.
