Châteauneuf-Les-Martigues: Holiday apartments and houses

The Vallon du Saut is home to prehistoric sites, including the Grotte du Desbaussadou and the Fortin du Saut. The Abri de la Font-aux-Pigeons also dates back a long way: it was inhabited for more than 5,000 years, from the Mesolithic to the end of the Neolithic.

Renting a holiday apartment in Châteauneuf-les-Martigues is one possible travel plan for this destination.

Nature

Barlatier-Patafloux combines a pine forest with a marshland area and lies between the Étang de Bolmon to the north and agricultural land to the south. The Étang de Bolmon and its surrounding marshes are designated as a Natura 2000 site.

Hundreds of bird species can be found in Barlatier-Patafloux, including flamingos, little egrets and herons. The area also features a landscaped path and two observation points from which visitors can explore the area.

Hiking and walks

The Sentier de Découverte follows an approximately 500 m-long route through the hills of Châteauneuf-les-Martigues, from Font-aux-Pigeons to the Puits de Barbe. The trail follows the historic route from the old village to the Puits de Barbe and includes a stop at the Grotte du Figuier.

The Sentier de Découverte serves as a basis for guided or educational walks on the subjects of prehistory, geology, rural and pastoral life, Mediterranean flora and geography. The rock walls of the Vallon du Saut are suitable for climbing; the circular trail there is included in the departmental plan for short-distance hiking trails (PDIPR).

Section A05 of the GR2013 from Châteauneuf-les-Martigues to Martigues is 13.3 km long.

Culture and history

The Musée des Amis de Castrum Vetus is located in the Hôtel particulier of the Seytres-Caumont family, the last lords of Châteauneuf-les-Martigues, and has a room dedicated to local geology. Individual visitors can tour the museum independently or join a guided tour on request; general, period-specific and thematic tours are offered.

The Trabaques lottery was introduced in 1763 to allocate places for fishing nets at the Étang de Bolmon. The Trabaques tradition continues, even though fishing at the Étang de Bolmon has been prohibited since 2000.

The Chapelle des Marquis de Seytres Caumont dates from the 17th century. The Chapelle Sainte-Cécile is considered the oldest religious building in the municipality.

The Cinéma Marcel Pagnol offers film screenings and regular cultural events relating to the art of cinema.

Transport

The starting point of section A05 of the GR2013 is at the Rond-point de la Glacière bus stop; it is served by Cartreize route 34 from Marseille and route 39 from Aix-en-Provence.

Other destinations in the same selection are: Saint-Cannat, Saint-Étienne-du-Grès, Jouques, Ventabren, Rognes, Aubagne, Paluds De Noves and Châteauneuf-Le-Rouge.

For the higher-level travel overview: Bouches Du Rhone.