Marignane: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Marignane combines archaeological traces, historic buildings and protected landscapes by the water. Below the Notre-Dame sanctuary, the summit was settled by a Celto-Ligurian oppidum between the 4th and 2nd centuries BC. Those choosing Marignane as a destination may wish to rent a holiday apartment.

Culture and History

The largely re-covered excavations of the Oppidum de Notre-Dame de Pitié are marked by signs identifying the main archaeological points of reference. The Musée Reynaud presents local archaeology from the excavations at Notre-Dame de Pitié. The religious history includes the Chapelle Notre-Dame de Pitié and Mont du Calvaire: the chapel crowns the religious site dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, while the present-day municipal Forêt Notre-Dame extends over 65 hectares. The Chapelle Notre-Dame de Pitié is open for visits on the first Sunday of each month from 2 to 5 p.m.

The Église Saint-Nicolas preserves a monumental gilded wooden altarpiece from the 16th century. The Château de Marignane brings together the historical phases of a medieval fortress, a Renaissance residence, an hôtel particulier, a city palace and a town hall. Between 1690 and 1700, a classical façade reminiscent of the Palazzo Farnese united the buildings of the Château de Marignane. The Croix de Marignane trail leads to crosses and oratories that have shaped Marignane’s urban or rural landscape; some of them have survived to this day.

Around 1900, the Village de l’Estéou attracted numerous photographers because of its picturesque accommodation for fishermen, shepherds and hunters in the Camargue style. On the shore of the Étang de Bolmon stands the Pavillon cynégétique – Cabane camarguaise, a small building with the characteristic features and style of Camargue architecture.

Nature and Landscape

Le Jaï is a strip of land more than 5 kilometres long and approximately 250 metres wide on average, separating the Étang de Berre from the Étang de Bolmon. Colline Notre-Dame reaches a maximum height of 104 metres. Notre-Dame hill has several kilometres of paths for walking, running and mountain biking, including the GR®2013.

The Sentier Petite Camargue de Marignane Les Paluns is a 6.5-kilometre discovery trail through the Paluns-Patafloux-Barlatier wetlands at the Étang de Bolmon and along the Canal du Rove. It is located in the protected natural area of Bolmon and Le Jaï, which belongs to the Conservatoire du Littoral. The raised wooden boardwalk on the Bolmon discovery trail is accessible to people with reduced mobility. In addition, the Bolmon discovery trail is connected by bicycle to the Le Jaï cycle path.

The coastal strip of Le Jaï can be explored on foot or by bicycle. The Randonnée Nature au village des pêcheurs leads to the mouth of the Cadière at the Étang de Bolmon, the historic fishing village, Pointe du Ruisseau and the Canal du Rove.

Paths and Leisure

The Balade numérique on the Marignane section of the GR®2013 is a 14-kilometre visitor route with 16 stops. Along the Marignane section, it uses 16 QR code markers.

The sports and leisure complex at l’Estéou includes a skate park, a climbing wall, a recreation area, children’s play facilities and a viewpoint. It covers 6.6 landscaped hectares on the Étang de Bolmon. L’Estéou is also a stop on the Balade des familles, which connects the shore of the Étang de Bolmon with the shore of the Canal du Rove.

At the Le Jaï kitesurfing spot, some areas are reserved for kitesurfing and others exclusively for swimming. Intrigue dans la Ville® is a family crime mystery in Marignane: hidden clues are discovered throughout the town, and the plot revolves around the theft of the votive offerings from the Chapelle Notre-Dame de Pitié.

Getting Around

Marignane is located near the Pas des Lanciers TER station and the Aix-Arbois TGV station. Marseille-Provence Airport is located within the municipality of Marignane on the shore of the Étang de Berre. Markets with local vendors take place in Marignane on Tuesdays and Saturdays in the car park of Parc Camoin.

Other destinations: Auriol, Plan-D'orgon, Raphèle-Les-Arles, Vitrolles, Gréasque, La Destrousse, Carry-Le-Rouet, Rognes

To the overarching travel overview: Bouches Du Rhone.