La Ciotat
Last update on
Sep 17, 2026
35 km. east of Marseille on highway A50.
Discover the charming town of La Ciotat, near Marseille
La Ciotat, a town surrounded by creeks and inlets
Along a coastline of more than 20km, La Ciotat and the sea have been intimately linked since ancient times. To the west, the town is underlined by beautiful creeks and the highest sea cliffs in Europe, culminating in Cap Canaille (394m).
Where to stay
To the east, the Gulf of Amours offers numerous sandy beaches and a marina with 850 berths. There are also many restaurants and hotels worthy of the finest seaside resorts.
The old town and its monuments bear witness to a rich historical past. It was here, in 1895, that the famous Lumière brothers, the fathers of cinema, took their first famous shots entitled "L'arrivée d'un train en gare de La Ciotat" (The arrival of a train at La Ciotat station).
The oldest cinema in the world
The oldest cinema in the world still exists, and it was at the Eden Théâtre in La Ciotat that the first public screening took place on 28 September 1895: spectators went wild as they watched images of the train hurtling towards them.
The picturesque port of La Ciotat
La Ciotat will charm you with its picturesque old fishing port, its beautiful 17th-century houses around the harbour, and its Mediterranean atmosphere. Don't hesitate to take the magnificent Route des Crêtes, where you'll find an exceptional panorama of the whole bay.
Mugel Park
Go for a walk in the Parc du Mugel, where you'll discover a pathway lined with vegetation as varied as it is abundant, with a breathtaking view of the town, the Pôle Nautique and the Ile Verte from the top.
Our interactive map of La Ciotat
To find your way around La Ciotat, you can use our interactive map on this page. We've included our accommodation recommendations so that you can locate them before booking your stay in La Ciotat.
The market in La Ciotat
There are several interesting markets in La Ciotat. The weekly market takes place on Tuesday mornings on Place Evariste Gras (see our map) and on Sunday mornings on the Port-Vieux and the Promenade. The organic market takes place on Saturday mornings at the Baromètre. There's also a lovely fish market every morning at Môle Bérouard (on the Port-Vieux).
What to see
The old Hotel de Ville (1864) wich is now the Ciotaden Museum (local and marine
history of Ciotat).
17th c. church. The churches of the blue and black penitents,
Notre Dame de la Garde Chapel (1610).
Eden Theater (1889).
Calanque de Figuerolles.
Things to do
All water sports and scuba diving, boating, excursions in the calanques. Green Island.
Walks. Hiking.
Climbing and speleology.
Tennis. Mountain biking. Swimming pool.
Cinema. Exhibitions. Casino.
Hotels
In the center, 600 m from the harbour and beaches, close to the Calanques
Rooms with en suite with shower, TV, free Wi-Fi
Restaurant
50€ - 125€
Airbnb
Discover our selection of houses, villas and apartments on Airbnb for an authentic stay in this Provençal village. You will love your vacation here.
Your questions about La Ciotat
You have sent us several questions about La Ciotat. Here are our answers to your most frequently asked questions.
How do you visit the calanques from La Ciotat?
La Ciotat is genuinely close to the Calanques: you can walk to the Mugel and Figuerolles calanques from the town center in about 20 minutes. You can also take bus line 30, which passes the Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Garde, worth a stop in its own right.
What to do in La Ciotat?
Swim in the calanques, visit the Notre Dame de la Garde chapel, have a drink on the harbor, go to the market, wander through the old town or the Parc du Mugel — there's plenty to do in La Ciotat. You'll find all our recommendations on this page, with photos to give you an idea.
Cassis or La Ciotat?
If you don't have time for both of these seaside towns, that's a real shame. Between the two, we're torn, but let's say Cassis has our preference. If you can, visit both — you won't be disappointed, and you'll know which one you prefer.
What is the local specialty in La Ciotat?
Local restaurants take great pride in their bouillabaisse recipe, and it's well worth trying if you're in the area. It's the signature dish of this corner of the Bouches du Rhône, near Marseille.
What are the inhabitants of La Ciotat called?
They're called "Ciotadens" and "Ciotadennes". The town has around 35,000 inhabitants, making it one of the larger communes in the Bouches du Rhône.
Nearby towns and villages
Roquefort la Bédoule (10 km), Cassis (11 km), Saint Cyr sur Mer (11 km) and Cuges les Pins (21 km).
