I'm coming by train to Martigues
More and more holidaymakers are choosing to travel by train. Martigues is fortunate to have three stations, including one on the Côte Bleue. Renowned for the Mediterranean scenery it offers, the Côte Bleue train serves Martigues on its way to Marseille and Miramas.
From Marseille's Gare Saint-Charles station, take the Côte Bleue train to Ensuès-la-Redonne, Carry-le-Rouet, Sausset-les-Pins and La Couronne. The more adventurous can continue their journey to Martigues station (Lavéra) and the Croix-Sainte stop on the outskirts of the town.
We'll give you all the tips and tricks you need to visit Martigues or enjoy the beaches and walks of the Côte Bleue when you travel by train.
We'll give you all the tips and tricks you need to visit Martigues or enjoy the beaches and walks of the Côte Bleue when you travel by train.
Imminent stop at La Couronne station
Whether you're coming on holiday to one of the campsites on the Mediterranean coast or to one of the holiday lets, you'll disembark at La Couronne station, right next to the village. In the very heart of the village, just a 5-minute walk away, you can enjoy the local market every Wednesday and Saturday morning. You can also walk to the sandy beaches from the station. The beaches of Sainte-Croix and La Saulce can be reached via the stadium path. The beach at La Couronne can be reached via a stairway from the village.
Right on the beach, you can hire a pedal boat or paddle board and enjoy water sports activities with the whole family. There's plenty for thrill-seekers too. Head for the Port des Tamaris to reach the Water Sports 13 water sports centre. With jet-skiing without a licence, towed buoy rides and canoeing-kayaking, you can combine gliding with fun and take home some unforgettable memories.
From the station, you can also set off directly on the Grande boucle de Cap Couronne. Put on your trainers and follow the trail to discover the exceptional natural and historical heritage of this unspoilt area. Other local loops of the Grand Sentier de la Côte Bleue, between 4 and 12 km long and starting 3km away, will take you inland and along the coastal path, where you'll come across bunkers, pillboxes and other observation posts steeped in history.
The village of Carro borders La Couronne, and can be reached from La Couronne station by walking along La Couronne beach. Carro has retained its old-fashioned charm. With its small sandy beach and fishing port, its morning fish market and its fishing museum, you'll be in for a real change of scene. Carro is also famous for its surf spot at Les Arnettes and its coastal greenway that runs alongside wild creeks. It's not uncommon to see surf enthusiasts challenging the waves.
○ All you need to know about access
- Take the stadium path in the village of La Couronne to reach the Sainte-Croix and La Saulce beaches, as well as the Marius, Pascalounet and La Source campsites. A 3.3km route, 35 minutes on foot.
- Line 30 of the Ulysse network also serves the beaches of Sainte-Croix (11 minutes), La Couronne (10 minutes) and Carro (9 minutes). The bus stop is located just above La Couronne station, opposite the Tourist Information Office.
- La Couronne market is a 5-minute walk from La Couronne station. The Carro market (Wednesday and Saturday mornings) and the fish market in the port of Carro (every morning) are a 24-minute walk away, or 9 minutes by Ulysse bus (line 30).
- The local loops of the Grand Sentier de la Côte Bleue have their own starting points. The trails closest to La Couronne station are : the Grande boucle de Cap Couronne (1 minute on foot), the Boucle botanique de la plaine de Carro (1.8 km - 22 minutes on foot or 11 minutes by Ulysse L30 bus), the Boumandariel local loop (1.9 km - 23 minutes on foot or 8 minutes by Ulysse L30 bus), the Boucle des Carrières de pierre de La Couronne (2 km - 25 minutes on foot or 14 minutes by Ulysse L30 bus), the Boucle des Vestiges militaires (3. 2 km - 39 minutes on foot).
- The water sports activities offered by the Tourist Office are located on La Couronne beach (13 minutes on foot or 8 minutes by Ulysse bus (Line 30)), at the Port des Tamaris (17 minutes by Ulysse bus L30) or at the Port de Carry-le-Rouet.
Right on the beach, you can hire a pedal boat or paddle board and enjoy water sports activities with the whole family. There's plenty for thrill-seekers too. Head for the Port des Tamaris to reach the Water Sports 13 water sports centre. With jet-skiing without a licence, towed buoy rides and canoeing-kayaking, you can combine gliding with fun and take home some unforgettable memories.
From the station, you can also set off directly on the Grande boucle de Cap Couronne. Put on your trainers and follow the trail to discover the exceptional natural and historical heritage of this unspoilt area. Other local loops of the Grand Sentier de la Côte Bleue, between 4 and 12 km long and starting 3km away, will take you inland and along the coastal path, where you'll come across bunkers, pillboxes and other observation posts steeped in history.
Carro, a small fishing village
The village of Carro borders La Couronne, and can be reached from La Couronne station by walking along La Couronne beach. Carro has retained its old-fashioned charm. With its small sandy beach and fishing port, its morning fish market and its fishing museum, you'll be in for a real change of scene. Carro is also famous for its surf spot at Les Arnettes and its coastal greenway that runs alongside wild creeks. It's not uncommon to see surf enthusiasts challenging the waves.
○ All you need to know about access
- Take the stadium path in the village of La Couronne to reach the Sainte-Croix and La Saulce beaches, as well as the Marius, Pascalounet and La Source campsites. A 3.3km route, 35 minutes on foot.
- Line 30 of the Ulysse network also serves the beaches of Sainte-Croix (11 minutes), La Couronne (10 minutes) and Carro (9 minutes). The bus stop is located just above La Couronne station, opposite the Tourist Information Office.
- La Couronne market is a 5-minute walk from La Couronne station. The Carro market (Wednesday and Saturday mornings) and the fish market in the port of Carro (every morning) are a 24-minute walk away, or 9 minutes by Ulysse bus (line 30).
- The local loops of the Grand Sentier de la Côte Bleue have their own starting points. The trails closest to La Couronne station are : the Grande boucle de Cap Couronne (1 minute on foot), the Boucle botanique de la plaine de Carro (1.8 km - 22 minutes on foot or 11 minutes by Ulysse L30 bus), the Boumandariel local loop (1.9 km - 23 minutes on foot or 8 minutes by Ulysse L30 bus), the Boucle des Carrières de pierre de La Couronne (2 km - 25 minutes on foot or 14 minutes by Ulysse L30 bus), the Boucle des Vestiges militaires (3. 2 km - 39 minutes on foot).
- The water sports activities offered by the Tourist Office are located on La Couronne beach (13 minutes on foot or 8 minutes by Ulysse bus (Line 30)), at the Port des Tamaris (17 minutes by Ulysse bus L30) or at the Port de Carry-le-Rouet.
What if I wanted to visit Saint-Julien-les-Martigues and Saint-Pierre-les-Martigues?
This is the ideal place to discover the local producers of Martigues ! In Saint-Julien-les-Martigues, you can visit the cooperative winery and its vineyards on one of the three beginner-friendly winegrowers' trails. Every Saturday morning, we invite you to the farmers' market in the village square to buy bread baked with organic flour, fish and shellfish of the day, fruit and vegetables picked up on the farm and goat's cheese, including the famous Brousse du Rove sold by the goat farmer himself. There's only one step from producer to customer!
On the other side of the main road, take the time to visit the village of Saint-Pierre-les-Martigues with its church and Gallic oppidum, evidence of a Gallo-Roman settlement dating from the 6th century BC. Close to the village, out of sight, is the Aïoli Caganis farm. This agro-ecological farm offers a range of unique experiences, including a producers' village on Saturday mornings, a farm plate at lunchtime on Saturdays and a surprise gourmet menu in the evenings. It's a place that's well worth the diversions for a totally immersive experience !
○ All you need to know about access
- The village of Saint-Julien-les-Martigues is accessible by bus via line 30 of the Ulysse bus service to Les Ventrons and then the L55 of the LeCar network, which serves the villages of the Côte Bleue (55 minutes). This route also serves the cooperative winery.
- The three winegrowers' trails start in front of the Cave Coopérative. The grape varieties loop (4km, 1h30), the panoramic loop (11km, 2h30), the Venise Provençale loop (19km, 4h30).
- The Croix d'Estrine farmhouse is served by the Ulysse bus line 30 (19 minutes). You'll need the same amount of time on line 30 to reach the Aioli Caganis farm in Saint-Pierre-les-Martigues. You'll need to walk for a few minutes to reach both farms.
To visit Martigues, get off at Martigues station
The Côte Bleue train serves Martigues station (Lavéra) on the outskirts of the town centre. If you want to visit the tourist sites and discover the cultural heritage of our destination, you should opt for this service. A 2km greenway links Martigues station to the town centre, so all you have to do is let yourself be guided! This route runs alongside the canal, passing under the Caronte railway bridge (a swing bridge that allows trains and liners to cohabit) and the motorway viaduct. Continuing along this greenway, you'll have a chance to see the Calen facilities (one of the last in France) before reaching the lift bridge linking the Jonquières and Ile districts.
In Jonquières town centre, take a break on the Cours du 4 Septembre and enjoy a refreshing drink under the plane trees, near the fountains that adorn the square. On the Cours, stop off at the Aux perles de l'étang shop to sample the specialities of this artisan confectioner: Les perles de l'étang and Tomettes provençales.
Jonquières is also the perfect place to learn about the history of the white penitents when you visit the Chapelle de l'Annonciade. Listed as a historic monument since 1910, it boasts a bell tower in the Provençal Baroque style. You'll need to cross the Pont Raising (the old swing bridge) to reach the Ile district. Perhaps you'll be lucky enough to see it rise up to let the liners that sail to the Etang de Berre from the Mediterranean pass over it, taking up all the road traffic. What a sight!
The heart of Martigues is in the Ile district. With its colourful facades and canals, this is where the nickname of Martigues, "La Venise Provençale", takes on its full meaning. Along the way, you'll come across statues of Bourvil and Fernandel near the house in the shape of a Gendarme's hat, a tribute to the film "La Cuisine au Beurre", shot in Martigues and used as a set. A few steps away, the Miroir aux Oiseaux will reveal itself before your very eyes. You'll be charmed by the gentleness of the place. Traditional boats are moored at the entrances to the uniformly coloured houses. Opposite stands the majestic church of Sainte Marie-Madeleine. This is the town's most imposing church, whose Provençal baroque decor echoes Italian influences.
In Ferrières, you can discover the free museums of Martigues. The Musée Ziem has a permanent exhibition on the top floor featuring works by the painter Félix Ziem, who lived in Martigues, and archaeological remains found during excavations at the Saint-Pierre-les-Martigues and Tholon sites. The Ferrières district is also home to the History Gallery, showcasing the past, present and future of Martigues. It's also in this part of the town that you can visit the Cinémathèque Gnidzaz, where the oldest projection apparatus dating back to 1880 has been exploded.
○ All you need to know about access
- Martigues town centre can be reached from Lavéra station via the voie verte (2km) or lines 23 and 26 of the Ulysse bus network (10 minutes from Jonquières, 14 minutes from Ferrières). To visit Jonquières town centre, we recommend stopping at the Jonquières Church stop. To visit the Ile district, stop at L'Ile. To visit Ferrières town centre, stop at Place des Aires. To visit the History Gallery or see Le Calen, get off at the Pôle d'échanges terminus.
- To cross the various districts of the town centre, opt for the free maritime shuttle. It runs all year round and serves one stop in each district. All you have to do is wait 10 minutes for the shuttle to return from one point to another as the currents change.
- The little tourist train runs in the summer and during school holidays (zone B). It allows you to stop close to the major sites to visit.
Jonquières is also the perfect place to learn about the history of the white penitents when you visit the Chapelle de l'Annonciade. Listed as a historic monument since 1910, it boasts a bell tower in the Provençal Baroque style. You'll need to cross the Pont Raising (the old swing bridge) to reach the Ile district. Perhaps you'll be lucky enough to see it rise up to let the liners that sail to the Etang de Berre from the Mediterranean pass over it, taking up all the road traffic. What a sight!
The charm of Provençal Venice
The heart of Martigues is in the Ile district. With its colourful facades and canals, this is where the nickname of Martigues, "La Venise Provençale", takes on its full meaning. Along the way, you'll come across statues of Bourvil and Fernandel near the house in the shape of a Gendarme's hat, a tribute to the film "La Cuisine au Beurre", shot in Martigues and used as a set. A few steps away, the Miroir aux Oiseaux will reveal itself before your very eyes. You'll be charmed by the gentleness of the place. Traditional boats are moored at the entrances to the uniformly coloured houses. Opposite stands the majestic church of Sainte Marie-Madeleine. This is the town's most imposing church, whose Provençal baroque decor echoes Italian influences.
In Ferrières, you can discover the free museums of Martigues. The Musée Ziem has a permanent exhibition on the top floor featuring works by the painter Félix Ziem, who lived in Martigues, and archaeological remains found during excavations at the Saint-Pierre-les-Martigues and Tholon sites. The Ferrières district is also home to the History Gallery, showcasing the past, present and future of Martigues. It's also in this part of the town that you can visit the Cinémathèque Gnidzaz, where the oldest projection apparatus dating back to 1880 has been exploded.
○ All you need to know about access
- Martigues town centre can be reached from Lavéra station via the voie verte (2km) or lines 23 and 26 of the Ulysse bus network (10 minutes from Jonquières, 14 minutes from Ferrières). To visit Jonquières town centre, we recommend stopping at the Jonquières Church stop. To visit the Ile district, stop at L'Ile. To visit Ferrières town centre, stop at Place des Aires. To visit the History Gallery or see Le Calen, get off at the Pôle d'échanges terminus.
- To cross the various districts of the town centre, opt for the free maritime shuttle. It runs all year round and serves one stop in each district. All you have to do is wait 10 minutes for the shuttle to return from one point to another as the currents change.
- The little tourist train runs in the summer and during school holidays (zone B). It allows you to stop close to the major sites to visit.
Ideas for a visit with children?
You can discover the most emblematic sites in a fun way by visiting the Martigues Tourist Office. You can buy a treasure hunter's box and take part in a series of enigmas and exploration games. Your role? Reconcile the three fishermen brothers following a family dispute. Don't worry, Mamie Louche will be with you every step of the way.
Take a gourmet break at one of the town centre ice cream parlours. You won't be able to resist the gelati from our artisan ice-cream maker "Gelateria Arnaldo", which you'll find right in his workshop!
What if I stop off at Croix-Sainte?
From Croix-Sainte, you can reach Martigues town centre on two greenways. The first greenway runs along Avenue Clément Escoffier, enabling you to walk safely along the road for 2.9 km. The second runs along the sports trail and then joins the greenway on Avenue Urdy Milou over a distance of 3.3 km.
From Croix-Sainte station, walkers can choose to take the two GR2013 footpaths. One heads towards Martigues town centre on the higher ground. The second heads towards Port-de-Bouc, crossing the River Gafette. You can also visit the Grand Parc de Figuerolles, with over 130 hectares of greenery for beautiful walks on the heights of the Etang de Berre. The park is also child-friendly, with a free educational farm, a tree-climbing course and a Randoland games booklet that requires you to be observant throughout the park.
○ All you need to know about access
- Take the green route via the Croix-Sainte sports trail and Avenue Urdy Milou. You'll have the chance to see the industrial character of Martigues, in particular the former Verminck factory. 3.2 km, 38 minutes on foot. Alternatively, take the green route to the city centre via Avenue Clément Escoffier. 2.9 km, 38 minutes on foot.
- The Grand Parc de Figuerolles is a great place to spend an exciting day with children. It can be reached by Ulysse bus (line 22 or line 24) in 45 to 55 minutes.
- You can also reach the Cercle de Voile de Martigues by bus. The club offers a range of activities for individuals, including windsurfing, paddle hire and kayak hire. Explore the Etang de Berre, Europe's second-largest saltwater lake, and discover the flora and fauna of this local jewel. Accessible from Croix-Sainte station in 40 minutes by Ulysse bus lines 22 and 24.
From Croix-Sainte station, walkers can choose to take the two GR2013 footpaths. One heads towards Martigues town centre on the higher ground. The second heads towards Port-de-Bouc, crossing the River Gafette. You can also visit the Grand Parc de Figuerolles, with over 130 hectares of greenery for beautiful walks on the heights of the Etang de Berre. The park is also child-friendly, with a free educational farm, a tree-climbing course and a Randoland games booklet that requires you to be observant throughout the park.
○ All you need to know about access
- Take the green route via the Croix-Sainte sports trail and Avenue Urdy Milou. You'll have the chance to see the industrial character of Martigues, in particular the former Verminck factory. 3.2 km, 38 minutes on foot. Alternatively, take the green route to the city centre via Avenue Clément Escoffier. 2.9 km, 38 minutes on foot.
- The Grand Parc de Figuerolles is a great place to spend an exciting day with children. It can be reached by Ulysse bus (line 22 or line 24) in 45 to 55 minutes.
- You can also reach the Cercle de Voile de Martigues by bus. The club offers a range of activities for individuals, including windsurfing, paddle hire and kayak hire. Explore the Etang de Berre, Europe's second-largest saltwater lake, and discover the flora and fauna of this local jewel. Accessible from Croix-Sainte station in 40 minutes by Ulysse bus lines 22 and 24.
Discover the TER SNCF tourist map
Visit the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region from Martigues. We've selected the biggest towns in the immediate vicinity for you. Also accessible by train from our railway stations, prepare your trip and discover the activities to enjoy.
Brought to you by TER SNCF