Course of 4th September

Historic site and monument
  • Cours du 4 septembre
  • Cours du 4 septembre
  • Cours du 4 septembre
  • Cours du 4 septembre
Cours du 4 septembreCours du 4 septembreCours du 4 septembreCours du 4 septembre

Presentation

The September 4 Course is entirely pedestrian. It is to Martigues what the Cours Mirabeau is to Aix-en-Provence. It is the main place in Jonquières where we find traders and entertainment.
Built between 1811 and 1813, the Cours du 4 Septembre provided the connection with the suburbs. It is here that Raoul Dufy painted Le Théâtre aux Martigues in 1903, taking inspiration from the Théâtre de la Cascade located on Le Cours. The theater was attached to the very chic Modern'Hôtel which gave it the feel of a resort.

Le Cours was always the business center of Martigues. It was here that we found the rare hotels, restaurants and large cafes. Renovated and pedestrianized, the course has regained the vocation of an esplanade that it had at the end of the 19th century.

During the redevelopment work, seven pieces of walls were found. They belong to the same period as the ramparts of Jonquières. The ramparts are built as a bastion, a defense system from Italy, adopted throughout Europe, to adapt to a new use of firearms. Le Cours is the first boulevard to be built in Martigues. It follows the route of the ramparts of Jonquières.

At the end of the Cours, you can see an imposing building, formerly a large luxurious hotel. The only hotel to have a view of the sea and the pond, facing south, with a lounge and a grand piano. Made up of twelve rooms, a stable, a garden and a private garage, this ideally located hotel promised beautiful walks in the city center of Martigues. Its construction dates back to the beginning of the 20th century.

This hotel, which later became a private home, was requisitioned by the Germans during the Second World War. Ammunition was stored there in the cellar and garage. Although it is now completely closed, the building remains imposing and continues to have its effect. The facade has not changed.

Today, the Cours du 4 September welcomes bars, cafés, restaurants and shops. In particular, you can have a drink under the plane trees, taste the gourmet specialties of the artisan pastry chef "Les pearls de l'étang" or set foot on land at the "Renaissance" hotel.
Accessible for disabled
General information
  • Parking :
    • Parking nearby
  • Environments :
    • In centre of town
    • Town location
    • Pedestrian area
  • Period :
    • 19th C
Services, Tours, Activities and entertainment
  • Environments :
    • Close to a public transportation
    • Close to pleasure port
    • Close to GR footpath
  • Historical patrimony :
    • Historic patrimony
    • Square

About

Mandatory mask wearing
Contact
Course of 4th September
13500
Martigues
Phone : +33 4 42 44 33 33

Tarifs

Free access.
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FICHE_INFO_SIMPLE_LIBELLE_DESTINATION
Cours du 4 Septembre
13500
Martigues
GPS coordinates
Latitude : 43.402616
Longitude : 5.055131