Place de la Libération
Historic site and monumentPresentation
Pedestrian square located in the heart of the Ile district of Martigues. It was on this square that the town's first market was established in 1359.
In the center, a fountain was erected in 1881 to celebrate the arrival of fresh water in the city from the Durance River.
The famous square becomes a dance floor in the summer, for the "Danses au Miiroir," Milonga evenings, and all kinds of dances on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Cafés and restaurants line the square.
This square offers a view of the Madeleine Church, the house with the gendarme's hat, and the statue of Bourvil and Fernandel. This statue was also created by Sébastien Langloÿs, as was the one of the fisherman and the mender located in the Ferrières district.
It refers to the film "La Cuisine au beurre," which was shot in Martigues in 1963, starring Bourvil and Fernandel. The sculptor deliberately added extra chairs to invite passersby to enter the work.
On the other side of the San Sebastian Canal, you can see the so-called Gendarme Hat House, distinguished by its scrolled façade and gable. Its balcony is made of wrought iron. This 17th-century building serves as a restaurant in the film, changing its name from "A la vraie bouillabaisse" to "La Sole normande."
Called "The Cathedral" by the locals, the Madeleine Church is the most imposing church in the town of Martigues. Built between 1670 and 1680, it bears witness to the town's prosperity in the 17th century and the devotion of the island's inhabitants, who helped finance it. It also faces the "Academia Café" restaurant, where birds nest to be reflected in the famous "Bird Mirror."
The famous square becomes a dance floor in the summer, for the "Danses au Miiroir," Milonga evenings, and all kinds of dances on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Cafés and restaurants line the square.
This square offers a view of the Madeleine Church, the house with the gendarme's hat, and the statue of Bourvil and Fernandel. This statue was also created by Sébastien Langloÿs, as was the one of the fisherman and the mender located in the Ferrières district.
It refers to the film "La Cuisine au beurre," which was shot in Martigues in 1963, starring Bourvil and Fernandel. The sculptor deliberately added extra chairs to invite passersby to enter the work.
On the other side of the San Sebastian Canal, you can see the so-called Gendarme Hat House, distinguished by its scrolled façade and gable. Its balcony is made of wrought iron. This 17th-century building serves as a restaurant in the film, changing its name from "A la vraie bouillabaisse" to "La Sole normande."
Called "The Cathedral" by the locals, the Madeleine Church is the most imposing church in the town of Martigues. Built between 1670 and 1680, it bears witness to the town's prosperity in the 17th century and the devotion of the island's inhabitants, who helped finance it. It also faces the "Academia Café" restaurant, where birds nest to be reflected in the famous "Bird Mirror."
Labels
- categories :
General information
- Parking :
- Parking nearby
- Environments :
- In centre of town
- Town location
- Pedestrian area
- In the old centre
- Services :
- Pets welcome
Services, Tours, Activities and entertainment
- Historical patrimony :
- Historic patrimony
- Square
- Historic district
Accessibility
- Accessible to disabled visitors :
- Reception staff sensitized to the reception of people with disabilities
Contact
Place de la Libération
Quartier de L'Île
13500
Martigues
Phone : +33 4 42 10 82 90
Phone : +33 4 42 49 03 30
Tarifs
Free access.

Destination
Place de la Libération
Quartier de L'Île
13500
Martigues
GPS coordinates
Latitude : 43.404702
Longitude : 5.054286
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