A Guide to the Best Things to do in La Ciotat
Last Updated on 14th June 2022 by Sophie Nadeau
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To the east of Marseille and on the edges of France, la Ciotat sits frozen in time. Full of quirky architecture and nestled alongside the sparkling azure sea, this sleepy village is the perfect place to escape to for a day, or at least a couple of hours. Here’s why you must visit this off the beaten path village, as well as what to see and do once in La Ciotat!
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Introducing La Ciotat, A Hidden Provençal Gem
Sure, everyone’s heard of Marseille, and Aix-en-Provence, but what about those smaller towns that aren’t mentioned in any guidebook? Of course, every travel book about Provence recommends that you visit the quaint little town on Cassis on any trip. And, obviously, they’re not wrong!
However, when it comes to seeking out smaller towns in Provence that are a little off the beaten path, there is an abundance to choose from, many of which are not frequented by tourists. Well, last summer, one such town fit the bill perfectly: the little town of La Ciotat, once a major industrial hub for shipbuilding.
It was my first day in Provence and I hadn’t visited for years. Having escaped the French capital for a week (and more rain than my umbrella could cope with), I was looking forward to good food, time with friends and soaking up some sun rays! After all, it was the summer and Provence seemed the perfect opportunity to make use of a summer wardrobe.
The name ‘La Ciotat’ comes from the Occitan word for city. Residents there are known as “Ciotadens” or “Ciotadennes” and the town first rose to prominence in the 15th century when it became known around the region for the townspeople’s skill in shipbuilding.
La Ciotat remained a hub of industry right up until the 1980s when the naval shipyard closed for the final time. Today, the town is a hub of trade and tourism in the region of Provence and is well-known for its role in several historical events which firmly placed La Ciotat on the map.
L’Arrivée d’un train en gare de La Ciotat
La Ciotat was the backdrop for one of the first ever motion films: ‘L’Arrivée d’un train en gare de La Ciotat.’ This can otherwise be translated into English as ‘the arrival of a train at la Ciotat Train Station.’
The silent 50-second trip depicts the arrival of a train at the port side train station and was filmed as early as 1896. Should you opt to research the short film silent film online, you’ll find that a popular myth incorrectly touts the original airing date as in 1895 in Paris.
Whatever the truth, one popular story about the first screening of the film suggests that people were so shocked and taken aback by the moving picture, that they ran away from the screening screaming!
The origins of the game of petanque
For fans of boules, the game of Pétanque likely needs no introduction. Pétanque is the game you see being played on little sand patches around cities like Paris, especially around Canal Saint-Martin. And it’s worth noting that the modern form of the game apparently originated in la Ciotat!
If you’re not familiar with the game, the play goes a little like this: a small ball (often wooden) is tossed a few meters away. Each player is given three metal, large balls (known as boules). The aim of the game is to get your ball as close to the small ball, touching it if you can.
As the game progresses, each player gets the chance to not only touch the small wooden ball but also to knock other players out of the running. The player with the closest boule at the end wins the game! Records suggest that the game was invented as early as 1907, with the first tournament being held in La Ciotat in 1910.
The beach at La Ciotat
Truth be told, I don’t think that I’ve ever seen water so crystal clear and… so empty! This is especially surprising as I visited the quaint village at the beginning of summer, towards the end of June. Perfect for bathing, the beach at La Ciotat was the perfect place for a quick dip and a lazy lie on the sandbank with a book in hand.
Surprisingly, due to the rocky nature of the region, the beach had to be artificially placed near the town. As such, it’s in prime position for swimming and bathing post exploring the maze of streets which make up the historic part of the village.
If you enjoy adventure travel and are wondering what to do in La Ciotat, then you might consider booking a Stand-Up Paddleboard Tour. Taking place with an instructor over the course of a couple of hours, this fun activity will allow you to enjoy a new perspective of the South of France coastline from the sea!
La Ciotat Old Town
Like many of the French towns that dot the region, la Ciotat has a vibrant and charming old town. Although we (mistakenly) spent the first few hours of our visit just wandering around the port and spending time in the commercial part of town, we soon realised that the Provençal settlement had so much more to offer.
The majority of the bars, restaurants, and shops in la Ciotat are concentrated to a single street which runs parallel to the port. This being said, the Older part of town is much more interesting.
Narrow streets, cobbled lanes, colourful shutters and we even stumbled across a statue displaying a statue bearing the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (the foundation of French law).
Where to eat in La Ciotat
There are a number of traditional French cafés and bistros scattered around La Ciotat. Though a little more touristy, those on the edge of the water offer by far the best views around sunset and are a great place to enjoy a glass of crisp rosé.
Café Acacia
One of the quaintest cafés in town is to be found in the form of Café Acacia. Highly well-reviewed, the delightful eatery is open from Tuesday through to Sunday and even boasts a Parisian-style terrace out the front. On the menu, visitors will find things such as speciality coffees and sweet treats. The interior of the café also doubles as a concept store selling small trinkets and souvenirs.
Where to stay in La Ciotat
Though this charming town could be visited simply as a day trip from Aix-en-Provence, if you’re looking for a slower pace and a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of modern day life, then it’s worth staying for several days.
Since La Ciotat tends to be a little cheaper in terms of accommodation than other towns in the area, it also makes for a great base from which to explore the wider region (particularly if you have access to a car!) Here are the best places to stay in La Ciotat (based on web reviews, location, and ratings):
The Crew House La Ciotat, 111 Rue Lapèrouse, 13600 La Ciotat
Constructed in 1930, this property is situated right in the heart of town and is a three bedroom holiday home equipped with WiFi, kitchen, and TV area, making it the perfect escape if you’re looking to travel in a larger group. Check prices and availability here.
Best Western Premier Hotel Vieux-Port, 252 Quai François Mitterrand, 13600 La Ciotat
Located along the seafront, the clean and comfortable three-star hotel offers free WiFi and is reasonably priced. Check prices and availability here.
Enjoyed reading this travel guide to La Ciotat? Pin it now, read it again later:
Can bicycles be rented in La Ciotat? We wanted to stay in Cassis in mid August, but the better hotels seem to be booked up. Bicycling to and fro seems like it could be an interesting option.
I’ve been here a few years now so I’ll add my penny’s worth. Visit the Ile Verte a wee Island a kilometer out which still has WW2 gun emplacements, a bar and woods. Cycle up the Route de Cretes, a high road linking La Ciotat and Cassis. Cheapest diving school in the region GPES. Great Coastal Rowing (aviron de mer) club SNC. Fun fact Thomas Cochrane, a contemporary of Lord Nelson, tries to blow up La Ciotat using the Royal Navies first prototype boat launched rockets in 1805
There is a little gem in La Ciotat called calanque de Figuerolles. off the beaten track but worth it. I wrote a small piece about it . really worth going there out of peak season. it’s gorgeous! https://maisonsaintjerome.com/2018/04/26/la-ciotat-little-town-holiday-in-provence/
I didn’t knew this beautiful place! Thank you for sharing!