Bonjour! Welcome to La Ciotat, a charming coastal town in southern France tucked between Marseille and Cassis. Often overlooked in favor of its more famous neighbors, La Ciotat surprises with dramatic rugged cliffs, beautiful beaches, a lively port, and a relaxed Mediterranean vibe. This gem is also where cinema was born and where petanque was invented! It’s a place where Provençal charm meets Riviera scenery, without the crowds. Ready to discover why it deserves a spot on your bucket list? Let’s explore things to do in La Ciotat, France.
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La Ciotat, France FAQ
La Ciotat is a coastal town located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region in the Bouches-du-Rhone department in the south of France. It’s just a short drive from popular nearby destinations like Marseille, Cassis, Toulon, and the famous Calanques National Park.
La Ciotat is definitely worth visiting, especially if you’re looking for beautiful coastal scenery and a more relaxed atmosphere compared to busier French Riviera hotspots. Thanks to its dramatic calanques, beautiful beaches, and the fascinating connection to cinema and petanque, La Ciotat offers something special for every type of traveler.
La Ciotat is best known as the birthplace of cinema and petanque. It was exactly here where the Lumière Brothers filmed one of the world’s first movies in 1895, where the oldest operating cinema in the world opened in 1889, and where Jules Lenoir modified the traditional boules game and invented petanque in 1908.
One day is enough to see the main highlights of La Ciotat, including exploring the port and the old town, as well as hiking to the Calanque de Figuerolles. However, to fully appreciate the town’s charm and enjoy it at a more relaxed pace, we recommend staying for at least 2 days. This will also give you time to visit Île Verte, relax on the beaches, and enjoy scenic drive along the Route des Crêtes.
Things to do in La Ciotat, France
La Ciotat Old Port
The Old Port is the lively heart of La Ciotat and the perfect place to start your sightseeing. Unlike the mega yacht-filled harbors found in many French Riviera cities, La Ciotat’s port has a wonderfully authentic and welcoming atmosphere. Here you’ll see traditional fishing boats called “pointus” bobbing alongside modern vessels, all beneath the imposing Notre-Dame de l’Assomption church.
On the southwest side of the port, don’t miss the grand Renaissance-style villa topped with a small campanile. This is a former Town Hall now housing the Musée Ciotaden, a fascinating place where you can dive into La Ciotat’s history with exhibits dedicated to maritime life, the shipyards, petanque, and cinema! Right next to the museum, you’ll also find the #ILoveLaCiotat sign, a popular spot for taking picturesque photos by the harbor.
Be sure to walk around the port and admire it from every possible angle – new photogenic views appear at every turn! There, you’ll also find rows of cafes and restaurants lining the waterfront, ideal for enjoying a coffee or a leisurely meal with a view. Strolling around the Old Port is without a doubt one of the most enjoyable things to do in La Ciotat.
La Ciotat Tourist Office is located on Boulevard Anatole, right next to the Musée Ciotaden. It’s a great place to grab a map and get useful sightseeing information.
La Ciotat Old Town Streets
Just above the old port, you’ll discover La Ciotat’s charming old town. Wander its narrow streets and you’ll discover ancient houses with colourful shutters, cozy squares like Place Sadi Carnot, and hidden passageways. The old town is also home to several chapels worth visiting, including the Chapelle des Pénitents Bleus and the Chapelle Sainte-Anne. And of course don’t miss the Notre Dame de l’Assomption church overlooking the old port.
Here, you’ll find a few cozy cafés, art galleries, inviting restaurants and small shops selling regional specialties. While the old town area is small, exploring it is still one of the best things to do in La Ciotat, offering a glimpse of local life.
Calanque de Figuerolles
Without a doubt, visiting Calanque de Figuerolles is one of the top things to do in La Ciotat. This breathtaking calanque is located just 15-minutes walk from the Old Port, making it incredibly accessible for such a spectacular natural site. Calanque de Figuerolles is famous for its striking contrast between the reddish-ochre rock formations and the turquoise waters. The landscape here is absolutely stunning!
The calanque features a small pebble beach that’s perfect for swimming and snorkeling. You can also enjoy kayaking, paddleboarding, diving, or even rock climbing here. The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon when the light is ideal for photography and the crowds are smaller. In summer, the calanque can get quite busy, so arriving early is highly recommended.
Parc du Mugel
Just next to Calanque de Figuerolles, you’ll find Parc du Mugel, a lush botanical garden set against dramatic rocky cliffs with stunning sea views. Thanks to the area’s exceptional microclimate, the park is home to a rich variety of Mediterranean flora, including palm trees, cacti, bamboos, and exotic plants. The park offers peaceful walking trails that wind through the greenery and lead to viewpoints with spectacular views over the coastline and Ile Verte.
Parc du Mugel is perfect for a relaxing stroll, a picnic, or simply enjoying nature in a beautiful setting. From the park, you can also access the small Calanque du Grand Mugel, another lovely spot along the coast. The park is free to visit all year-round during its opening hours. We loved the area, and exploring Parc du Mugel quickly became one of our favorite things to do in La Ciotat.
La Ciotat Beaches
Although less famous than the iconic Cote d’Azur beaches, La Ciotat still offers several beautiful spots for sunbathing and swimming. With over 7 kilometers of coastline, the town offers a nice variety of beaches for every preference. Whether you want sandy shores perfect for families, secluded pebble coves, or dramatic calanque beaches, you’ll find your ideal spot here. No matter which beach you choose, spending time by the sea is easily one of the best things to do in La Ciotat.
La Ciotat main and most popular beaches are Grande Plage, Plage Lumière and Plage des Capucins, all located next to each other. These are sandy and family-friendly beaches located close to the Old Port and the Old Town, with lifeguards on duty during the summer months and plenty of amenities nearby. And of course there are already mentioned Calanque de Figuerolles and Calanque du Grand Mugel.
La Ciotat is also perfect for water sports enthusiasts! You can enjoy activities such as diving, snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing and boat tours. There are several companies in town that offer equipment rentals and guided tours.
Waterfront Promenade
Running behind La Ciotat’s main beaches, the waterfront promenade is a lovely place for a seaside stroll. Lined with palm trees, cafés, and benches facing the Mediterranean, it offers beautiful views over the beaches, the open sea, and even the port. On windy days, you can also spot dozens of surfers trying their best to catch the waves – super fun to watch! Walking along the promenade is a simple yet very enjoyable thing to do in La Ciotat, perfect for soaking up the town’s laid-back seaside charm.
Eden Theatre
Cinema lovers, this one’s for you! The Eden Theatre, located right above the waterfront promenade, in La Ciotat is officially the oldest operating cinema in the world. This legendary venue first opened its doors in June 1889, and in March 1899 it hosted the first paying public cinema screening in history, showing films from the Lumière Brothers’ catalogue! The theatre closed in 1995 for safety reasons but was beautifully restored and reopened in 2013. Today, it’s listed as a historic monument and regularly hosts film screenings, cinema festivals, and cultural events.
Interesting fact. During the summer of 1895, Louis Lumière shot several of the very first movies ever made right here in La Ciotat, including the iconic “L’Arrivée d’un train en gare de La Ciotat” (Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat Station).
Ile Verte
Ile Verte is one of La Ciotat’s most special natural treasures. Located just about 420 metres from the shore, this small pine-covered island is the only wooded island in the Calanques National Park. Île Verte offers an easy one-hour hiking trail that circles the entire island. Along the way, you’ll discover small beaches, remnants of historic fortifications, and information panels about the local flora and fauna, all while offering breathtaking views.
You can reach Île Verte by ferry from the Old Port. The trip takes only about 15 minutes and operates between April and October. As of early 2026, round-trip tickets cost €14 for adults and €9 for children under 10. For current information, visit the laciotat-ileverte.com website.
Game of Petanque
La Ciotat also holds a special place in French culture as the birthplace of pétanque. It was here, in 1908, that Jules Lenoir adapted the traditional game of boules so it could be played without running and with both feet firmly planted on the ground. Just like that, he created pétanque as we know it today! Watching a game, or even joining in, is a fun thing to do in La Ciotat, offering a nice glimpse into everyday Provençal life.
Route des Crêtes
One of the most unforgettable things to do in La Ciotat is to drive along the 15-kilometre-long Route des Crètes. Connecting Cassis with La Ciotat, this road is one of the most beautiful in southern France! It will take you high above the coastline with spectacular viewpoints along the way. In our opinion, it’s even more breathtaking than the Calanques!
Along Route des Crêtes, you’ll also discover Cap Canaille, Europe’s highest sea cliff, rising to 394 metres. From the top, the panoramic views are absolutely stunning — the entire Bay of Cassis, the Calanques, and the sparkling Mediterranean stretch as far as the eye can see. There are several parking areas along the route where you can stop, take photos, and just admire the incredible panoramas. This drive is not to be missed!
Explore local attractions
How to get to La Ciotat, France?
La Ciotat is located about 15km from Cassis, 35km from Marseille, 30km from Sanary-sur-Mer, 40km from Toulon, and 55km from Aix-en-Provence. The most convenient way to get to La Ciotat is by bus or by car.
Airports near La Ciotat
The closest airports to La Ciotat are located in Marseille (55km away) and Toulon/Hyères (65km away). From airports, you can get to the town by public transport or taxi. You can check connections that might interest you on rome2rio.com website. At each airport, you can also rent a car for a faster and more comfortable journey.
Where to park in La Ciotat?
In La Ciotat we recommend leaving a car in one of the city’s paid parking lots. You can choose for example Parking du Port de Plaisance or Parking Indigo La Ciotat Vieux Port. Both of them are located just a few steps from the port and the old town.
To La Ciotat by bus
You can quite easily get to La Ciotat by bus, especially from nearby towns. For example, the trip from Marseille will take around 45 minutes, 20 minutes from Cassis, and 3.5 hours from Aix en Provence. To learn more about bus connections that might interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
To La Ciotat by train
You can also get by train to La Ciotat from many nearby places like Marseille, Toulon, Hyeres, Saint Raphael, or Montpellier. To learn more about train connections that interest you visit sncf-connect.com or rome2rio.com website.
But remember that La Ciotat train station (La Ciotat-Ceyreste) is located about 6 kilometres from the town’s centre. From there, you can catch a bus or take a taxi to reach the centre.
Camping La Ciotat
If you’re traveling by camper, places like Camping Sage or Camping Santa Gusta might interest you. They are located close to La Ciotat.
Things to do in La Ciotat, France – Summing up
La Ciotat may not be as famous as some other Cote d’Azur destinations, but that’s exactly what makes it special. With its stunning coastline, charming Old Port, relaxed atmosphere, and authentic local feel, it’s a place that invites you to slow down and enjoy the Mediterranean way of life. Whether you’re visiting for a day or staying longer, La Ciotat offers plenty to explore and enjoy. It’s one of those destinations that quietly impresses and often becomes a favorite! Enjoy your trip & bon voyage!
Our opinion about La Ciotat
For us, a visit to La Ciotat was a day trip from nearby Bandol where we lived for a few weeks. We visited in early November, and during that time the town was peaceful, with only a handful of other tourists around. But thanks to the windy weather, we also came across dozens of surfers and other water sports enthusiasts catching waves along the coast – such a fun and unexpected sight! Exploring everything we wanted at a relaxed pace took us around 6 hours.
What impressed us most was the area’s natural beauty. We enjoyed spending time at Calanque de Figuerolles. Strolling around the picturesque port and waterfront promenade was a highlight as well. And Route des Crêtes completely stole our hearts – the views along the road are absolutely wonderful.
For us, La Ciotat is a place that’s hard to complain about, and it quickly became one of our favorite discoveries on the Côte d’Azur. We’d love to come back one day and stay longer! And watching a movie at Eden Theatre, the world’s oldest operating cinema, is definitely a dream we hope to tick off one day!
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in La Ciotat?
Here are your best, high-rated options in La Ciotat:
