Berre-L'étang: Heritage, Waterside Paths and Nature

Berre-L'étang brings together several distinct themes to help you plan your trip: historic buildings, paths along the Étang de Berre, beaches, water sports and nature watching. The specific features of the sites and routes can help you narrow down your interests.

Historic buildings and their details

The Chapelle Notre-Dame de Caderot is protected as a historic monument; it was listed by decree on 16 December 1974. Its main phases of construction span the early Middle Ages, the 13th century and the 17th century. The chapel also houses a polychrome wooden altarpiece dating from 1507.

The Église Saint-Césaire has a Romanesque nave with two bays, a square dome with rounded corners and an apse made of Calissanne stone. A bay is a section of a nave; the reference to two bays describes its layout. At the Mur des remparts, fortifications and history are closely connected: a section of a double line of fortifications remains, and a castrum serving as a fortress was built there in the 11th century. Port Albert-Samson is open to the public.

Choose routes by length and character

The “À fleur d’Étang” route starts at Berre-L'étang town hall. It is considered easy, suitable for families and accessible to children; it also features ten points of interest to visit and an orientation board. The Balade du port vers le grand tertre offers a different basis for choosing: it includes two kilometres of paths along the shore of the Étang de Berre, as well as cycle paths along the shore. The first route therefore focuses on difficulty level and points of interest, while the second gives a specific distance and cycling paths.

The Randonnée des Amis passes through the Petite Camargue berroise, along the Étang and on the banks of the Arc through a predominantly agricultural plain. Landscape conditions along this route vary by season.

Beaches, water sports and nature

Plage de Bouquet is an undeveloped beach between the Salins du Midi and the mouth of the Arc. Swimming is possible there, but it is not supervised; check local bathing conditions. Egrets and shelducks can sometimes be spotted on this beach. Stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and Longe-Côte are possible at Plage du Passet; these activities may be seasonal. You can reach Plage du Passet on foot, by car or by bus.

Sailing and rowing take place at Plage de Champigny. It is near the remains of an ancient Roman port. The Salins de Berre are protected as a Natura 2000 site and are home to many bird species typical of the Mediterranean coast. Nature watching, sports and bathing conditions can therefore be considered as different focuses for your stay.

Relax in Parc Maurin

Parc Maurin includes 2.6 hectares of landscaped recreational space in the centre of Berre-L'étang. Its specific features include an equipped children's playground and a botanical garden with Provençal plant species. The park thus complements the routes and waterside activities with an urban recreational space focused on play and plants.

Discover more destinations: Les Milles, Auriol, Saint-Martin-De-Crau, Fontvieille, Châteauneuf-Les-Martigues, Saint-Savournin, Martigues, Cabannes.

For the wider travel guide: Bouches Du Rhone.