Châteauneuf-Les-Martigues between nature and prehistory

Châteauneuf-les-Martigues offers a range of reasons to plan a visit: prehistoric sites, paths through the hills and a wetland with designated observation points. If you’re looking for a hotel in Châteauneuf-Les-Martigues, you can start by considering which of these themes interests you most. Each place and trail has its own focus.

Wetlands and birdlife

Barlatier-Patafloux combines a pine forest with a marshland area. The site lies between the Étang de Bolmon to the north and agricultural land to the south. Hundreds of bird species live there, including flamingos, egrets and herons. A purpose-built path and two observation points allow visitors to explore the area.

The Étang de Bolmon and surrounding marshlands are designated as a Natura 2000 site. This gives the wetland and its surroundings a distinct natural focus alongside the wooded and agricultural landscapes. This distinction is useful when planning: at Barlatier-Patafloux, the forest, marsh and birdlife shape the landscape, while the Étang de Bolmon also features in the history of local fishing.

Paths through the hills

The Sentier de Découverte follows a route of about 500 m through the hills of Châteauneuf-les-Martigues, from Font-aux-Pigeons to Puits de Barbe. The trail follows the historic connection between the old village and the Puits and includes a stop at the Grotte du Figuier. It also provides the basis for guided or educational walks covering prehistory, geology, farming and pastoral life, Mediterranean flora and geography.

Another route option is section A05 of the GR2013 from Châteauneuf-les-Martigues to Martigues. It is 13.3 km long and starts at the Rond-point de la Glacière bus stop. Cartreize route 34 from Marseille and route 39 from Aix-en-Provence serve the stop; check the timetable when planning your journey. The Sentier de Découverte and GR2013 routes differ considerably in length, offering a practical comparison for planning your hike without implying a walking time.

The Vallon du Saut also brings together nature and history. Its prehistoric sites include the Grotte du Desbaussadou and the Fortin du Saut. The valley’s rock faces are suitable for climbing; its circular trail is also included in the departmental plan for short hiking trails (PDIPR).

Sites and local history

The Abri de la Font-aux-Pigeons was inhabited for more than 5,000 years, from the Mesolithic to the end of the Neolithic. The Sentier de Découverte starts at Font-aux-Pigeons and leads to Puits de Barbe. This connects the prehistoric site with a trail through the hills, while the prehistoric sites in Vallon du Saut form a distinct part of the local heritage.

The Musée des Amis de Castrum Vetus is housed in the Hôtel particulier of the Seytres-Caumont family, the last lords of Châteauneuf-les-Martigues. Individual visitors can explore the museum independently or request a guided tour. General, period-specific and thematic tours are available; there is also a room dedicated to local geology. The type of visit is a useful distinction for planning: guided tours are available on request, and self-guided visits are also possible.

The Chapelle des Marquis de Seytres Caumont dates from the 17th century. A municipal description from September 2021 identifies the Chapelle Sainte-Cécile as the oldest religious building in the municipality. Two other historical dates concern the Trabaques: the lottery system was introduced in 1763 to allocate places for fishing nets on the Étang de Bolmon. A municipal description from September 2021 notes that the tradition continues, even though fishing on the Étang de Bolmon has been prohibited since 2000.

Plan your stay around your interests

When choosing a hotel, you can first decide on the focus of your trip: wetlands and birdlife, paths through the hills, or archaeological and historic sites. You can then plan your outings around the specific route lengths and ways of visiting.

Discover more destinations: Gignac-La-Nerthe, Cornillon-Confoux, Trets, Cuges-Les-Pins, Saint-Victoret, Les-Pennes-Mirabeau, Les Baux-De-Provence, Barbentane.

For the broader travel overview: Bouches Du Rhone.