Saint-Chamas: History, Nature and Coast

Saint-Chamas combines historic landmarks with a varied natural environment and a purpose-built bathing area. When deciding where to travel, you might therefore start by considering what matters most to you: are you primarily interested in history, different types of landscapes, or swimming and sailing? Local attractions range from a structure dating to the 1st century to caves created from 1615 onward, and also include wetlands and Plage des Cabassons. This way, you can choose your destination not just by a single keyword, but by the character that best suits your stay.

History Through the Ages

Pont Flavien dates to the 1st century, making it an early point of reference. The cave dwellings of Saint-Chamas represent a different period: they include caves created from 1615 onward. Together, these two examples span the period from antiquity to a much later era in the history of settlement. If you are choosing where to stay based on historical interests, these different periods may help you decide—without one replacing the other.

Another historical point of interest is Parc de la Poudrerie. It is located on the site of a former gunpowder factory, and the park also has a small museum about the site's history. Alongside the history of buildings and settlement, the site's former use is another theme to explore. If the museum is important to your plans, check its opening arrangements before you travel.

La Petite Camargue and the Coast

La Petite Camargue is a 100-hectare wetland formed where the Touloubre River meets the Étang de Berre. Its natural habitats include a shell-covered coastal strip, sansouïres, reed beds, wet meadows, riverside woodlands and garrigue. These six habitats each add a different dimension to the same natural area, offering a different focus from Pont Flavien or the cave dwellings.

Saint-Chamas's coast is also surrounded by two protected natural areas classified as Natura 2000 sites. These are two different points of reference when choosing a landscape: La Petite Camargue is a 100-hectare wetland with specified habitats; the other detail concerns two protected areas surrounding the coast.

Swimming and Sailing at Plage des Cabassons

Plage des Cabassons is a purpose-built bathing area open to residents and visitors. It has a supervised swimming area, though supervision may be seasonal. The beach is also home to a municipal sailing school, whose operating arrangements may vary seasonally. Swimming and sailing are further concrete reasons to choose this destination, but unlike the historical periods and natural features described above, they require seasonal planning. If you specifically want to make use of the lifeguard supervision or sailing school, check the arrangements before you travel.

Choose the Focus of Your Stay

Cultural history and nature sit alongside specific opportunities for swimming and sailing, without requiring the same focus for your stay. Then compare specific hotel offers based on your own criteria.

Discover more destinations: Ensuès-La-Redonne, Châteauneuf-Le-Rouge, Cabriès, Saint-Cannat, Eyragues, Plan-De-Cuques, Paluds De Noves, Vitrolles.

View the broader travel overview: Bouches Du Rhone.