La Ciotat, Cinema's birthplace, between Beaches and Calanques
La Ciotat is a pretty fishing port with industrial remains from the time when the shipyard employed a large number of inhabitants. It is the last beach of the Bouches du Rhône to the east, before arriving in the Var. It is located between Cassis and Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer / Les Lecques. The city offers now its magnificent beaches and its popular Provençal atmosphere for your summer days and evenings.
The city has recently renovated L'Eden Theatre, the world' oldest cinema, which is now running again with regular film projections. This is the room in which the very first film of the Lumière Brothers was shown. If you come to La Ciotat, a film screening is essential in this 7th art monument room.
With more than 7 km of coastline covered with beaches and calanques, there are many opportunities to swim in La Ciotat and are at least as good as the beaches of the Var. Not far from the port and the Casino, there is a succession of sandy and gravel beaches. Very popular with families, they are located along a magnificent promenade and are also supervised. The city also has many coves that will delight those seeking more tranquility. Here is a small overview of the most famous.
Cyrnos Beach
It is a sandy and gravel beach located very close to the Frères Lumières cinema. It is ideal for families with its first aid station, snacks along the beach and access for people with reduced mobility.
The Great Beach
Located in the heart of La Ciotat, this sandy beach will offer you a wide range of facilities: showers and toilets, a first aid station, a playground for children as well as private beaches and restaurants. For those who love water sports, you can practice windsurfing, kayaking, paddle boarding... An access for disabled people is also available and a paid parking is nearby.
Saint Jean beach
It is a sandy and gravel beach, ideal for lovers of water sports: windsurfing, kayaking, paddle board... You will be amazed by all these choices! And for those who would be interested in boat rental but don't have their license, why not take advantage of this idyllic setting to do a boat license internship? You can eat in the snacks and restaurants nearby. Free parking is available.
The Lumière beach
This sandy beach is labelled "Tourism and disability" because of its access ramps for people with reduced mobility, Handiplage staff and swimming chairs adapted for people with disabilities.
The Calanque du Mugel beach
This little corner of paradise is made up of two pebble beaches that will be the perfect setting for all water sports: paddle board, kayak, snorkeling... And between two swims, you can discover the natural park that surrounds the cove. The little extra of this beach and that in mistral weather it is protected by the Eagle's Beak. In addition, you will find food nearby.
Les Capucins beach
This is the beach next to the Capuchin port. Its children's playground, first aid station, showers and public toilets make it an ideal beach for families who come to enjoy the joys of the sea with children. It is also easily accessible for people with disabilities and offers many restaurants and snacks nearby. In addition, part of the beach, located towards the dike, is accessible to dogs on a lead.
The Figuerolles Calanque
This small pebble cove surrounded by cliffs is located to the west of the city. To get there, you will need to take a 90-step staircase. Free parking gives you access to the stairs and a restaurant on the beach will allow you to have lunch or dinner facing a breathtaking view. However, remember to book it because it is very popular. And of course, diving enthusiasts will appreciate the richness of the local fauna and flora.
In addition to all the beaches, you can also visit during your holidays in the South, the no less famous Île Verte, which happens to be the last wooded island of the Bouches du Rhône department and which is worth the trip.
