Carry-le-Rouet is a popular sea resort on the Mediterranean coast between Marseille and Martigues - its proximity to Marseille makes it a popular day trip destination for residents of the city, and many people from Marseille have second homes here.
The town is centred around its picturesque fishing and large leisure port and surrounded by large areas of woodland on the hills behind, much of it now a protected natural reserve.
Explore Carry-le-Rouet
Because of its location it isn't one of the most visited destinations on the Cote d'Azur, but Carry-le-Rouet has a choice of nice beaches including the main sandy beach called the Plage du Rouet, the smaller Plage du Cap Rousset and the pebble beach at calanque de la Tuilière, just outside the town centre.
Other small beaches such as Les Eaux Salées and Fernandel can also be found, along with others if you follow the coast path west from the town centre. The coast here is also attractive with low rocky cliffs.
France This Way review: rather like Arcachon on the Atlantic coast, we found that most visitors to the beaches at Carry-le-Rouet were French rather than international visitors. The two main beaches are very popular and rather crowded in summer!
Be sure to follow the path around the eastern end of the main Rouet beach to discover the attractive stone-arched viaduct, completed around 100 years ago to carry trains on the Miramas - Estaque line.
You can see the Chapel of Rouet, built in the late 19th century on the site of an earlier (now destroyed) chapel dating back to the 14th century, while you are here. The chapel is best known for its views from its dominant position above Marseille harbour.
Attractions nearby
Walks along the coast are very popular in both directions, with very attractive rocky coastline and small inlets to explore near the town. The coastal waters fall within the attractively named Blue Coast Marine Park Parc (Parc Marin de la Côte Bleue), and the diversity of wildlife in the clear waters make the waters popular with the scuba diving community.
Marseille is only a short train ride from the station at Carry-le-Rouet.
Note: photo is copyright
See more seaside resorts in France. You can find more travel ideas in the Bouches-du-Rhone guide and the Provence guide.
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Hotels in Carry-le-Rouet
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Map of Carry-le-Rouet and places nearby
Visit near Carry-le-Rouet with France This Way reviews
Martigues
The harbour area and quaint fishermen cottages is the principal attraction in the large town of Martigues
Martigues guide
Marseille
Marseille is perhaps not a tourist town but is one of the most vibrant and exciting port towns in France
Marseille guide
Calanques at Marseille
The white cliffs of the Calanques de Marseille plunging into the deep blue sea make it one of our favourite coastlines in France
Calanques at Marseille guide
Aix-en-Provence
The vibrant town of Aix-en-Provence is a traditional Provence town, with many museums and sites of interest, and a very leasant town to visit
Aix-en-Provence guide
Cassis
The harbour area of Cassis, its beach and proximity to the Calanques de Marseille all help ensure the popularity of Cassis
Cassis guide
Aubagne
The small market town of Aubagne is best known for its association with Marcel Pagnol, the famous French author
Aubagne guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Bouches-du-Rhone
Address: Carry-le-Rouet, Châteauneuf-Côte-Bleue, Istres, Provence, 13620, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 43.333056, longitude 5.152778
Plan your visit to Carry-le-Rouet, Bouches-du-Rhone
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Martigues: ville fleurie 4* (11 km)
- Chateau d'If: national monument (19 km)
- Marseille: town of art and history (19 km)
- Parc Longchamp: remarkable garden (20 km)
- Jardin de la Magalone: remarkable garden (20 km)
- Parc Borély: remarkable garden (20 km)
- Parc du 26e Centenaire: remarkable garden (20 km)
- Istres: ville fleurie 4* (24 km)
- Jardin d'Albertas: remarkable garden (25 km)
- Calanque: site of natural beauty (26 km)
- Jardin d'Eguilles: remarkable garden (31 km)
- Aix-en-Provence: secteur sauvegarde (32 km)
Market days in Carry-le-Rouet, France
Regular market(s) are held in Carry-le-Rouet each Tuesday & Friday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Carry-le-Rouet (Francais)