Martigues

Martigues is a commune in southern France, located in the Bouches-du-Rhône department in the Provence-Alpes-Cavoie region. It lies on the Côte Bleue, at the western edge of the Étang de Berre, facing the Mediterranean Sea and about 30 kilometers northwest of Marseille. The town forms part of the coastal and metropolitan area surrounding Marseille and is a center for fishing, maritime activity, and tourism in the region.

The urban core of Martigues is notable for a network of canals that connect the harbor to the old town. The canals and bridges give the city its characteristic appearance and have earned it the popular nickname Venice of Provence. The waterfront and historic quarter are built around these waterways, with colorful houses and terraced streets lining the canals.

Historically, Martigues grew as a fishing and small-scale port town. Over the centuries, the area benefited from land reclamation around the Étang de Berre, which supported agriculture, industry, and improved access to the sea. In modern times the town maintains a working harbor and a marina, with a local economy based on maritime services, commerce, and tourism, alongside regional industries.

Demographically, the commune has a population in the tens of thousands. It offers coastal amenities, markets, and cultural events that draw visitors from nearby areas. Martigues remains a local economic and cultural hub in the western part of the Marseille metropolitan area, balancing traditional maritime heritage with contemporary services and tourism.