Highly acclaimed shipyard founded by famous yacht designer Butch Dalrymple-Smith and Alex Laird, both known for their passion for yachts and pride in beautifully refined work. Focus is on classic- sail or power- yacht restoration, as well as historic/custom replicas. They also work on modern yachts of all sizes and can undertake any kind of refit, supplying a range of skills including woodwork, metalwork, spar-building, rigging, hardware, painting, varnishing and patternmaking.
Bd Lamartine 13006 La Ciotat
Tel: +33(0)4 42 08 73 73
Emergency: +33(0)4 42 08 73 23
The whole region is a great place for road or mountain biking.
La Route des Crêtes: Quiet (especially off season) and steep scenic road of 15km long between La Ciotat and Cassis. A local favorite. Ride your bike directly from the shipyards towards the Vieux Port and then just follow the quiet road along the coast.
Bike District: Great bike shop offering sale, maintenance and repair of all types of bikes. Located 94 Av de la Sarriette.
Tel: +33(0)4 42 01 72 48
Excellent reputation. Works a lot with crew in the shipyard. Flexible and accommodating. Large fleet of vehicles. Contact is Eloise.
Tel: +33(0)4 42 18 21 45
[email protected]
www.europcar-provence.com
Body Gym
12 Bd Michelet 13600 La Ciotat.
Highly popular air conditioned gym located within walking distance from the shipyard. Nice selection of machines and equipment; classes, including abs, body sculpt, body combat, step, stretching and modern jazz. Les Mills method. Certified instructors. Personal trainer can be organized. Accommodating membership cards for transient customers. Locker rooms with showers. Open nonstop from 9am to 8:30pm.
Tel +(33) 442 834 023
Marlene Fitness
Rue Gabriel Péri
83740 La Cadière d’Azur
Located in the heart of the gorgeous hill top village of La Cadière d’Azur. Quaint hotel with rooms scattered througout a cluster of beautifully restored buildings, including a convent dating from the 10th century. 37 rooms with elegant decoration. Includes a gym, an award winning spa and a Michelin starred restaurant.
Tel: +33(0)4 94 90 11 43
www.hotel-berard.com
The long beach located after the Vieux Port is a good spot for kitesurfing and windsurfing especially with S, SE or E wind (some waves) or W, SW wind (flatter water).
A crew favorite. Attention to detail, flexibility and friendliness of managers Geraldine and Delphine. Wide range of cars including utilitarian, delivery available from La Ciotat to Marseille at any pre-scheduled time. Special deals for crew and long term rates.
Tel: +33 (0)442 710 710
Fax: +33 (0)442 710 164
[email protected]
www.rentacar.fr
La Ciotat stretches along almost 20 km of coast line and offers a choice of sandy or pebble beaches as well as narrow creeks. Close to the shipyards are the famous Calanques of Mugel and Figuerolles, each one with a narrow sandy beach. On the other side of town, there is a long sandy beach, lined with hotels, restaurants and bars.
Highly experienced Tony Morello and his team can design, erect, maintain and dismantle shrink-wrap covers on yachts on dry land or afloat. Protections can be customized to any specific situation. Work a lot with the shipyards in Marseille and La Ciotat. Rated as very professional, competent and reasonably priced.
Cell: +33 (0)650 870 739
Fax: + 33 (0)494 307 581
[email protected]
www.coverplastic.com
Every Sun morning on the quaysides of the Vieux Port and a smaller one on Tue morning Place Evariste Gras in the old town. Colourful choice of fresh produce, flowers, fish, cheeses, Provencal specialties, fabrics, clothes and more. Very popular for both for locals and visitors.
Cinema located in the old town and showing some movies in original version.
Tel: +33(0)4 42 71 99 91
Must do: Whether you want to drive or bike, La Route des Crêtes, linking La Ciotat to Cassis is one of the most scenic roads on the coast. It provides a breathtaking panoramic view of the whole region.
(See also Marseille chapter)
The Mugel botanical garden is located within a few minutes walk on the west side from the shipyards. The park shelters 12 acres of greenery and trails that go up through a steep rocky path to the ‘Le Bec D’Aigle’, a massive rock overlooking the town and its surrounding areas. The entrance of the park is located in the magical setting of the Calanque of Mugel, a narrow creek with crystal clear waters. There is a small entry fee and the park closes at night.
The Bay of La Ciotat is home of a Regional Marine Park and has a seabed of exceptional diversity and beauty. The most beautiful dives include Grotte à Gaby, the Balise du Canonnier du sud and the Dorsale des Cononniers with its spectacular submarine cliffs.
La Ciotat stretches along almost 20 km of coast line and offers a choice of sandy or pebble beaches as well as narrow creeks. Close to the shipyards are the famous Calanques of Mugel and Figuerolles, each one with a narrow sandy beach. On the other side of town, there is a long sandy beach, lined with hotels, restaurants and bars.
The long beach located after the Vieux Port is a good spot for kitesurfing and windsurfing especially with S, SE or E wind (some waves) or W, SW wind (flatter water).
Eole Sensations is a kitesurfing and paragliding school based in La Ciotat. Paddle boards rental and aqua gym classes. Rental shack in Port St Jean open May-September. Contact Sébastien available year round on RDV: +33(0)6 33 90 34 76
www.eole-sensations.com
This par 72, 18 hole golf overlooking the sea is considered as one of the most beautiful in Europe. Part of the luxury hotel Dolce Fregate, open to the public, golf clinics. There is also a 9 hole par 29 course for beginners on the same site.
Tel: +33(0)4 94 29 39 39
www.dolcefregate.com/golf
Starter Park
One of the favorite activities for crew spending time in the area! Fantastic park located in a spectacular setting, 15min drive from La Ciotat and spreading on several acres. Outdoor go kart track, ATV trails and high tech laser paint ball with 10 different fields. Very accommodating owner Jean Francois.
Squash club with 5 courts, located towards the highway, in the commercial zone Athelia II. Onsite restaurant and fitness classes. Open 7/7 Mon-Sat 9:30am-10pm; Sun 4pm-8pm.
Tel : +33(0)4 42 71 46 92
www.ciotatsquash.fr
Popular pristine spa offering a wide range of beauty treatments, massages, manicure pedicure, make up, waxing… Turkish baths. Open Mon-Sat 9:30-7 and 8:30 on Fri.
Tel: +33(0)4 42 08 21 39
[email protected]
www.annamaya-spa.com
Marie Pierre Lainé is a well established real estate agent with an excellent local knowledge and a large data base for sales and rentals. She can help for crew accommodation rentals while in La Ciotat.
Cell: +33(0)6 88 95 46 05
[email protected]
British lady Zoe Smith is a great help for crew looking for long or short term rentals around La Ciotat while in the shipyard. Wide choice of high quality apartments and houses. Cell: +33(0)6 33 18 61 82 [email protected]