Located on the east side of Toulon, the Mourillon sandy beaches are a favourite year-round haunt for locals and visitors. They are lined with waterside bars and restaurants.
Plage des Sablettes is a popular and beautiful sandy beach ideal for swimming or chilling out. It is located in La Seyne-sur-Mer, facing the open sea and very close to IMS shipyard in St Mandrier. Several restaurants and bars are surrounding the beach.
Le Pin Rolland 83430 St Mandrier
Ideally located across the street from IMS shipyard. 4 outdoor lit up courts. Closed on Mon.
Tel: +33(0)4 94 30 54 48
Toulon region is the ideal departure point for a large choice of excursions to discover Provence’s beautiful scenery and a multitude of ancient, typically-Provencal villages.
Very well supplied grocery store located on the harbour. Choice of fruit, vegetable, groceries, fresh products, bread, epicerie fine, wine, liquors etc… Specialise in yacht provisioning, can get anything upon request. Delivery everywhere on the island.
Tel: +33(0)4 95 73 19 38
Cell: +33(0)6 88 22 94 70
[email protected]
www.lucette-bonifacio.fr
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.
Place des Lices hosts every Tue and Sat from 7am-1pm, one of the largest and most popular Marché in the whole region, with a great and colourful selection of local produce, cheeses, Provencal delights, clothes, fabrics and more.
Place aux Herbes: Delightful and convivial market for fruits, cut flowers, vegetables and regional produce held every morning at the entrance of the old town.
Don’t miss the very colourful fish market held every morning at the quaint Place aux Herbes, next to the harbour.
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]
Courteous English and Italian spoken taxi with a 7 seats van.
[email protected]
Chauffered car company based in La Ciotat, run by young and super friendly Thierry. Fleet including Mercedes class E and Viano van seating 7 pax. Happy to share his local knowledge. Transportation of part and goods along the Riviera. Available everywhere on the coast upon reservation. Help with grocery shopping. Good rates, rated as honest and reliable. English spoken. 24/7 on request. Fantastic service. Tel: +33(0)6 50 15 61 56 [email protected] www.taxi13-laciotat.com
Large and well supplied all organic store, located a few min from the old town. Fresh produce, refrigerated items, fresh bread, dry goods, cosmetics, supplements etc...Good choice of gluten free and vegan products, including some prepared salads to go. Open nonstop Mon-Sat from 9am-7pm, Sun 9am-noon. Delivery.
Tel : +33(0)9 53 43 10 71
Popular epicerie fine located towards St Jean. Good selection of cheese, charcuterie, local products and wine, truffles, teas etc… Special orders welcome. Also a tearoom with possibility of having a light fare.
Tel:+33(0)4 42 83 91 44
Labor Union for Seafarers, Member of ITF (international transport federation for seafarer’s), with a Professional Yachting Department. Can assist French or foreign crew from any flagged yachts, bringing them support and counseling during any type of conflict. Can delegate a conciliator representative of the ITF (international transport federation of seafarer’s) and help to find a lawyer. Vast knowledge of national and international regulations as well as maritime labour rights in French territory waters. Yachting department contact is Corine Archambaud (known as Coco).