La Ciotat (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur ) Travel Guide

The beautiful view of old the port in La Ciotat ( south of France) where boats are parked in front of colourful buildings on the port of Ciotat in France. Follow the complete guide to doing and visiting the best things in La Ciotat, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, South of France by Travelling Hopper - traveling guides to the world's most beautiful travel destinations.

La Ciotat — Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, France

Are you looking for a beautiful, serene place far away from the city’s bustling toxic life? Well, you’re in luck. La Ciotat is a small but beautiful town that gives you the perfect place to be in when you need time off. It’s a small seaside town near Marseille in the south of France. Barely known to the outside world, this place has beautiful beaches, hiking trails, etc.

 

 

La Ciotat is the birthplace of the famous french game “pétanque”. In 1910, the first official pétanque competition was held at La Ciotat. — Rhone-Alpes-Petanque

 

 

Later when Parisians traveled for summer vacation in the region of Côte d’Azur they started showing interest in learning, playing Petanque .

 

La Ciotat is 35 kilometers from Marseille and 12 kilometers from Cassis, with a 7-kilometer coastline of beautiful beaches and clif with the charming and amazing sea views. — La Ciotat Office de Tourisme

 

La Ciotat is also the birthplace of the world-first cinema, called Eden Theatre, which was opened in La Ciotat where Lumiere brothers screened their first 50-second, black-and-white silent movie film called L’arrivée d’un train en gare de La Ciotat or Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat” in English.

 

The Best Places to Visit in La Ciotat, France

You will need a guide as to where you should spend your time. You can wander around the place thoughtless, so to ease your travels, we’ve outlined a few of the best places you can visit in La Ciotat because it is the best vocational place among the French people.

 

La Ciotat has the highest sea cliffs of Europe, with its highest point: Cap Canaille (394m) — Calanques13

 

 

Calanque de Figuerolles

A beautiful serene beach; which is absolutely something worth living for. This beach is a quiet beauty that is like a passageway to heaven. A beautiful shore that is covered on both sides with steep slopes. These aren’t exactly huge mountains but smaller hills which give a beautiful sight to admire. A lazy day at the beach with the kids has never been better.

Bec de l’aigle (“beak of the eagle”) is a very famous rock due to its eagle shape which is made of a specific stone named “Poudingue”.

 

 

Old Port of La Ciotat

It sounds like a boring place, but Old Port is anything but that. The place is a famous port all over Europe for having the most significant yacht maintenance and having massive yacht elevators. The port has multiple restaurants where you can enjoy delicious food, but enjoying a glass of champagne while watching the port get busy and people hustle has its satisfaction.

 

At the entrance of the old port of Ciotat, a Museum with a XIXth century clock tower has a lot to tell you about the city’s history.

 

 

Calanque Saint-Pierre

This place is near the Île Verte. The Calanque Saint-Pierre is a beautiful restaurant that is followed through with a gorgeous beach. There is a landing dock where all the ferries and boats come to the park. The visitors can enjoy a spectacular beach view of absolutely crystal clear water. The atmosphere of the entire place is breathtaking and deserves all the appreciation it can get.

 

In 1907 , French painter, Georges Braque spent a summer working in La Ciotat and painted a famous painting called Landscape at La Ciotat using heavy outlines, which is displayed at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

 

 

Parc du Mugel

A spectacular walking park with no entrance fee. The place has a beautiful contrast of the green on the trees and the sandy beige color of the surroundings. Even though this may seem like an odd combination, the whole scenery falls in place when a beautiful pebbled beach is added. Yes, a park with a beach that has pebbles. The site is very majestic in a sense and is surely something you’d want to pack your swimsuit for.

 

Parc du Mugel is a botanical garden and was a private property until 1982. About 17 hectares in size parc du mugel is listed in The Remarkable Gardens of France.

 

 

Plage Lumière La Ciotat

This is a beautiful beach that lays vast on its land. A lovely place to relax and enjoy the public essence of what La Ciotat is. The beach does not allow the people there to smoke, and it keeps the air fresh and very breathable. The entire situation of the place is worthy of praise. The water on the beach is also without any doubt clear.

 

Lumière beach is a sandy family beach located on the east of Ciotat city center and is among one of the 4 large family beaches of La Ciotat Seaside resort.

 

Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Garde

A Church with a great history. Build back in 1610; this church had significance for the sailors which traveled into the sea. These sailors were known to pray at the Church before leaving for their journeys. A sense of history can be felt in his Church. A must-visit for sure.

 

 

Le Musée Ciotaden, La Ciotat

A tiny yet intricate museum which has on display 1500 objects in the 15 rooms the place has. This was also the former town-hall but has now been converted into the town museum. Not only does it has artifacts from the 1800s but also ancient artifacts from early mariners.

 

 

Église Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption

A beautiful church that has the potential to be called magnificent. There are walnut wood carving placed inside of the church to exhaust its beauty. The church also has a huge marble altar, which has significance associated with the best marble sculptors from the 1700s.

  

Chapelle des Pénitents Bleus

A chapel which brought peace during the wars of religion back in 1626. This place has been deemed to be the gorgeous building of its time. The locals appreciate the interior and every fine line which touches this building. It’s so aesthetic that in today’s days, this place serves as an art gallery for aspiring artists to display their artwork for further appreciation and to add to the beauty of the Chapel.

 

 

L’Eden Théâtre La Ciotat

If you’re feeling peculiar about watching a movie in a historical theatre well, you’ve found a place. This theatre is the oldest operating theater, which dates back to 1895. The first movie, displayed here, was known to send the viewers running out of the halls in terror. The theatre itself is not a huge one for facts; it’s a small hall that displays a screen. To enjoy the environment of this place, you’re allowed to go in and enjoy a classic movie.

 

In 1899, Auguste and Louis (Lumière brothers) were born in Besançon, France, screened the very first moving picture of a train arriving at the local station. — Frane 24

 

Marché Nocturne La Ciotat

A beautiful market that has everything you would want. It does have a specific operating time, and you can get a range of traditional foods and produce on Sundays. This place is the best one to go for when you need to buy gifts or souvenirs.

 

 

Paddleboarding in Calanque de Figuerolles

These ventures take place on the beaches of Calanque de Figuerolles. These paddleboards are easy to handle, and even kids can enjoy their time with adult supervision and go around the place scouting for spots where you’d feel peace and see what you want. You can also go along with instructors who take you around to see the place with the experience on hand, making it particularly safer.

 

Calanques Boat Trips

These boat trips sweep you off your feet and get you going around the place where you’d love to be present. In the midst of beautiful water and absolutely stunning views, you need to be present at the moment to believe what the place has to offer. These boat trips let you capture the essence of what true beauty feels like.

 

 

Cap Canaille La Ciotat

This may not seem as much, but if you look off into the scenery, this cliff has to offer, you will stand there in awe of the beauty it upholds. The scenery is something which makes you drive 400meters up a horrendous road to reach this point. But every bump and crack is definitely worth it. It also has the highest maritime cliffs in Europe and has high significance for the people as well as tourists.

 

 

Cassis

You can also travel further into another town, Cassis a fishing port with beautiful beaches and multiple pebble beaches. This is another beautiful town with delicious food and cuisine for any tourist to enjoy. You can also enjoy delicious wine from the multiple vineyards which are found in the place.

 

Travelling can be a lot more fun if you have a guide for it. When you are traveling to La Ciotat, the above list of activities will make your vacation even more fun and joyful. So, what are you waiting for!

Tarragona Travel Guide

Tarragona

One hour’s drive from Barcelona by car or train and 10 kilometers from Reus Airport Tarragona is a beautiful city located in northeast Spain. In the past, Tarragona was the capital of the Roman Empire and now the part of an autonomous community Catalonia. This is one of the most important parts of a country in terms of tourism. Tarragona is the most famous tourist destination due to its beautiful sandy beaches. 

Here’re the best places to visit in Tarragona Spain 

If you're traveling to Spain then visiting Tarragona will be the best idea because it is a lovely city with a beautiful coastline, interesting ancient monuments and historical places to discover. Below are the famous tourist attractions to visit in Tarragona.

Cathedral of Tarragona ( Catedral de Tarragona)

The Cathedral of Tarragona is a Roman Catholic church in Tarragona and situated at the highest point of the city. This Roman Catholic church construction began in the 12th century and known as one of the oldest in Spain.

 

In 1905, the Cathedral of Tarragona was declared a national monument. It's architectural style is Romanesque and Gothic.

Roman Amphitheatre Tarragona

The Tarragona amphitheater was build in the 2nd century A.D. It was the arena of gladiatorial games, wild animal battles, and public executions.

Roman Amphitheatre was built outside of the Roman city Tarraco boundaries and held more than 15000 spectators.

Roman Circus Tarragona (Circ Roma)

Roman Circus of Tarragona was constructed in the 1st century. It was a place of horse and chariot racing track. The size of the circus was 325 meters by 115 meters could receive about 30,000 spectators.

Circ Roman was inside the old Roman City Tarraco boundaries and today it is considered as the best-preserved circus in the west 

National Archaeological Museum of Tarragona

The National Archaeological Museum contains an extensive collection of antique Roman history where visitors can discover mosaics, sculptures, architecture, amphorae, clothing, etc.

 

Founded in the 9th century,  visitors can actually see the remaining of the original ancient Roman wall in the basement of the National Archaeological Museum Tarragona.

Playa del Miracle Tarragona (Miracle Beach)

The Miracle is in nearness to the historic center of Tarragona. It is 500 meters of fine golden sand that exists for exceptional relaxation for citizens and tourists.

The closest beach in the city center, having 1.1 Kilometer distance, the playa del miracle starts from marina and goes into the top of Grossa.

 

Port of Tarragona ( Port de Tarragona)

Port of Tarragona survived the many eras and transformations. The ports saw multiple governors and various peoples who have decided to settle here. All thanks to its prime location.

The port of Tarragona is one of the largest seaports in Spain and today it is serving as one of the most important maritime centers of Spain. The port is playing a key role in Spain's economy.

Concurs de Castells (Human Tower Competition)

The Castells are an old impressive tradition in Catalonia, mainly in Tarragona. The human towers consisting of 6 to 9 floors, sometimes a 10th floor. It is an indicator of the coordinated work of team, strength, and courage for each participant. The strongest persons build the foundation of human tower and a child will be at the top of the tower for completeing the tower.

The first Concurs de Castells contest was held in 1902 in Barcelona. It is the most important cultural tradition of Catalonia which requires force, equilibria, valor i sent ( strength, balance, courage and common sense) 

 

The Mediterranean Balcony

Rising 40 meters above the sea level, the balcony of the Mediterranean offers a beautiful view of the Mediterranean and Playa del Miracle, Port of Tarragona, and the Roman amphitheater.

Mediterranean Balcony of Tarragona is the most loved place in the city and a best place for a beautiful photoshoot, walking and enjoying the stunning view of the Mediterranean sea.

Les Ferreres Aqueduct (Pont del Diable)

The Ferreres Aqueduct is listed in UNESCO's world heritage site since 2000. It is part of the Roman aqueduct also called Pont del diable, and was used for water supply to the old Roman city. The water was taken from Francoli River which is 15KM in the north of Tarragona.

 

Les Ferreres Aqueduct (In English: Devil Bridge) was built during Roman times for water supply to the old Roman city of Tarraco which is called Tarragona today.

 

Roman Wall of Tarragona

The Roman Wall of Tarragona is a part of Roman history and reminder of Roman city Tarraco. Wall was built in the 2nd century BC as a simple wooden palisade. Eventually turned into protective structures 6 meters in height and 4.5 meters in thickness. Currently, one of the original doors and 1,100 m of the wall are preserved.

Roman Wall of Tarragona is s one of the oldest Roman construction which is conserved outside of Itlay.

Brittany Travel Guide

Are you planning on a trip to Brittany this year? If your answer is yes, keep on reading to find out everything about this beautiful region in France!

Brittany is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world as it offers everyone something to do, regardless of age.The endless, white coastline of Brittany spreads over 700 miles to reward you with breathtaking ocean views. Therefore, the trip you plan for Brittany will never be boring with all those beaches, historic cities, tiny fishing villages, medieval castles, and lush mountain scenery.

The Departments, Cities, and Towns in Brittany

It is essential to know the departments and cities before getting on with the places to visit on your trip to Brittany.

At present, Brittany is divided into four departments; Côtes d’Armor (22) in the north, Morbihan (56) in the south, Finistère (29) in the west and Ille et Vilaine (35) in the east. There are nine main cities as well; Brest, Lorient, Quiberon, Quimper, Rennes, Saint-Brieuc, Saint-Malo, Vannes and Vitré.

But Brittany was a part of the Duchy of Brittany, and now it is a separate region with Rennes as its capital. At the same time, the rest of it is the historic archenemy, the department of Loire Atlantique. It is the only wine-growing region in Brittany with Nantes as the capital and a seaport known as Saint Nazaire.

The Must-See Places to Visit in Brittany, France

Traveling to Brittany in France and planning a trip to visit the best cities but don't know what to visit; here are the beautiful and the most famous tourist cities destinations to explore in Brittany France.

 

Brest 

Brest, being a French naval base, was destroyed in WWII, but nothing could stop the rise of this historical city into what you see now. Visit the Conservatoire Botanique National de Brest to see more than 1500 species of plants and the National Navy Museum of Brest to see a huge collection of ships and equipment used by the navy. Océanopolis is a must-visit as it is the coolest aquarium in the world with three marine worlds; tropical, polar, and temperate. There are over 50 sub aquariums located inside it to provide a home to 1000 animal species like penguins,seals and jellyfish!

Saint Brieuc

Saint Brieuc is not much of a city to grab your attention. Still, you can visit the 13th-century solid granite made Saint Brieuc Cathedral. Place du Martray’s half-timbered stone houses, Les Chaos du Gouët (a 10-kilometer trail in a dense wet forest), and the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire to discover the culture of Brittany.

Quimper

You can also visit the 13th-century Gothic-style Quimper Cathedral and the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Quimper which accommodates the biggest collection of artwork in Western France (over 3000 pieces) by Jean-Marie de Silgu. Don’t forget to enjoy the most vibrant cultural festival in Brittany, Festival de Cornouaille if you visit Quimper in July.

Carnac

Carnac is famous for the Carnac stones. A collection of megalithic sites in Brittany contains 10000 standing stones, the most extensive such collection in the world dating back to the Neolithic period.

Locronan

This cobble paved village is the prettiest village in Brittany, and the houses are built in solid granite with slate roofs to take you back in time as far as the 15th century. Take a quick visit to the Place de l’Eglise (the town square), 13th century Church of Saint Ronan, and soak in the beautiful views of the countryside at Rue Saint Maurice.

Concarneau

Much is not expected in Ville de Concarneau as it is a fishing harbor, but you can visit the old town ‘Ville Close’ and walk along the city’s ramparts. You can also explore the castle ‘Chateau de Keriolet’ and head to one of the beaches Plage des Dames or Plage des Sables Blancs in the evening.

Lorient

The historic fishing port of Lorient thrives in Brittany. It offers many things for its visitors to see; Lorient Bay (great spot to see colorful yachts), 18th century Maison de l’Imprimeur, the German Submarine Base, Church of Notre-Dame-de-Victoire, etc. And if you are willing to go a little outside Lorient, you can explore the Ile de Groix (island) and spend the evening at Larmor Plage Beach.

Vannes

Vannes is another medieval yet an urbanized town in Brittany with half-timbered houses and a fishing harbor. Take a quick look at Porte St-Vincent Ferrier (the main gate), “Mr and Mrs Vannes” in Place Valencia, Château Gaillard, La Cohue Museum of Fine Arts and jump in a boat to Gulf of Morbihan from Parc du Golfe. Don’t forget to check out the Jardin aux Papillons (butterfly dome) and spend some time in the Beach of Conleau.

Rennes

Rennes is famous for the highest number of half-timbered houses in Brittany, in which 300 such colorful houses seen of all which survived the fire of 1720. Other admirable attractions in Rennes are the red-white Maison Ti-Koz (the most photogenic and the oldest house in Rennes), Rue du Champ-Jacquet, Baroque style Rennes City Hall and Parc du Thabor (a serene, filled park with a waterfall and vibrant flowers).

Saint-Malo — Brittany Tourism

Saint-Malo’s fortifications of the 17th century are fascinating. And the old city of Saint-Malo, gothic-styled St Malo Cathedral (with eye-catching stained glass windows), Fort National, etc. are must-visit attractions. You can also find plenty of beautiful secluded beaches here; Bon Secours Beach, Nicet Beach, and Eventail Beach.

Dinan

The attraction in Dinan is this medieval town itself because you won’t believe places like this exist in real life unless you set your foot in Dinan. A good place to start is the Centre Historique with its half-timbered houses and well-paved streets. The tiny boutique shops and art galleries are impressive. St. Sauveur Basilica of the 12the century is not to miss along with some places like Château de Dinan Museum, Centre Ville Market.

Nantes 

Once famous shipbuilding city has now lost its glamour to urbanization but Nantes’ history remains intact with the ancient monuments and buildings. You can visit the Chateau of the Dukes of Brittany (a 13th-century palace housing a museum at present), Nantes Cathedral (which contains the tomb of Duke of France, Francis II) Les Machines de l’Ile (the walking elephant is amazing!), Passage Pommeraye (a 19th-century shopping complex), Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle and much more.

Saint Nazaire

Saint Nazaire is famous for being a military shipbuilding industrial city, and therefore, the attractions you see here are mostly related to military affairs and war. The Submarine Base with Escal’ Atlantic tour, Submarine Espadon (first French submarine to dive in the Arctic), Écomusée de Saint-Nazaire (a museum that shows you the history of the shipbuilding industry in Saint-Nazaire), the Airbus tour and the STX Shipyard Tour are must-dos and sees in this city.

Quimper Travel Guide

Quimper France 

While there are many places and attractions to visit in France, the Quimper is the old capital of La Cornouaille in France. This is the traditional and culture-rich region in Brittany. This city may be full of life now, but it has seen a lot of local wars. Quimper was set up in Roman time, but Quimper has become a Bishopric by the 495 AD.

Quimper's name came from the Breton word kemper, which means a junction of two rivers: The Steir and The Odet.

 

Quimper has been famous for pottery and the faience that marks Quimper’s excellent production since the 17th century. It is a town with a lot to explore, and the travel guide below will help you to discover.

10 Best Places to Visit in Quimper (Brittany) France

The cultural heart of Britany, that is Quimper, has a lot to offer. People come here not only because of the culture but also to enjoy the annual festival of Breton Culture. You can find the cathedrals, museums, and many other attractions that are the star of the show. While you are traveling to Quimper, make sure you make the most of this vacation and absorb soothing vibe with the rich-culture.

Here we are talking about the most beautiful places that you must visit when you are traveling to Quimper in Brittany, France.

Quimper City Center

The city center is the attractions that you would want to visit and walk through the medieval construction. The city center in Quimper has remarkable importance that appeals and attracts the tourists and makes them pay a visit here. Do not forget to add the city center to your list and enjoy some more while you are in Quimper.

Les Halles de Quimper

Do you plan to shop while you are here in Quimper? Well, in that case, you need to head to the market. The Les Halles De Quimper is a market that is perfect for the day to day shopping. You can get the necessary things from here, and this market is ideal for visiting. Experience an excellent shopping experience and enjoy the trip at Quimper. There is a lot more than you can do in Quimper.

Odet River Quimper

Why don’t you plan a boat trip to the Odet river? It is an experience that you are worth enjoying. Odet is no doubt the prettiest river on Quimper and when you are out and about to explore Quimper do not miss out on the Odet river. It flows from east to west and also parallel to an old town. Note to visit here in your to-do list while you are discovering Quimper.

Quimper Cathedral — Cathédrale Saint-Corentin de Quimper

Cathédrale Saint-Corentin de Quimper

Cathédrale Saint-Corentin de Quimper is a roman catholic cathedral and national monument in Brittany, France. It was founded in 1239.

Musee Departemental Breton Quimper

People love the museums in Quimper. You can not skip the visit to the museum where you can explore the history, furniture, and crafts. Are you planning to dig on some history? Well, you can visit this museum that is next to the cathedral. Here you will find the archeological remains from all over Breton and people are even more interested to visit here to check the collection of furniture and costume in Breton as well. It is located in the former Bishopric palace which makes it a must-visit territory.

Le Jardin de la Retraite Quimper

Do you need a sigh of relief and some alone time while you are in Quimper? Do you feel like you need a break from the hustle of the city and have some relaxing time in Quimper? Well, you can enjoy some solitude in Quimper in the parks and mature. The Le Jardin de la Retraite is a park located in the mid of the bustling streets of Quimper filled with tourists. It is a beautiful park that is quiet, peaceful, and filled with palm trees. It will help you relax and swamp up the relaxing environment of the Quimper.

Musée des Beaux-Arts de Quimper

Let’s explore some art in Breton. Are you ready for that? Well, visit the Musee Des Beaux-Arts de Quimper to take a look at the exquisite art pieces. The pieces are made by the top-notch artists in Breton and also from the Pont-Aven School.

Château de Lanniron Quimper

Château de Lanniron is a summer residence and located near the river Odet. It is a beautiful summer residence, and the people here love to visit here. There are a beautiful garden and a remarkable history that dates back to the 17th century. Here for the tourists, the Neptune basin, canal, and much more has been restored. You can explore Quimper and visit many other locations using the travel guides. Visiting Quimper is, no doubt, a lot of fun.

Musee de la Faience de Quimper

Museums are the highlights of Quimper. When you are here in Quimper, you must visit the Musee de la Faience de Quimper. Here you will find out the craft that has the collection of the craft of over 2000 works. You can find out the abstract arts, earthware, and pieces from everyday life as well. However, before you visit here, research a bit, plan a trip here, and explore the most.

Les Gorges du Stangala Quimper

Do you want to explore something other than the museums? Well, Quimper has a lot more than just museums. There are bits of nature that you can explore and the wildlife as well. The les gorges du stangala Quimper is the best place to visit when you are planning to explore the natural and wildlife of Quimper. Take a peaceful walk here are enjoy a calm and cozy atmosphere. It is a great place where you can filter your thoughts, do a little self-evaluation, and appreciate the beauty of the place. Also, you will hear the soothing sound of the gushing water from the river Odet that is also amazing soul food.

There is a lot more to discover, visit, and interesting things to do in Quimper. Visit the museums, explore the parks, enjoy at the river Odet and eat the best food while you are in Quimper. Explore Quimper and make a list of the places you visit. Take photos as a souvenir and enjoy the trip to this city with a remarkable history and a fantastic environment.