Martigues

Martigues is a canal town about 40 km north-west of Marseille in the Bouches-du-Rhone department of Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, France, sometimes called the Venice of Provence. Painted fishing boats line the Canal Saint-Sebastien, and the main sights are the Miroir aux Oiseaux at Quai Brescon and the Ferrieres quarter. The easiest transport is the TER Zou train from Marseille Saint-Charles, which takes about 52 to 55 minutes on direct services; other trains change at Miramas and take 1 hour 20 or more, so the timetable should be checked on sncf-connect.com. Driving takes about 40 minutes via the A55, with parking near the Quai Brescon. A suggested day arc is a morning arrival and a slow walk along the canal-side quays, which are flat and paved, taking in the Miroir aux Oiseaux, the colourful boats and the bridges that link the quarters. The Ferrieres quarter can be explored on foot afterwards. Lunch is a natural highlight, with a fish meal on the quay, and the morning is the best time of day for the waterfront light and a calm atmosphere. The afternoon suits a stroll through the other quarters and perhaps a coffee beside the water before the return train. The best seasons are April to June and September to October, when terraces are comfortable and the canals are not too hot. Midsummer afternoons can be warm and the quays have limited shade. The town is small enough to cover in a few hours, so Martigues combines well with another stop in the area if a longer day is wanted. Visitors should check opening times for any museum or gallery they wish to enter. The overall exertion is easy, with train travel and flat walking.