The Cote Bleue or Blue Coast is a 40 kilometre stretch of Mediterranean coastline in the south of France, between the city of Marseille and the villages on the edge of the Etang de Berre, a small inland sea. Along the Cote Bleue, named for the beautiful colour of the ocean in this part of the Mediterranean, there are dozens of picturesque coastal villages, family-friendly beaches and plenty of opportunity to explore the stunning countryside on foot or on bicycle. There are other ways to see the best of the Cote Bleue, and one of the most popular with tourists is the train route that runs from Marseille’s main station to the town of Miramas on the Etang de Berre.
The Cote Bleue train line was not built as a tourist attraction when it was first opened in 1915, but now most of the people travelling along this spectacular route, especially in the summer months, are visitors to the region. Make sure you get a seat on the left hand side of the carriage as you leave Marseille to enjoy the best views of the stunning coastline. Not only does the route pass through some of the most spectacular natural scenery in southern France – home to mountains, valleys, gorges and high cliffs – but also through some of the prettiest villages too, many of which enjoy their own amazing views over the sea and the Cote Bleue itself. If you want to return to Marseille via a different route, then get off the Cote Bleue train in Carry le Rouet and walk down to the small port. Here you can board a boat back to Marseille and enjoy a very different perspective on the sights of the Cote Bleue.
L’Estaque is the first village you come to after leaving Marseille and heading along the Cote Bleue. Although it is just a small fishing village, it has been home and inspiration to some of the most famous French artists throughout the decades, such as Cezanne, Renoir and Braque. Art lovers may even recognise parts of L’Estaque from paintings that feature in museums all over the world. Carry le Rouet, where visitors can board tourist boats back to Marseille is worth spending some time in before you board. The pleasant town centre is based around the port, while there are several excellent seafood restaurants if you decide to stop for lunch. An easy path takes you away from Carry to some of the best beaches on the Cote Bleue, most of which lie in sheltered rocky coves and never get as busy as those on the Cote d’Azur.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Cote Bleue? Then below is a selection of gites in Cote Bleue and villas in Cote Bleue that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
