Port-de-bouc

A peninsula advances towards the Mediterranean, facing the imposing stature of the Fort of Goat, which takes care majestueusement of the ceaseless ballet of the pleasure and fishing vessels…

Port de Bouc knew to develop energies of the sea in its economic development and its activities of leisures. The presence of an exceptional sea front and several wooded areas made it possible to preserve a pleasant framework of life on this territory, where cultural diversity enriches the daily newspaper and colours the human relations.

Navy blue with the green hill, the visitor will be allured by these invaluable assets, which make the richness of this pretty Home port.

In the Middle Ages a small small island attracts covetousnesses for its strategic site, representing a sure shelter at the entry of the Channel of Caronte, with the outlet of the Pond of Berre.

At the 12th century the Viscounts of Marseilles build a tower of defense there, where many adventures occur, often bloody. It is at the 16th and 17th centuries that the fortifications are built, such as one sees them today. The Strong one was called Fort Vauban a long time, whereas Vauban taken part forever in work, perhaps he was the originator of origin…

The creation of the petrochemical complex of Lavéra upsets the site in 1922 and the small island is seen attached to the commune of Martigues, which acquires the Fort in 1992 and undertakes its restoration. Registered with the Inventory of the Historic buildings, it is opened to the public today, within the framework of visits of group, organized by the Tourist office of Martigues.

The route borrows the avenue of the Gulf, pleasant maritime walk of almost 2 km, ideal for stroll family with foot or in the bicycle.

On the whole 7 km of littoral follow one another since the centre town until the various sand beaches end or of rollers: the beach of Acute Soft, made up of natural splits, the beach of the Rollers, labellized “Blue House”, the beach of the Bears and the Point of Calved, where archaeological excavations made it possible to discover a necropolis of 12 tombs going back to 200 before J.C the beach of Bottaï, labellized “Blue House” the Cheese beach, near the nautical base.

The forest of Castillon occupies the northern part of the city and represents an exceptional natural space, rich in flora Mediterranean, populated many species of birds and flanked of four ponds. Arranged carparks, equipped with informative panels and surfaces of relaxation, this forest field of 288 ha allows the practice of various activities: excursion or pedestrian race, course of health, discovered natural heritage and history, drive out, horsemanship, VTT… and also picnic in family. Anxious to prevent the fires and to ensure a pleasant reception the public, the ONF regularly undertakes actions of afforestation and explanation which support the biodiversity, and particularly emphasize the biological, landscape and patrimonial richnesses of the forest while respecting its identity.
* Path of discovered Will be able” (beaconing: pink Flemish) This path allows to leave to research a rich zone as well on the natural level as patrimonial through a series panels sets of themes: local flora, the pond and the birds which populate it, the problem of the fires and the regeneration of the vegetation, various types of rocks and traces of the last human activities (the extraction of the stone, agriculture, the management of water). Course of 1.6 km, overhanging part of the pond of Will be able, accessible to individual in free visit. Possibility of organizing guided visits for the groups on reservation near the Tourist office.
* Path for people with reduced mobility” Skirting the country lane on 2 km, this path is accessible to the people with reduced mobility, with poussettes, bicycles for children. It offers a sight released on the pond of Will be able and the village of St Mitre the Ramparts and profits from carparks and fountains in the vicinity.
 * Path of the channel” (beaconing: squirrel) From the horse center, this path makes it possible to make a loop of 3.6 km, around the plate of Castillon. It walks on partly along the small channel which fed water Martigues formerly (authorized VTT).
* Path of the birds” (beaconing: pink Flemish) Path of 5.2 km which makes it possible to approach closest to the birds of the pond to Will be able and to observe will hérons ashy, mallards, foulques, pink flamingos, tadornes… (Authorized VTT).