Saint-Mitre-Les-Remparts combines a medieval town within 15th-century defensive walls with archaeological traces and walking trails. The town lies on a narrow isthmus, only about six kilometres wide, between the Mediterranean Sea and the Étang de Berre. This gives you a choice of different focuses for your stay: the town’s history or paths with views of the water.
Ramparts and settlement history
The defensive walls give the medieval town a clear historical character. The history at the archaeological site of Saint-Blaise reaches back even further; it is listed as a historic monument. The site covers 5.5 hectares and preserves remains of successive ancient, late antique and medieval settlements. Visitors interested in archaeological sites will find traces of several settlement periods in one place.
Independent and guided visits to Saint-Blaise are possible. As visitor arrangements may change, it is best to check in advance which types of visit are currently offered. This lets you plan this stop according to your interests, without assuming a specific duration or fixed itinerary for the visit.
Walking trails and viewpoints by the Étang de Berre
Cadéraou and Figuerolles form a 426-hectare wooded area near Saint-Mitre-Les-Remparts, with walking paths and hiking trails above the Étang de Berre. Marked trails from Cadéraou and Figuerolles offer viewpoints over the water. This gives the area a different focus from the ramparts and settlement remains of Saint-Blaise: here, the main attractions are paths through the wooded area and views of the Étang.
A specific starting point and destination are given for the circular route west of the Étang de Berre: it begins at the car park by the shore and leads to La Patorgue beach. The route includes a surfaced path along the shore and a small wooden bridge. It also climbs to the Balcons de Cadéraou, at an elevation of 127 metres. This route description therefore combines the shore, a bridge, a beach destination and a higher viewpoint.
Hikes with different time requirements
Another option is the hike through Cadéraou and Figuerolles. It takes three to four hours and leads to a small, secluded beach made of deposited shells. The stated time range provides a specific guide for planning this hike, while the distinctive description of its destination also sets it apart from the circular route to La Patorgue beach.
When choosing, you can therefore focus on what you are looking for: the circular route west of the Étang has a named starting point at the shore-side car park and leads to La Patorgue beach. The hike through Cadéraou and Figuerolles, by contrast, is characterised by its three to four hours’ duration and the shell beach. The marked trails in the wooded area are notable for their viewpoints over the Étang. These differences can help you choose an outing based on its destination, time required or views.
Discover more destinations: Meyrargues, Saint-Chamas, Pélissanne, Jouques, Saint-Paul-Lès-Durance, Saint-Étienne-du-Grès, Simiane-Collongue, Port-Saint-Louis-Du-Rhône
For the main travel overview: Bouches Du Rhone.
