Carry-le-Rouet is a French commune, located in the department of the Rhone delta in the region Provence-Alpes-Côte d ‘Azure.
Carry-le-Rouet is located between Marseille, to the east, Martigues and the Etang de Berre to the north-west. A very popular seaside resort in summer, there is a marina, beaches, sheltered coves, and many nautical and sports activities.
History
Carry-le-Rouet seems to have attracted men since the earliest times of Mediterranean prehistory. The rock shelters of Rouet housed nomadic populations around 20,000 years ago, during the last glaciations.
In 1584, Carry-le-Rouet became a community around the concept of a defense tower. Depending on Châteauneuf-les-Martigues, the population, divided between farmers and fishermen, is under the authority of the lords of Jarente, who built the first castle.
The town of Carry then goes through centuries without history with the exception in 1805 of an English landing to destroy a coastal battery.
In 1915, the Miramas-Marseille railway line opened up Carry-le-Rouet. Many military convoys will use it between 1915 and 1918. When peace returned, the first housing estates were created before the 1940 war with the arrival of water and electricity.
Carry-le-Rouet in 1950 was ready to become the residential area it is today close to important towns and economic development areas.
The actor and singer Fernandel owned a villa there. Contrary to his wishes, his remains were never brought back to Carry-le-Rouet. Jazz diva Nina Simone lived the last years of her life in Carry-le-Rouet and died there in 2003. Her funeral took place in Carry-le-Rouet in the presence of her daughter Lisa Simone and her friend the South African singer Myriam Makeba.
The city of Carry-le-Rouet acquired a new visual identity in 2014 to give the town a facelift. By its colors and its pictograms, it represents both the four seasons, the four elements (flora, water, earth and fauna) as well as the four attractions of the seaside resort (pines, the sea, the lighthouse and sea urchins).
Attractions
Eaux-Salées Viaduct
The Eaux-Salées rail viaduct is located in the far east of the region near the Eaux-Salées natural creek (‘calanque’). One of the finest creations designed by the engineer Paul Séjourné. This colossal work was built in less than ideal conditions. Indeed, the valley was discovered to be an abundant source of alkali and magnesium sulphates.
The Paris-Lyon-Méditerranée (PLM) rail company asked for a concession to build a railway which would, for safety reasons, connect the section from Miramas to Marseille. PLM was awarded the concession in 1883.
The decision was made to build a single arch, 50 m wide, a particularly audacious plan. 25 m tall, 143 m long and 246 m wide, the viaduct towers over Eaux-Salées creek. The tracks are laid out over 10 arches built over one main arch. On the west side, the arch has a foundation of solid dolomite rock. On the east side, the foundations are very deep (22 m below sea level).
The viaduct was completed in 1914 and opened to rail traffic in 1915. The regional heritage and sites commission awarded the site a 20th century heritage badge on 28 November 2000.
Chapelle Notre Dame du Rouet
Chapelle du Rouet is located on Cap de la Vierge, a headland east of the village centre. The chapel stands on a triangular promontory surrounded by a forest of Aleppo pines and thorn bushes similar to those growing in the ‘garrigue’ (scrubland) towering over the sea, natural creeks (‘calanques’) and Marseille harbour.
At the summit, to the west you can take in views of Le Rouet beach and port. Looking eastwards you’ll see Eaux-Salées creek and its rail viaduct. Inside the chapel is a statue dedicated to Our Lady of Rouet, depicting the Virgin seated and feeding her infant.
The current chapel was built in the 17th century. You can read the year 1653 inscribed on the lintel above the door. The chapel was restored and extended in 1877. Left unattended after the First World War and threatened with ruin after the Second World War, it was fully renovated thanks to funding from the local community, the town council and donations from the congregation.
Arts Pavilion
The arts pavilion opens its doors to a plural exhibition. Paintings and sculptures are presented in this beautiful setting next to the new Tourist Office. Philippe Palmieri president of the association Pros Arts Lacydon, initiator of the project, offers the public a selection of major signatures.
Josepha and Stratos sculptors of international dimension unveil their bronzes, resins and stainless steel. Floh, she transports us to her playful universe through her colored resins.
The paintings are also highly represented: Spahn, Jequel, Cavalli, Fremaux, Gachaga… without forgetting the presence of an original work by Bernard Buffet.
The scriptures are as varied as the signatures. The landscapes rub shoulders with scenes of life which give a response to the lyrical abstraction of Jadis or the whimsical universe of Drouet. Gachaga moves us with his series of icons reworked on aluminum.
With the Arts Pavilion, our charming town of Carry le Rouet has an exceptional artistic presentation surface. An art gallery worthy of the name. Quality exhibitions will be presented throughout the year.
La Bergerie art gallery
Once a sheep shed and then a place for storing nets and equipment used by local fishermen, La Bergerie (Montus Foundation) has retained all its historic charm with its stunning vaulted ceiling.
This art gallery is one of Côte Bleue’s main exhibition centres. A place to meet, share ideas and make new discoveries for art aficionados and budding enthusiasts.
Cinéma Fernandel
A celebration of the silver screen, the town’s local cinema runs a programme designed to excite and entertain the whole family. Cinéma Fernandel is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Sponsored by French actor Michel Boujenah in 1998, the cinema is equipped with a Digital DTS sound system. 3D films can be viewed with Active glasses.
Comfort, acoustics and sound have all been carefully studied for your viewing pleasure. The air-conditioned theatre has 198 seats and is accessible for people with reduced mobility (lift directly into the theatre) and the Deaf.
Premiers, national releases, themed evenings and talks, as well as matinée, breakfast and family snack screenings… there’s something for every film buff. Screenwriters and actors regularly visit to present their latest productions and meet the public.
Culture and heritage
Civil heritage
The Eaux-salées viaduct: a monumental structure on the Côte Bleue railway line.
Religious heritage
The Rouet chapel, built in 1353 and then rebuilt twice on this site, dominates the harbor of Marseille.
Natural heritage
Carry-le-Rouet is famous for its clear water beaches and its picturesque fishing port.
The commune of Carry has an area of 1,007 hectares of which 270 are urbanized. The others constitute a vast wooded nature reserve.
The Côte Bleue Regional Marine Park: this is an 85 hectare marine reserve prohibited to all forms of fishing and intended to protect underwater species and flora, in particular the Posidonia meadow, essential for preservation of marine ecosystems.
Scuba diving sites: Carry-le-Rouet is known for its many scuba diving spots.
Species
Posidonia
Posidonia is not a species of algae but a flowering plant, one which plays a huge role in the Mediterranean ecosystem. It is native to the Mediterranean and lives between the surface and up to 40 metres deep, creating a lush underwater forest.
Coralligène
The French word ‘coralligène’ refers to all the plants and wildlife attached to the underwater rocks.
Groupers and corbs
The brown-marbled grouper and the corb are two iconic species of the Mediterranean and extremely sensitive to fishing pressure.
Urchins
The purple sea urchin, also known as the ‘chestnut of the sea’ or by its Latin name Paracentrotus lividus, is the species of urchin enjoyed at the town’s urchin festivals. It can be purple, but this species can also be brown or green.
Marine Park
The area of intervention of the mixed union extends over the entire coastline of the Côte Bleue, from Anse des Laurons in the west, to Pointe des Corbières in the east, and over the adjacent marine environment to ‘3 miles offshore. It operates in the municipalities of Martigues, Sausset-les-Pins, Carry-le-Rouet, Ensuès-la-Redonne and Le Rove.
The protected marine area of Cap Rousset was created in December 1982. It is an area of 85 ha which borders the coast and which extends offshore to the vicinity of the deep limit of the Posidonia meadows, i.e. about half a mile. The rocky bottoms are present along the coastline and extend offshore in the form of slabs and blocks emerging from the herbarium; the most important being between 10 and 15 meters deep.
Beaches and creeks
The town of Carry-le-Rouet offers a great diversity of beaches: rocks, sand and creeks stretch out over the Côte Bleue. Respect and protection of the environment being essential, the classified tourist resort is continuing its efforts and perfecting its methods to protect its coastline and its bathing waters.
Calanque de la Tuilière
A sheltered site, frequented by regulars who meet for its charm and tranquility. Petanque and card competition for members. Practical information: bar-restaurant, shower.
Calanque des Eaux Salées
Wild cove spanned by a century-old and listed railway viaduct. Located in an Aleppo pine forest, the view is breathtaking on the island of Grande Mornas.
Rouet Beach
Cradle of tanning, this half-sandy half-pebble beach is the largest beach in the town with an exceptional setting, overlooking Marseille and its islands. Practical information: bars, restaurants, sailing and diving club, first aid station, toilets, showers, private beach.
Cap Rousset Beach
At the heart of the marine reserve and a rocky cove, it is sheltered from winds and waves. Very popular with families with young children. Practical information: bar-restaurant, toilets, shower, first aid station, snorkeling trail.
Fernandel Beach
Near the port, regulars come to take a bath there very early in the morning. Fernandel docked his boat, near his house. Practical information: toilets, shower. Diving and sport fishing clubs at Espace Roger Grange.
Calanque des Pierres Tombées
Near the Pain de Sucre, this calanque is known for the clarity of its waters, for the ochres of its cliffs surrounded by dense vegetation, sculpted by the spray. Very popular place for walkers, painters and photographers. It is located on the lizard trail, you will discover superb panoramic views of the Phocaean city and the coast of the Côte Bleue.
The ports
The specificity of the Carry-le-Rouet marina is that it is located in the heart of a cove, protected by imposing wooded cliffs. With a capacity of 559 berths and 20 passenger berths. With a capacity of 100 places (this one does not have a passenger place), it is located to the west of the Rouet beach. Port well sheltered from the Mistral, but exposed to the south and south-east wind.
Sea-oriented activities
Diving, swimming, sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding or just splashing around… The seaside resort has many structures to enjoy the Mediterranean. Diving, sailing on various boats, paddle, kayak, towed buoy, boat rentals, sea trips, dolphin encounters, big game fishing.
Events and festivities
Every year, in February since 1956, an event called “ea urchin” has taken place in the port, tasting sea urchins and various molluscs and crustaceans.
Sea urchins festival
In 1952, during a sea urchin tasting at the cove of Cap Rousset, the fishermen offered the mayor of the time, Jean-Baptiste Grimaldi, his weight… In sea urchins. The event was folkloric and the sea urchin obtained its title of nobility.
In 1960, the municipality of Alfred Martin launched “The Sea Urchin Day”, in the middle of winter, in February when the “sea chestnuts” are at their peak. Their orange gonads, strongly iodized, delight lovers of this seafood. The objective of reviving Carryan activity in the non-summer period was thus achieved.
Around the 1970s, this day became a tradition. Accompanied by painting exhibitions, markets and events, “The Sea Urchin Day” became “The Sea Urchin Month”. The latter takes place on the first three Sundays of February. Thousands of visitors from all over France flock to the port.
Summer festivities and fireworks
A seaside resort ideal for families, Carry-le-Rouet comes alive beneath the sun and the sound of cicadas with a full and diverse events programme.
Septembre en Mer festival
This annual event held throughout the month of September is a chance for everyone to get acquainted with the myriad maritime pleasures our coastal region has to offer.
Christmas
In the run-up to and during the Christmas holidays, Carry-le-Rouet organises lots of festive events for the whole family.
Local markets
Weekly market
Mix with the locals and explore the regional gastronomy at the market which sets up on Place Alfred Martin, just a stone’s throw from the port. Stroll from stall to stall to taste and buy a range of products made in Provence, from tapenades, olives and sun-ripened fruit and vegetables to fromage frais and Brousse goat’s cheese. Lots of sellers also propose clothes and accessories (swimwear, shoes, bags and jewellery) and holiday souvenirs (Provençal table cloths, Marseille soap and more).
Late-night markets
Carry-le-Rouet’s late night markets are hugely popular not just with tourists but residents on the ‘Blue Coast’. Alongside food specialities from the region, you’ll also find typically Provençal products. An ideal place to pick up holiday souvenirs such as clothing and essential oils and browse after a delicious meal. The market also sells the creative and innovative wares of local artisans. A great chance to meet stall holders and soak up the vibrant and colourful atmosphere.
Fish market
A fish market is held every morning on the central jetty across from Esplanade Jean Jaurès.
Casino de jeux Barrière
The Casino is open 7 days a week, from 10 am to 3 am (4 am on Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays). Entry is reserved for people over the age of 18 and not banned from gambling on presentation of a piece of ID or your Carre Vip card.
The Casino boasts 180 gambling machines including 115 latest-generation models for your entertainment. You can also try your luck at the electronic Video Poker and Roulette machines. There is also a gaming room with seven different tables including two Texas Hold’em Poker tables for however you wish to gamble.
The Casino restaurant affords beautiful views over the port. This traditional brasserie offers a selection of dishes and fixed price menus which guests can enjoy outside on the terrace (heated in winter) or in the dining room. A warm and inviting place to take a break, eat delicious fare or drink cocktails. Continuous service. A friendly bar and restaurant, particularly lively when matches are screened.
Themed dinner evenings are a chance to experience different tastes, flavours and ambiences from around the world. The Casino also organises a busy and varied programme of shows, themed evenings and concerts all year round.