Martigues

Situated close to Marseilles and La Camargue, the town of Martigues was formerly a small fishing port. It has now grown considerably, largely due to the development of the oil complex at Lavéra-Etang-de-Berre. However, it is a place of eternal enchantment, often referred to as the "Venice of Provence" with its pretty, pastel-colored houses reflecting in the water and the intricate canals bathed in a radiant light. Overlooked by the church of Notre-Dame des Marins, this lakeside town is a real feast for the senses. Be sure to visit the Ziem museum, dedicated to the painter Félix Ziem, at Ferrières, as well as the ornately-decorated Annonciade chapel at Jonquières, and the Madeleine church on the island, with its elaborate Baroque façade. On the quayside, you can sample the day's catch fresh from the sea: oysters, mussels and sea urchins in winter and poutargue (caviar from black mullet eggs) in summer.