Martigues | ||
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Commune | ||
Le Miroir aux oiseaux (Bird Mirror) area
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Coordinates: 43°24′19″N 5°02′51″E / 43.4053°N 5.0475°ECoordinates: 43°24′19″N 5°02′51″E / 43.4053°N 5.0475°E | ||
Country | France | |
Region | Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur | |
Department | Bouches-du-Rhône | |
Arrondissement | Istres | |
Canton | Martigues | |
Intercommunality | Aix-Marseille-Provence | |
Government | ||
• Mayor (2008–2014) | Gaby Charroux | |
Area1 | 71.44 km2 (27.58 sq mi) | |
Population (2008)2 | 46,471 | |
• Density | 650/km2 (1,700/sq mi) | |
Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | |
• Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | |
INSEE/Postal code | 13056 /13500 | |
Elevation | 0–187 m (0–614 ft) (avg. 1 m or 3.3 ft) |
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1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. 2Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once. |
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
Martigues (Occitan: Lo Martegue in classical norm, Lou Martegue in Mistralian norm) is a commune northwest of Marseille. It is part of the Bouches-du-Rhône department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region on the eastern end of the Canal de Caronte.
A direct translation from the Martigues Tourisme website reveals the following about Martigues:
Nicknamed the "Provençale Venice", Martigues is a point of passage between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Martigues (now Etang de Berre), close to the Côte d'Azur. The charm of its canals, its docks and bridges made it "The Venice of Provence". Martigues possesses also its cooperative winery "La Venise provençale": Coteaux d'Aix en Provence, rosé, red and white wines, fruit juices and natural oils in the region. Main varietals: Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Carignan, Clairette.
Martigues was founded by Ramon Berenguer IV, count of Provence in 1232 on the likely site of the Roman camp Maritima Avaticorum.
Gaby Charroux is the current deputy Mayor of the City of Martigues.
The Gare de Martigues railway station is served by regional trains between Miramas and Marseille.