La Ciotat (France Riviera)

La Ciotat (aka La Cieutat) is a Mediterranean port (locode FRLCT) and town in France's Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region (Bouches-du-Rhone department) with population around 35,000. La Ciotat is located close to two large French Riviera port cities (each at approx 25 km / 16 mi) - Marseille (to the northwest) and Toulon (to the southeast).

As cruise port, La Ciotat is visited by small- and mid-sized luxury ships and superyachts from the fleets of top-luxury travel brands like Seabourn, Silversea, Crystal, SeaDream.

La Ciotat is famous for the petanque game (in the group of boules sports/like bocce, raffa, boule lyonnaise, lawn bowls, crown green bowling) invented here in 1907 by Jules Le Noir. The local economy is based on business services (including office rentals, hotels, etc) and tourism (shopping, restaurants, bars). SNCF trains connecting Marseille with Toulon stop at La Ciotat almost every hour.

Because of its rocky location, La Ciotat's beach is artificial and conveniently located in downtown, within close proximity/walking distance from marinas (pleasure boats and yacht berthing facilities), shipyards, shops, restaurants and bars, the bus station. The headland Cap Canaille (height 394 m / 1293 ft) between La Ciotat and Cassis is one of Europe's highest sea bluffs and used as a landmark by sailors since ancient times.

Tourists are also attracted by the annual Cinestival (film festival held here in June) and the scriptwriter festival (April), Parc du Mugel (botanical garden and a nature preserve).