Istres is not one of the touristic flagship towns of Provence, but it is a dynamic and lively town, unlike other villages that have died but are considered idyllic. We are west of the Etang de Berre and the town is surrounded by other ponds of varying sizes. The land is not flat, the ponds have partly rocky shores and of course the town's church is built on the central rock.

Description

The Romanesque style church is historically connected to the former castle. The first mentions come from 1510 and concern the addition of the bell tower. The religious building collapsed several times and was gradually enlarged. After the bell tower collapsed in 1833, the eastern part was rebuilt, as was the bell tower.

The church is only open for visits on Saturdays.

The panorama includes the city and the Étang de l'Olivier.

Access by public transport

Istres is linked to Marseille by the beautiful train route along the Côte Bleue. The train station is in the west of the city. Information under lepilote.com (only french).

Turn right after leaving the station and follow Avenue Aristide Briand, which later leads to the church on the rock in the city center. When the road bends to the right, we take the passage with stairs on the left. We come into the small streets of the old town. At the next crossroads, turn left onto Rue Alfred Courbon, then right uphill. At the top right and further up in the direction of the church square and to the viewing terrace on the left

Access by car

Istres lies to the east of the Étang de Berre, between Salon-de-Provence to the north and Fos-sur-Mer to the south. The ideal approach is from the north or along the Étang de Berre.

Paid car park on the Esplanade Bernadin Laugier, on the edge of the Étang de l'Olivier, north of the city centre.

With our backs to the pond, we walk past the theater on the right into the city. We then take one of the lanes that lead left to the top of the hill. If you turn right first, you will pass the Porte d'Arles, which dates back to the 18th century.