Open the Aix-en-Provence Itinerary Map for reference while you read about the itineraries.
• Roadmap: Michelin #245.
Aix-en-Provence west out of the center, left onto the N296/A51 autoroute and head south towards Marseille/Marignane. Nearing Marseille, go right (west) onto the A7, then continue onto the A55 autoroute, exit for Martigues. [detail map]
Martigues with its canals (the Venise of Provence) is an interesting stop, with shops, markets, other sites.
The area between Marseille and Martigues is pretty built-up, but there are interesting villages along the south coast, and some nice places in the hills along the middle of the area.
The road north from Martigues to Istres goes along the west side of the Etang de Berre. There are various sites along the way, including fortified ruins at Saint Mitre-les-Remparts. The town of Istres has a nice lake-side park and a good paleontological museum.
Alternate.
From Istres head north [map] to Miramas and around to Saint Chamas. It's only about 15 km of driving (15-20 minutes) and there's a lot to see. The main part of Miramas has shops, but the picturesque part is the perched old-village along the road towards Saint Chamas. We're particularly fascinated by the old village of Saint Chamas, with its "comb" of rectilinear streets by the port.
From Martigues go southwest past Fos-sur-Mer towards Port-St-Louis, all very industrial. Just outside Port-St-Louis, go northwest, following the signs for the "Bac de Barcaran", the little ferry boat that crosses the Rhone to Salin-de-Giraud.
This is a good stop for visiting the salt mountains of the Salins-du-Midi, or wandering around the western part of the Camargue.
From Salin-de-Giraud a road goes southeast through the marshes along the mouth of the Rhone, and you'll find out here the lovely Palissade Natural Park, were we often go for long walks and observing the migratory birds when they arrive from North Africa.
Hotels.
There are a couple of funky old hotels in Salin-de-Giraud, both of which we've stayed at a few times.
The final leg from Salin-de-Giraud to Arles is a half-hour drive if you go directly, to have time to visit Arles a bit or check in to a hotel. But there are some little roads along the way for exploring the rice paddies and bird marshes of the eastern side of the Camargue.
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