La Ciotat and Corniche des Cretes, France

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8ft). In the afternoon especially there is a splendid view of the coast from the Calanques to Cap Croisette. The whole stretch, barely 15km/9mi long, leads via the Grande Tête to La Ciotat.

La Ciotat, a pretty fishing village with a once important shipyard (now closed; dry dock for ships up to 300,000 tons) lies on the western side of the bay of the same name, dominated by the bold crags of the Bec de l'Aigle (eagle's beak), 155m/509ft high. Offshore is the little Ile Verte (Green Island) with a fortress. In the attractive Old Town are many 17th and 18th C. houses, and near the Town Hall (1864) a turreted keep. Notable paintings are to be seen in the parish church at the Old Port. A visit to the Musée d'Histoire Locale (local history) is recommended.

Following the new harbor northwards we reach the district of La Ciotat-Plage, with hotels and a beach.