The villages of La Couronne, with itsquarries , Les Tamaris, and St Julien (Gallo-Roman bas relief ) and St Pierre (chapel on top of a rocky spur) are evidence of Gallic presence dating back a long way. It is here that you find the pine forests that run right down to the sea, and the vineyards (la Venise Provençale, AOC of côteaux d'Aix) (local Appellation Contrôlée wines) and olive groves.

The Figuerolles woods, with patches of scrubland and " restanques", are a real breath of fresh air for the town, where you can go for walks, includes a park, an educational farm and the town council’s greenhouses. Martigues is a town rated 4 Flowers and current holder of the Grand Prix National de Fleurissement (National Floral Decoration Prize).