Cuges-les-Pins

Looking for an unbeatable holiday in Provence? Head for Cuges-les-Pins, in the Aubagne region. Staying at a campsite near Marseille allows you to discover this sublime village, built on the largest and most beautiful poljé in France.

Presentation

Cuges-les-Pins is a commune of almost 5400 inhabitants, located 13 km from Aubagne and 31 km from Marseille. Small in size (38.81 km²), Cuges-les-Pins has enjoyed worldwide renown since the 15th century, thanks to the cultivation of saffron.

Over the centuries, this bucolic village has made its living from agriculture, producing pitch, capers, silks, cades and rosemary. Nowadays, it is turning to viticulture, where it boasts the AOC Côtes-de-Provence label.

Cuges-les-Pins is entirely surrounded by hills. It lies on a poljé, a karstic depression in the shape of a plain, which for a long time was occupied by a lake.

Cuges-les-Pins must-sees

In the heart of this wild, unspoilt Provencal landscape are a few hidden gems to visit during your stay in the Bouches-du-Rhône.

The Clock Tower

The commune of Cuges-les-Pins once had a clock tower built in the 17th century. It was destroyed in 1911 due to its dilapidation. The current clock tower was built in 1824.

Glandevès castle

The château, now privately owned, belonged to the Glandevès family, lords of Cuges. In 1509, Antoine de Glandevès, the lord of the time, authorized the inhabitants to settle around his lands, forming what is now Cuges-les-Pins.

Saint-Antoine chapel

This little chapel is a real eye-catcher, with its unique architecture dominating the village from above. Designed by Marseille architect Monnier, it was built in 1896 on the site of the château’s former chapel. An annual pilgrimage takes place here every June 13.

The church

You’ll also find a church whose history dates back to 1509. It was destroyed and replaced in 1869, as it was deemed unsightly. A relic of Saint-Antoine, the local patron saint, can be found here.

Fountains and oratories

The Moussue fountain, rebuilt in the 1830s, still stands on the Place de la Libération. Like the old fountain, it proudly displays lion heads.

Foulage area

This is a stone-paved area that was once used to thresh wheat to separate the kernels from the ears.

Activities and places nearby

There’s no better place than Cuges-les-Pins to visit the places of interest in Bouches-du-Rhône and Provence. The Sainte-Baume massif, the medieval face of Castellet, the Corniche des Crêtes, the Calanques National Park… all within 20 km of this attractive destination.

Hiking, monument visits, gastronomic discoveries, cultural outings and water sports are just some of the activities you can enjoy with your family. Cuges-les-Pins is home to the OK Corral amusement park, where children can enjoy a Far West atmosphere.

Accommodation near Cuges-les-Pins

Youcamp in Aubagne is just 20 minutes from Cuges-les-Pins. Situated on the map between Marseille and Cuges-les-Pins, this vacation residence is the perfect place to put down your suitcase.

Set in a lush, flower-filled landscape, this 3-star estate offers ecolodges, cabanons and comfortable, unusual accommodation. You’ll be able to live in a cozy rental while staying as close to nature as possible. The campsite also boasts a swimming pool in a rural setting, ideal for relaxing after a day’s sightseeing.