Le Rove: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Le Rove is strongly characterised by protected landscapes: 87 percent of the municipality’s area lies within a protected landscape area – this corresponds to around 2,000 of 2,300 hectares. At the same time, the municipality is part of the publicly accessible Côte Bleue, which is classified as the Massif de la Nerthe landscape protection area and lies within a Natura 2000 site.

Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Le Rove can find out about the town here.

Nature

The Côte Bleue, to which Le Rove belongs, also includes an area where a pair of Bonelli’s eagles breeds. A special 113-hectare protected zone has been established there for these birds. Le Rove’s remarkable natural landscape can be explored on foot or by mountain bike. A 3.5-kilometre dirt track through the garrigue leads to Fort de Niolon. A road also leads to the Calanques de La Vesse and de Niolon.

Culture and History

The Chapelle Saint-Michel in Le Rove dates from the 12th to 13th century and is considered one of the earliest examples of Gothic art. The site was classified as a Monument historique on 29 July 1977. Camp de Laure is also protected as a Monument historique; it was classified on 15 January 1997. It is the only fortified settlement in southern France with stone fortification walls dating from the Bronze Age. Excavations uncovered part of the rampart and characteristic pottery from the Bell Beaker culture.

Fort de Niolon was built in the late 1880s at a site located 193 metres above sea level. A hike to discover Niolon includes a 200-metre detour from which the lower part of Fort de Niolon can be seen from the outside. The hike to discover Niolon, its fort and the Calanque de La Vesse is easy and begins at a starting point accessible by train. It can be reached via the TER railway line from Marseille to Miramas via Port-de-Bouc.

The Tunnel du Rove was intended to connect the large port of Marseille via the Rhône with the waterways of northern France. At the same time, it is the only underground maritime passage connecting the Mediterranean with the Étang de Berre.

Regional Specialities

The local history also includes Brousse du Rove, which received AOC status in 2018. GAEC André Gouiran in Le Rove is one of its producers. Brousse du Rove is traditionally eaten sweet with jam or orange blossom water, or savoury with a dash of olive oil.

Activities

Diving is considered the main activity at Base du Centre UCPA Niolon.

Other places: Le Grau-Du-Roi, Saint-Marc-Jaumegarde, Lançon-de-Provence, Lamanon, Peynier, Belcodène, Lambesc, Carro

For the higher-level travel overview: Bouches Du Rhone.