Aubagne

The historical center

The historical center of Aubagne, an old medieval city surrounded by  ramparts from the 16th century, owns several interesting monuments such as the Gachiou door (the main entree out of seven of the city), the church of Saint Sauveur (11th century), the “tour de l’Horloge”, the triangular bell tower of the Observance, the Chapel of the Black Penitents, the Chapel of the White Penitents...

The narrow streets and the shaded squares in the old center are typial of Mediterranean cities, especially in the rue Torte, rue Rastègue, rue du Four, place Joseph Rau, place de Guin, and also the colored mansions orold ornamentation typical of the 16th and 17th centuries (Hôtel de Bausset, Hôtel des Royalistes), the old balconies, doors and dor knockers, the bread oven of the 18th century...

The heritage of Marcel Pagnol

Aubagne is the native city of Marcel Pagnol (1895-1974), writer, film-maker, academician, universally known and studied in schools by thousands of children.
Moreover, the immediate surroundings of Aubagne are staged in his "Souvenirs d’Enfance" (Memories of childhood) and are also the location of several of his film sets.

"I was born in the town of Aubagne,
beneath the Garlaban decked with goats,
in the days of the last goatherds.”
begins Marcel Pagnol's famous book "My Father’s Glory".
 

• Petit monde de Marcel Pagnol
Santons, soundtracks, videos depicting scenes from Marcel Pagnol's movies or life.

• Marcel Pagnol’s birthplace
It's in this 19th century mansion , located Cours Barthélemy, that Marcel Pagnol was born on February 28th, 1895. The 130 m² ground floor can be visited.

  1895
  creation of the famous clay cicada
 by Louis Sicard
 and birth of Marcel Pagnol.

The art of clay

In this clay art land, santon-makers and ceramists are kings.  Their workshops are opened for you, ther creations are shaped and modeled in front of you :  santons, figurines, unique pieces of art, dishes, Earthenware, decorations…

Meet them and discover a rich history where earth meets fire.
The workshops are either opened for visits or visitable upon appointment. For more details on opening hours and days of the workshops, consult our brochure: "Céramistes et Santonniers en Pays d'Aubagne et de l'Étoile".

Aubagne headquarter of the Foreign Legion

Since 1962, Aubagne is hosting the headquarters of this well-known elite corps. The Museum of the Foreign Legion shows various collections: memories from the founders of the Legion, paintings, portraits, objects, weapons, settings...

Pays d'Aubagne et de l'Etoile Intermunicipal Tourist Office

Contact details:
8, cours Barthélemy - 13400 Aubagne
Tel: +33 (0)4 42 03 49 98
E-mail : accueil@tourisme-paysdaubagne.fr

Opening hours:
• from November to March* :
   - Monday to saturday from 9 am to 12.30 and 2 pm to 5.30 (during school time, on Saturdays : opened only from 9.00 to 12.30),
   - On Thursdays opening time at 10 am,
   - Closing time at 4.00 pm on december 24th and 31st, 
   - Closed on sundays, bank holidays and on december 26th.
• from April to June* , and in September and October* :
   - Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 12.30 and 2 pm to 6 pm,
   - On Thursdays opening time at 10 am,
   - Closed on sundays and on bank holidays,
• in July and August* :
   - Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 12.30 and 2 pm to 6.30 pm,
   - On Sundays and bank holidays from 10 am to 12.30.
 *subject to modification

To learn more about the History of Aubagne, contact the members of the association "Les Amis du Vieil Aubagne".
An office is held by the association members on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10.00 to 12.00 a.m. :
"Four à pain"
rue Torte - 13400 Aubagne