Discovering Bouches-du-Rhône (Department 13)

Introduction

Bouches-du-Rhône (Department 13) is located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of south-eastern France. Stretching from the Mediterranean coastline to the rolling landscapes of inland Provence, it is home to France's second-largest city, picturesque fishing ports, renowned vineyards and unique natural landscapes such as the Camargue and the Alpilles.

The department offers an attractive mix of vibrant city living, coastal relaxation and traditional Provençal villages. Whether you're considering moving to France, retiring in Bouches-du-Rhône, purchasing a second home or starting a business, the department combines excellent infrastructure with a rich cultural heritage and a Mediterranean lifestyle that appeals to people from around the world.

At a Glance

Feature	Information
Region	Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Historic name	Provence
Department number	13
Department capital	Marseille
Largest towns	Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, Arles, Martigues, Aubagne, Salon-de-Provence, Istres
Population	Approximately 2.1 million
Area	Around 5,100 km²
Climate	Mediterranean with hot summers and mild winters
Best suited for	Professionals, retirees, entrepreneurs, families, second-home owners
Is a car recommended?	Yes, although city residents can manage without one
English-speaking community	Large in coastal areas, Aix-en-Provence and Marseille
Lifestyle summary	Mediterranean living combining city life, coastline, culture and countryside

Why Choose Bouches-du-Rhône?

Bouches-du-Rhône offers one of the most diverse lifestyles in France. It combines cosmopolitan cities, peaceful villages, beautiful beaches, protected natural areas and excellent transport links.

Lifestyle

Life revolves around outdoor living. Café terraces, local markets, beaches and village squares are central to everyday life. The Mediterranean climate allows residents to enjoy outdoor activities for much of the year.

Community

The department has one of the largest international communities in southern France. English-speaking residents can be found throughout Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, Cassis and surrounding villages, making integration easier while still encouraging newcomers to learn French.

Scenery

The scenery varies enormously, including:

• Mediterranean coastline

• Calanques National Park

• Lavender fields nearby

• Olive groves

• Vineyards

• Salt marshes

• Flamingo-filled wetlands

• Limestone mountains

• Historic villages

Few French departments offer such varied landscapes within short driving distances.

Accessibility

Accessibility is one of the department's strongest advantages.

Residents benefit from:

• Marseille Provence International Airport

• High-speed TGV rail services

• Excellent motorway network

• International ferry connections

• Easy access to Italy and Spain

Paris can be reached by TGV in around three hours.

Food

Food lovers are particularly well served.

Regional favourites include:

• Bouillabaisse

• Fresh seafood

• Provençal vegetables

• Olive oil

• Goat's cheese

• Tapenade

• Local wines

• Rosé from nearby vineyards

Weekly food markets are an important part of local life.

Culture

The department has exceptional cultural richness.

Highlights include:

• Roman heritage in Arles

• Museums in Marseille

• Cézanne's legacy in Aix-en-Provence

• Music festivals

• Opera

• Traditional Provençal celebrations

• Contemporary arts

Property

Property choices are extensive.

Options include:

• City apartments

• Coastal villas

• Village houses

• Farmhouses (mas)

• Modern family homes

• Luxury waterfront properties

Prices vary considerably, with coastal hotspots commanding premium values while inland areas often offer better affordability.

Pace of Life

Life can be as busy or as relaxed as you choose.

Marseille offers a fast-paced urban environment, while villages throughout the Alpilles and western Provence enjoy a much slower rhythm centred around local markets and cafés.

Is It Right For You?

Lifestyle	Rating	Explanation
Retirees	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Excellent healthcare, sunshine, activities and transport make it highly attractive.
Families	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Strong education options, sports facilities and employment opportunities.
Second-home owners	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Excellent transport links and year-round appeal.
Entrepreneurs	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Large economy, tourism, technology and international business opportunities.
Remote workers	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	Excellent internet in most areas, although rural villages can vary.
Outdoor lifestyle	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Beaches, hiking, cycling, sailing and nature reserves nearby.
City lifestyle	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Marseille and Aix-en-Provence offer vibrant urban living.

Popular Places to Live

Marseille

Description

France's second-largest city and the economic heart of southern France.

Ideal for

• Professionals

• Entrepreneurs

• Students

• City lovers

Advantages

• Excellent transport

• Diverse employment

• International airport

• Rich culture

• Waterfront living

Things to consider

Traffic, busy city life and neighbourhoods vary significantly.

Aix-en-Provence

Description

An elegant university city known for fountains, cafés and architecture.

Ideal for

• Retirees

• Families

• Professionals

• Remote workers

Advantages

• Beautiful historic centre

• Excellent restaurants

• Strong international community

• Cultural events

Things to consider

Higher property prices.

Cassis

Description

A charming fishing port famous for its colourful harbour and access to the Calanques.

Ideal for

• Second-home owners

• Retirees

Advantages

• Beautiful coastline

• Relaxed atmosphere

• Excellent restaurants

Things to consider

Tourism significantly increases during summer.

Arles

Description

Historic Roman city with strong artistic heritage and gateway to the Camargue.

Ideal for

• History lovers

• Artists

• Retirees

Advantages

• UNESCO heritage

• Cultural festivals

• More affordable property than the coast

Things to consider

Very hot summers.

Salon-de-Provence

Description

Traditional Provençal town with a lively local community.

Ideal for

• Families

• Retirees

Advantages

• Central location

• Good shopping

• Lower property prices than coastal towns

Things to consider

Less international than Aix.

Martigues

Description

Often called the "Venice of Provence" because of its canals.

Ideal for

• Families

• Coastal living

Advantages

• Attractive waterfront

• Good value

• Close to Marseille

Things to consider

Industrial areas nearby.

Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

Description

One of Provence's most desirable villages.

Ideal for

• Retirees

• Luxury second homes

Advantages

• Beautiful surroundings

• Excellent restaurants

• Provençal charm

Things to consider

Premium property market.

Cost of Living

Bouches-du-Rhône is generally more expensive than many inland French departments but offers excellent amenities and employment opportunities.

Property affordability

• Marseille offers a wide range of prices depending on the district.

• Coastal towns are among the most expensive.

• Inland towns often provide better value.

• Village properties remain attractive but increasingly sought after.

Shopping

Supermarkets are plentiful, while weekly markets provide fresh local produce. Everyday shopping costs are broadly comparable with other parts of southern France.

Utilities

Summer air conditioning may increase electricity usage, while mild winters often reduce heating costs compared with northern France.

Eating out

Dining ranges from affordable cafés to Michelin-starred restaurants. Excellent value can often be found away from major tourist areas.

General value for money

Although housing costs may be higher, residents benefit from excellent healthcare, transport, culture and employment opportunities.

Healthcare

Healthcare provision is among the strongest in France.

Main hospitals

Major hospitals include:

• Marseille University Hospital (AP-HM)

• Hôpital Nord

• Hôpital de la Timone

• Aix-en-Provence Hospital

• Arles Hospital Centre

Healthcare availability

Medical services are excellent throughout urban areas.

Access to specialists

Marseille is one of France's leading centres for specialist medicine, making referrals relatively straightforward.

Pharmacies

Pharmacies are widely available in towns and villages, with emergency services provided outside normal hours through duty pharmacies.

General healthcare considerations

Finding a permanent GP can sometimes take time in popular areas, although healthcare standards remain exceptionally high.

Education

Education options are extensive.

Schools

Both public and private schools are available throughout the department.

Colleges

The department has numerous collèges and lycées offering academic and vocational education.

International options

Several bilingual and international schools operate around Marseille and Aix-en-Provence, making the area attractive for expatriate families.

Language schools

French language schools are widely available, particularly in Marseille and Aix-en-Provence, with courses suitable for beginners through to advanced learners.

Getting Around

Airports

Marseille Provence Airport provides extensive domestic and international connections.

Rail

Excellent TGV services connect Marseille and Aix-en-Provence with Paris, Lyon, Nice and beyond.

Roads

Motorways connect the department efficiently with the rest of France, Italy and Spain.

Public transport

Marseille has metro, tram and bus networks, while regional buses connect many towns and villages.

Is a car recommended?

Yes. A car offers much greater flexibility outside the larger cities, particularly for exploring villages, beaches and rural areas.

Weekly Markets

Town	Main Market Day
Marseille	Daily markets (Noailles particularly popular)
Aix-en-Provence	Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
Arles	Wednesday and Saturday
Salon-de-Provence	Wednesday
Cassis	Wednesday and Friday
Martigues	Thursday and Sunday
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence	Wednesday
Aubagne	Saturday

Local Food & Drink

The department is famous for:

• Bouillabaisse

• Aioli

• Tapenade

• Ratatouille

• Fresh Mediterranean seafood

• Provençal herbs

• Olive oil

• Goat's cheese

• Calissons (Aix speciality)

• Navettes biscuits (Marseille)

• Rosé wines

• Côtes de Provence wines

• Pastis

• Local olives

• Seasonal fruit and vegetables

Things to Do

There is no shortage of activities throughout the year.

Historic sites

• Roman Amphitheatre of Arles

• Château d'If

• Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde

• Palais Longchamp

• Ancient villages

Outdoor activities

• Hiking

• Cycling

• Sailing

• Kayaking

• Paddleboarding

• Rock climbing

• Horse riding

Museums

• MuCEM

• Musée Granet

• Fondation Van Gogh

• Numerous local museums

Festivals

• Rencontres d'Arles Photography Festival

• Marseille cultural festivals

• Music festivals

• Local Provençal fêtes

Nature

• Calanques National Park

• Camargue Regional Nature Park

• Alpilles Regional Natural Park

Family attractions

• Beaches

• Wildlife parks

• Boat trips

• Aquariums

• Adventure parks

• Water sports

Good to Know Before You Move

Language

While English is spoken in many tourist and international settings, learning French will greatly enhance everyday life and help with administration.

Rural living

Although the department includes major cities, many inland communities retain a traditional Provençal way of life where local services may have more limited opening hours.

Internet

High-speed broadband and fibre are widely available in urban and suburban areas, with ongoing improvements extending coverage to smaller communities.

Seasonal tourism

Popular coastal destinations can become very busy during the summer months, bringing increased traffic and higher demand for accommodation and restaurants.

Climate

Expect long, hot, dry summers and mild winters. The Mistral wind can be strong at certain times of the year and is a distinctive feature of the local climate.

Community life

Markets, festivals, sporting clubs and local associations provide excellent opportunities to meet people and become part of the community.

Useful Biz Où? Guides

Depending on your plans, these guides may also be helpful:

• Buying a Home in France

• Retiring to France

• Second Home in France

• Starting a Business in France

• Healthcare in France

• Tax in France

• Getting Married in France

Find Trusted English-Speaking Businesses

Whether you're living in Bouches-du-Rhône, moving to Bouches-du-Rhône, retiring in Bouches-du-Rhône or buying a holiday home, having reliable local support makes settling in much easier.

Biz Où? helps you connect with trusted English-speaking businesses across France, including professionals offering services such as property support, legal and financial advice, healthcare, trades, home maintenance, insurance, tourism and everyday living. Every listed business is carefully checked to help you find reputable services with confidence, making it easier to build your new life in Department 13.