Bouches-du-Rhône

Living in Bouches-du-Rhône

What cities are in Bouches-du-Rhône? The capital of the area is Marseille, the second biggest in France and a grand metropolitan port city known for history, as well as its North African influences. Dotted with museums, such as the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations and excellent international restaurants, it has something for everyone. One of the of the most atmospheric areas of the city is the Old Port where you can still see the fishermen coming in each morning to unload their catch.

But it’s not all about city life here, the department is also home to two important natural parks - Calanques National Park and Camargue Regional Park, which has been designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Calanques lies just south of Marseille and comprises a spectacular rugged coastline, punctuated by idyllic bays and inlets, while Camargue on the other side lies at the mouth of the River Rhône and is one of the most important wetlands in Europe, home to everything from flamingos to wild horses.

Another important centre of Bouches-du-Rhône is Aix-en-Provence, once of the best places to live in Bouches-du-Rhône. The town is popular with expats because of its history, culture and striking hilltop location. Known as the City of a Thousand Fountains, it was loved by artists from Cézanne to Picasso and today is filled with many art galleries, upmarket boutiques, graceful 18th century architecture and local markets.

To the west and just above Camargue sits Arles, along the Rhône River, another great place to buy a property. Surprisingly, Arles is home to the most Roman monuments after Rome itself, including old city walls, baths and an amphitheatre. If you’re looking for somewhere quieter and more laidback, you could base yourself in La Ciotat or Aubagne. La Ciotat is an old fishing village dotted with pretty cafes and home to the oldest cinema in the world, while Aubagne is a Provençal market town. Life in this department would suit everyone from families and retirees to young couples.

Cost of living in Bouches-du-Rhône

The cost of living in Bouches-du-Rhône varies quite a bit, depending on where you choose to live. It’s not surprising that housing prices and the cost of living are slightly higher on the coast and the popular tourist towns than they are inland. If you choose Marseille, according to cost of living website Expatistan, a family of four would need an average of €3,549 per month including rent, while a single person would need an average of €1,694 per month. 

Marseille is more expensive than 75% of cities in France but is still cheaper than 51% of cities in Western Europe. Surprisingly, although Aix-en-Provence is smaller than Marseille, it’s actually more expensive due to its popularity. Comparison website Numbeo states that consumer prices are 2.88% higher in Aix-en-Provence than in Marseille. Restaurants and rents are both higher here, but groceries are 9.78% cheaper. Arles on the other hand is 3% cheaper than the national French average, so could be a more affordable option for those wanting to move to the area.

Climate/air quality

Bouches-du-Rhône has a typical Mediterranean climate with hot summers, mild winters, warm springs and cool, wet autumns. January is the coldest month of the year with an average of 7°C, while July is the hottest month with an average of 25°C. October is the wettest month, July the driest and April the windiest. Its great climate is one of the many reasons that northern Europeans choose to move to the region, with 300 hours of sunshine per year and proper summers where you can enjoy almost daily beach visits. It also means it’s much easier to enjoy an outdoor lifestyle, with great conditions to hike or rock climb inland and try out water sports along the coast.

City and urban areas unsurprisingly have poorer air quality than more rural areas and those closer to natural parks. The whole department exceeded the World Health Organisation guidelines for particle pollution in 2020, but since then a concerted effort has made to improve it. Today, the air quality is worse around large ports, airports and motorways, around Marseille, but a lot better up in the mountainous and countryside areas.

History/Culture

Bouches-du-Rhône was an important centre in the Roman empire, particularly the bustling harbour of Marseille, which was vital since before Julius Cesar’s conquest of Gaul, and Arles, which was first inhabited by the Greek-Phoenicians in the 6th century BC. Later, Arles became a leading city for the Romans in terms of culture and religion. The department was one of the original 83 departments created in France during the French Revolution in 1790. Marseille is one of the oldest cities in France, having been founded in 600BC by Greek sailors of Phocaea.

Both art and cuisine play a big part in the culture of living in Bouches-du-Rhône. As well as Cézanne and Picasso, the region inspired artist Van Gogh who painted several works in Arles, including his famous Stary Night. The department was also loved by everyone from singer Edith Piaf to writer Albert Camus. Today, you can see the importance art has had here from the various festivals including the International Festival of Lyric Art in Aix-en-Provence and Les Rencontres d’Arles photography festival.

Being located on the coast, seafood plays a big part in the foodie lifestyle of living in Bouches-du-Rhône. Bouillabaisse, a hearty fish stew is perhaps the most famous dish, created by fishermen from Marseille fishermen in the 18th century and now a gourmet French dish.