Despite its status as the hometown of popular French novelist Marcel Pagnol, Aubagne, France is often mistakenly thought of as little more than a suburb of Marseille. Although the town has changed considerably as a result of industrialization, the town center is still quite charming and has retained the narrow circular streets that run along the former 14th century rampart.

Clay has been used in Aubagne for centuries, making it no surprise that the town is renowned for its ceramics, but on the whole it has escaped the tourist industry. This makes it a charming destination for a day trip by car when visiting Marseilles. The Church of Saint Sauveur at the top of town and the bread oven on Rue Torte are worth the drive, as is La Font de Mai-a substantial old farm that is dedicated to the traditional agricultural activities of the region and features trails that wind through the countryside above town.