Over 2,000 years ago (2nd century BC), when the area was first occupied, the sea level was as high as where the train station stands today.
The small port provided Greek and Roman boats with shelter from storms and a place to load and transport blocks of pink limestone from the quarries in La Couronne and Carro which helped to build the city of Massalia, which we know today as Marseille.
Carry-le-Rouet became an independent community on 15 July 1584. Since then, the town's history has followed the history of the seigniories, the Jarentes and Deytres-Vaucluse families who shaped life in Carry-le-Rouet for two centuries.
In the early 20th century, the village, dominated by its old castle, had a population of 300. The successors to the wealthy traders from Marseille were the first to appreciate the calm and peaceful lifestyle of Carry-le-Rouet.
The Marseille-Miramas railway, built between 1911 and 1915, developed the town and attracted new residents (700 in 1920).
In 1923, Carry-le-Rouet and Sausset-les-Pins separated. Carry-le-Rouet's population dropped to 400 residents.
Thanks to steam boats and the railway, the population grew to 800 by 1940.
Since 15 October 1945, when the railway was inaugurated, the commune has expanded continuously and the population has increased year on year drawn by its seaside location, fantastic setting and geographic location.
Carry-le-Rouet's châteaux
The town had two châteaux until 1964.
Châteaux Jarente-Pressaq, which is now the Villa Arena Hotel, was also the former site of the village chapel.
Château Jourde, in the town centre, was built across from Château Jarente-Pressaq and has beautiful grounds planted with rare species.
At the death of its owner, chaplain Philippe Jourde, it was transformed into the hotel's restaurant at the edge of the port with its sand beach.
It was demolished in the 1960s and replaced by a casino, the tower and the Floralies buildings.
