Oppidum de Saint-Blaise

About

The Oppidum de Saint-Blaise is a major archaeological site in the western Mediterranean, located on the territory of the French commune of Saint-Mitre-les-Remparts, near Fos-sur-Mer, in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. The site has been classified as historic monuments since 16 September 1943. Located at the northern end of the Castillon plateau, close to the sea, the pond of Berre and the Crau, between the ponds of Citis and Lavalduc, the oppidum is located in a majestic environment and most loaded with history of all Provence.

Salt from these ponds was probably the initial reason for its foundation. A Hellenistic enclosure strengthens the natural defences — large vertical cliffs — offered by the site. The oldest traces of human occupation date back to the fifth millennium BC.

On this Celto-ligure oppidum, the Etruscans created a counter in the 7th century and began the trade of salt collected on the spot. The city enjoyed great prosperity in Etruscan and Greek times. It then produced quality salt.

She was for a moment the competitor of Marseille...