MARTIGUES

town, Bouches-du-Rhne dpartement, Provence-Alpes-Cte-d'Azur rgion, southeastern France, northwest of Marseille. The town is at the eastern end of the Canal de Caronte, which connects the tang de Berre, a salt lagoon, to the Mediterranean Sea. Probably the site of the Roman camp Maritima Avaticorum, it was founded (1232) by Ramon Berenguer IV, count of Provence. It has three museums and several old churches, including Saint-Louis (14th century), Saint-Gens (17th century), and the Annunciade Chapel. A fishing port and summer resort frequented by artists, Martigues also has oil refineries and fish-processing plants. Charles Maurras (18681952), leader of the extreme right-wing Action Franaise, was born there. Pop. (1990) 42,922.