Randonnée découverte colline de la Nerthe

It has several buildings: a pigsty, a henhouse, a vegetable garden, the dwelling and a wheat threshing floor.

The remains of two cement pillars framing a passageway. This is the entrance to the Domaine de Cossimont.

This is one of 24 chimneys on the Avignon-Marseille SNCF line, the tunnel of which runs under the Nerthe hills. Each chimney actually covers an access shaft that was used to dig the tunnel.

The ruined architecture is a nostalgic reminder of the working-class occupation of these hills. The current buildings stand on a huge estate whose origins date back to the 18th century. At the instigation of the Marquis de Marignane, a hunting lodge was built. No trace of this remains. The estate was developed at the beginning of the 20th century, following the division of the property of Pierre Sacoman, a tile manufacturer, in 1902. Then Société Coloniale des Chaux et Ciments de Portland acquired the site. Its director, André Lindenmeyer, is said to have lived there from 1913, and the estate is said to have supplied fruit and vegetables to the cement works workers. This is a unique example of a large-scale farm.

In the early 1950s, Mr Lindenmeyer made the buildings accessible to his employees, and a day-care centre was set up to the delight of the workers' children. For almost 25 years, the children of Estacia spent unforgettable holidays in this corner of paradise. A shuttle bus would leave from the bottom of the village and make several stops to pick up the children. It was like a long journey for them! In 1980, the site was no longer in use. The Lafarge company, which owned the entire estate as well as the "La Coloniale" installations (factories, cement works, administrative buildings scattered around the Riaux district) had the roof at Cossimont demolished, subject to a very high tax. The first demolitions took place, followed by abandonment.

The estate's buildings were built on three terraces. All the features of a wealthy farm can be seen: an avenue of plane trees, a large field, remnants of a garden and orchard. A long line of trees can be seen
Of course, it takes imagination to see it all! But the Cossimont estate remains intact in the collective memory of the people of Estaqué, and today it's a walk in the footsteps of childhood memories.

Here is the point with the isolated cypress tree and the narrow path that climbs up in front of you. On your right are the remains of a sheepfold. Follow the path up and then down to a DFCI track.

This is the highest point with a beautiful view over the harbour and the port of Marseille.

This is the starting point of a tiny path that drops off to the left of the anti-tank wall. On this last stretch of path, you will come across the remains of a bunker and you will also have a good view of the ruins of the Château de la Nerthe, which overlook the chapel of Notre-Dame de la Nerthe (la Galline).