You are here: Visit France > Regions of France> Provence > Bouches-du-Rhone > Calanques at Marseille

Calanques at Marseille

Hotels

Calanques at Marseille Car Hire

Cassis Hotels

 

(or enter new destination)

Check-in date

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

Check-out date

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

Search

Best Price Guaranteed
Reserve online, pay at the hotel.

Visit Calanques at Marseille

The Calanques are found along the coast to the south-east of Marseille, and are usually accessed from the attractive harbour town at Cassis..

One of the highlights of the coast of southern France, the calanques are a series of limestone cliffs, fjords and rocky promontories plunging into the Mediterranean, for about 20 km of coastline immediately to the south-east of Marseille. In places there are pine trees clinging to the gleaming rock,

Those around Cassis are the most accessible, while those near Sormiou, a little to the west, are perhaps the most dramatic.

There are several small beaches set among the rocks, with pine trees climbing the hill behind the beach, for example at En Vau and Port Pin, where you can swim between the cliffs - very dramatic!

In order from Cassis the calanques are: Port Miou (easily reached on foot from Cassis), Port Pin, En Vau, L'Oule, Devenson, L'Oeil de Verre, Sugiton and Morgiou.

One particularly stunning way to see the calanques is by taking a boat trip from Cassis along the coast. Tickets are available in the harbour - 13 euros to visit three calanques (45 minutes), 15 euros to visit 5 calanques (65 minutes) and 19 euros to visit eight calanques (90 minutes). Whichever you choose you won't be disappointed, as the little boat travels around the beautiful coastline with a new surprise around each corner.

The other option to explore is on foot by hiking along the coastline - this region really is a walker's paradise. There are also designated climbing areas in the calanques.

Note that because of fire risk, there are significant restrictions on access to the inland regions, especially during July and August.

Note - the underwater Cosquer cave at Morgiou contains some of the oldest cave paintings in the world - said to rival those at Lascaux.. Unfortunately the entrance is 35 metres under water and access is prohibited even if you do come equipped with diving equipment!

Marseille Calanques Photos (click any picture to visit)