The Calanques from Cassis to Marseille
On the communes of La Ciotat, Cassis and Marseille, an hour’s drive from the Presqu’île de Giens, the exceptional site of the Calanques awaits you. Nature has competed in ingenuity to offer the eye improbable shapes and charming coves.
Breathtaking landscapes
From the campsite near Cassis in Marseille: the Calanques.
They are like priceless, rare pearls. Daughters of the sea, sun and wind, Port Miou, Port Pin, En Vau, Loule, Devanson, Oeil de Verre and Sugiton proudly display the dazzling beauty of a generous and unique nature.
In Vau
Certainly the most famous of the Calanques. A tongue of sea penetrates the cliff amid the pine trees.
The Doigt de Dieu and the Petite Aiguille accentuate the site’s special character.
Port Miou
Port Miou, Cassis’ little sister. The first pearl you’ll encounter on your journey.
One of the most popular with walkers from Le Pailladou.
Port Pin
A sandy beach and a thicker plant cover have made it a favorite with sunbathers.
Very popular with yachtsmen too.
L’Oule
L’Oule, a small cove difficult to access by foot, but remarkably well served by the proximity of En Vau and Le Devenson.
Devenson
The vertiginous cliffs of the Devenson plunge into the green waters of the Calanque du Devenson. A great spectacle!
The Glass Eye
Nature’s astonishing peculiarity surprises us once again. L’Œil de verre reminds us that the mountain ranges conceal cavities that tell us about the history of mankind.
Sugiton
Sugiton had a long-standing reputation for being “sulphurous”, due to its regular frequentation by nudists, the precursors of a state of mind that is now widespread.
Morgiou
Morgiou, the providence of fishermen who shelter their boats from the vagaries of the weather. A quiet little port, certainly the least shy of our calanques.
For more information, visit the Cassis tourist office website.
Activities in the Calanques
Hiking
The best way to discover the Calanques is by hiking. Unforgettable! We recommend it for good walkers who are sure-footed and in good physical condition. There are several variants, but you’ll need to allow 12 hours for the walk, which can be quite strenuous. It may therefore be wise to take 2 days to enjoy this little paradise, which stretches over some 30 km.
Precautions for hiking :
- There are no water points on the course, so you’ll need to plan accordingly.
- Some passages between rocks can be tricky, especially with a backpack, so be careful.
Climbing
Climbers make no mistake: the calanques are packed with extraordinary routes renowned the world over.
The most popular equipped areas are La Candelle, the Devenson and en Vau cliffs and the Sormiou and Morgiou sectors.
Here again, you need to be very careful, as the Devenson area is particularly dangerous.
Calanques by the sea
From Marseille, and especially Cassis, several companies offer boat tours of the calanques. You can also disembark at the calanque d’en Vau.
Here are some links to these tours:
- Bleu Evasion, boat tour of the calanques from Marseille to Cassis, swimming and activities
- Les amis des calanques, boat tours from La Ciotat to Cassis and Marseille