Our5 essentials

A life-sized show

The reputation of these limestone cliffs, penetrating the turquoise Mediterranean waters, is long-established. Known worldwide for the beauty of their scenery, the Calanques (rocky inlets) are one of the most remarkable natural sites in France. There are multiple ways to discover this amazing biodiversity.

By sea, we recommend you hire a kayak: it is the perfect way to access the most isolated picturesque creeks. With an experienced guide, go off to explore these magnificent aquatic panoramas: the L’Oule cave, the L’Eissadon fault and the L’en Vau beach. If you are looking to hire a kayak, take a detour via Destination Calanques, dropping in to say hello to Pilou.

A balcony over the sea

At more than 500 metres high, overlook the rocks and take this winding panoramic footpath, between La Ciotat and Cassis. Are you ready for a walk which shows off the spectacular view?!

For hiking novices, we recommend that you purchase the IGN map (information and map for rural hikes), on sale at the Cassis tourist office. Fully detailed, it enables you to identify the difficult routes and the steep paths. Do not delay in doing this walk very early in the morning, as you will avoid the crowds of holidaymakers and the blazing sun. Moreover, do not forget to take water, as there is no refreshment area on the route.

A haven of peace

In taking a detour off the footpath, you will find yourself face-to-face with the loveliest beach of the calanques. Surrounded by limestone cliffs, its turquoise and crystalline waters will send your imagination running wild in more ways than one! Its pebble beach, completely sheltered from the Mistral winds, offers you long hours of idleness within this heavenly scenery. So as to make the most of the tranquillity of the site and of the hours of sunshine of the calanques, we recommend you come at the beginning of the morning, as in the afternoon the beach is quickly in the shade owing to the surrounding cliffs.

Attention though, this site is solely accessible on foot: from Port Miou, you should allow 1 hour 20 minutes on foot, and 1 hour from the Col de la Gardiole mountain pass.

An ancient vineyard

Just a few steps from the port of Cassis, discover Divino, an authentic wine bar at the heart of a little alleyway. On the menu, Cassis wine-tasting accompanied with delicious tapas: tartines truffée (bread garnished with truffles), cooked meat platter, tapenade verte (green olives, garlic, anchovies and olive oil dip), local cheese…The perfect spot for an apéritif after a day’s walking in the calanques!

After this gourmet interlude, we recommend that you have an after-dinner stroll in the port. As the sun goes down, the light reflecting off the sea releases a magical atmosphere.

Masks! Get set! Dive!

Discover the aquatic aspect of these imposing cliffs within the Parc Naturel des Calanques (a protected land and marine area). During your underwater adventure, you will be able to admire the exceptional quality of the marine depths and the amazing biodiversity located in these emerald-coloured waters: groupers, barracudas, sunfish…Open your eyes wide in this remarkable aquatic scenery!

If you are looking for a diving centre, go to Cassis Calanques Plongée. Perfectly situated in the port and with state-of-the-art equipment, it is the ideal club for your initiation in underwater activities. Warm atmosphere guaranteed!

The small +

Learn all you need to know

In the summer season (1st June - 30th September), the regulations for accessing the Calanques are very strict. In the case of a strong swell, the hiking pathways are closed to the general public. For more information, go to the website of the Bouches du Rhône prefecture.

The Calanques de Cassis it’s:

20kilometresof marked paths
4,000hectaresof greenery
200protectedspecies

And if this were your nextBest holiday memory?