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Calanques National Park

Avenue des Calanques, Cassis, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Description

The Calanques National Park extends immediately south of Marseille up to Cassis and La Ciotat. It includes well-known natural features such as the Sormiou, Morgiou, Port-Miou, Sugiton Calanques, and Cosquer Cave. A calanque is a narrow and steep-walled inlet generally occurring within karstic coastlines (limestone or dolomite) along the Mediterranean.

Access & Transport

The calanques are located 10-15km south of Marseille and there are 3 ways to visit them: 1) Car + park + hike, but some car access is closed during the summer and parking spaces are limited 2) Bus from the city center + hike 3) Boat trips from the Vieux Port We suggest referring to the following web page: https://www.marseille-tourisme.com/decouvrez-marseille/calanques-plages-et-nature/les-calanques-de-marseille/comment-acceder-aux-calanques/

Instructions & Recommendations

Make sure to check the road status before you head to your selected Calanques and wear proper walking shoes as well as your sun protection gear, swim attire if that is part of the plan, and some water.

Meta review

The area is heavily featured in travel magazines and very famous in France for having some of the finest coastline. Online reviews are also excellent with visitors enjoying the gorgeous scenery and clear waters, either hiking or from a boat. The main drawback is the scarcity of parking which is a real issue during local school holidays and on weekends. There are also some advice relating to wearing proper shoes, be ready for cold water, and some comments about signposting having significant room for improvement.

Environmental & Social

Green activity Helps keep residential development at bay and preserve the biodiversity of the area

Conclusion

The calanques of Marseille and Cassis will reward any visitor with beautiful views and crystal-clear waters. It really is another world, only a few kms from Marseille, and should be on the itinerary of any traveller transiting through the region.

Key positive

Stunning coastline

Nice change from Marseille's urban attractions

Key negative

Logistically a little cumbersome to reach during the summer

Suitability

Hiking, it is not accessible to visitors with reduced mobility and families with children younger than 6yrs old may find it a little challenging. Boats can be a viable alternative in either scenario

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

June 2024

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit

av. transport time:0h 40m

est. visit time:4h

Sunlight based

Sunrise / early morningOk

MorningOk

Lunch timeOk

AfternoonOk

Sunset / eveningOk

Night – bef. midnightNo

Night – aft. midnightNo

Pricing
Free

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