The Calanques

The Calanques are a national park of steep white limestone cliffs plunging into the Mediterranean between Marseille and Cassis, cut with narrow fjord-like inlets that shelter hidden coves of dazzling turquoise water. Reached on foot along rugged clifftop trails or by boat from the towns, they are a wild, beautiful stretch of the southern coast.

History

The Comité de défense des Calanques was set up in 1923 to stop industrial development at En-Vau. In 1999 a public interest group was founded to prepare a national park, its first draft followed eleven years later and the third was approved in 2011, and the park was created by decree on 18 April 2012, covering 520 km², of which 85 km² is land, between Marseille, Cassis and La Ciotat, including the calanques of Sormiou, Morgiou, Port-Miou, Sugiton and En-Vau and the Cosquer Cave (Wikipedia, Calanques National Park).

The landscape

• Calanque d'En-Vau - the most beautiful cove, with white cliffs and turquoise water.
• The clifftop trails - the rugged hikes between Marseille and Cassis.
• Boat trips - the excursions along the coves from Cassis and Marseille.
• The white cliffs - the limestone walls plunging into the sea.

When to go

Late spring and early autumn for mild hiking weather and swimming; summer is very hot and, in high fire-risk periods, the trails can be closed. Boats run in the warm months.

What to expect

Reaching the best coves on foot is a real hike over rough, steep terrain in the heat, so bring water and good shoes. In summer, high fire risk closes the trails on some days, so check ahead. Boat trips are the easier alternative but do not land in most coves.

Nearby

Cassis and Marseille are at each end; the Provence coast and wine country spread around.

Key facts