Take a day trip to one of the most stunning sights the Marseillecoastline has to offer, the Calanques National Park. These soaring limestonecliffs provide an intense visual experience that has inspired generations ofpoets and painters. Take a boat tour, explore the cliff-top hiking paths or tryboth and get the full feel of this natural wonder.
The Calanques were designated a national park in 2012, owing to their uniquenatural beauty and support of rare habitats. Explore this park that stretches20 kilometres (12 miles) along the coast between southern Marseille and thetown of Cassis.
Pick from one of many ways to enjoy the Calanques. Take a seat on theBlue Coast trip from Marseille to enjoy passing through tunnels and toweringrail bridges that are framed by the stunning limestone landscapes.Alternatively, view the cracked cliff face from below, with a boat tour fromMarseille’s Vieux Port.
Get to some of the most popular calanques with a hired car. The Sormiouand Morgiou cliff tops are home to breath-taking lookouts accessible fromnearby parking lots. Take a lunch break at Sormiou, which features a small harbourwith a beach and restaurants. Morgiou provides opportunities for swimming upclose to the cliffs.
For a satisfying challenge, strap on your hiking boots. An extensivenetwork of marked trails provide days worth of walking and pass by hundreds of thearea’s animal and plant species. Keep a keen eye out for some more skittishinhabitants, including foxes and rabbits. Watch the waters for turtles,dolphins and seabirds.
Don’t forget to bring extra water supplies for walking, and avoid windydays on open cliff tops. Overcast weather is not necessarily a bad thing alongthe calanques, as the white clouds amplify their photogenic qualities andcrowds are often smaller. Be advised the Calanques National Park may be closedduring the hottest summer months due to the risk of fire.
Take at least a day to fully explore the calanques, including travel toand from the cliffs.
