The creeks... An almost obligatory stopover when you come to the region and to Cassis even more so since the town is located in the heart of the world-famous Calanques National Park. Classified, its vulnerability imposes a strict regulation which often forbids access in summer except on foot or by boat. The easiest way to visit, summer and winter, the main ones is to board one of the boats for a guided tour. Once on board, the view of Cap Canaille, the highest cliff in Europe, is exceptional, as are the various creeks, whose diaphanous cliff colour blends so well with the turquoise blue of the sea. A great idea to enjoy a Provencal getaway this summer.
Legendary Blackcurrant
The Calanque d'En-Vau is one of the most emblematic, one of the most beautiful for the turquoise colour of the water, its pebble beach, its trees clinging to the cliffs and its idyllic postcard panoramas. Despite its difficult access, the beach is crowded in the afternoon, so leave early in the morning to enjoy it (especially as it is shaded afterwards) and have a chance to park in Port-Miou. You come to swim in the crystal-clear, sheltered calm waters of En-Vau and go kayaking, ideal for exploring the creeks by the coast, which we recommend. Unusual: this beach is appreciated by wild boars who come to take a dip there and are not afraid of tourists when they are not very numerous
The Calanque de Port-Miou is the most accessible from Cassis. What distinguishes it from the others is its marina where magnificent sailboats line up and its length, as it goes deep inland. It was indeed stretched out over a kilometre and then becomes natural again as it approaches the sea. You can still see the traces of its quarry past where large blocks of white stone were extracted with dynamite, which made the beauty of the constructions of the region. They were exported since the 18th century on boats directly from this small port to Algiers, until 1981 (for its lime production). One can take the old route of the GR98-51 hiking trail, which is prettier but more slippery because the rocks have been polished by the visitors, or the new route is easier. Geological curiosity: before arriving in Port-Pin do not miss to make a detour to appreciate "the Blowhole" also called "Neptune's Nose". It is a tiny hole located above a cavity through which the noise and the breath of the air caused by the agitation of the waves escape.
Just as popular as the Port-Miou cove located between this one and the En-Vau cove, the Port-Pin cove is not very enclosed in the cliffs, open to the coast and bordered by a pine forest, as its name suggests, layered by small Provencal low walls, restanques. The landscapes are thus different from those of the high creeks, the palette of blues declined by the transparent water is fantastic, one feels like throwing oneself into it. We recommend this small beach of sand and pebbles for families, as it is easily accessible, but go there early in the morning, as it is crowded in summer ..
Finally, one of the jewels between Marseille and Cassis is undoubtedly the Cosquer cave. Situated at Cape Morgiou, this site is unique in the world. This underwater cave is indeed home to several dozen works painted and engraved about 27,000 and 19,000 years ago. Discovered in 1985 by a Cassidian diver, it took years to show the colourful paintings covering its walls: horses, sea birds, deer, felines, bison have remained in an exceptional state. Protected and for security reasons, it cannot be visited.
Marseille, between hiking and diving
Less known than those of Cassis, the creeks of Marseille are nevertheless more numerous and just as beautiful. Just after the Pointe Rouge and the Goudes, Marseilleveyre is the first creeks in the national park. Situated at the foot of the Marseilleveyre massif (which rises to 432 metres) and the Malvallon (which links the Col de la Selle to the sea), the mineral mountains overlooking the sea offer an exceptional panorama. A small paradise for swimmers, hikers and climbers in front of the Riou archipelago. You can reach it on foot after a short hour's walk, but you can enjoy a good cold drink at the bar-restaurant which is located there on arrival, not far from the huts on the square. Here, the coastal relief is more open than in the middle of the park surmounted by high cliffs, one can easily isolate oneself along the path if the sandy and pebble beach is too crowded. It is a classified natural site of a little less than a thousand hectares. No pine forest as on the side of Cassis, the vegetation is rather arid and the sun hits hard. There are many polished rocks and groves of aloe, prickly pears and succulents.
The Sormiou cove is one of the best known, most beautiful and widest in the region. It owes its success to its brilliant turquoise waters and its white sandy beach. The view from the heights is fantastic. It is visited by divers for its underwater beauties. There is a restaurant on site, a few cabins for rent and a supervised swimming area in the summer. It is therefore very crowded in the summer, especially by families who appreciate its infrastructure. To get there, bring good shoes and water, as the road is long under the sun.
Situated between the creeks of Sormiou and Sugiton, not far from the Grotte Bleue and the Grotte Cosquier, the calanque de Morgiou has appreciable infrastructures: a bar-restaurant, a small fishing port and poetic cabins. It is deep and enclosed in places, and there is a path on the right leading to the Cap de Morgiou. On the left is the small beach and the path leading to the Calanque de Sugiton. For the anecdote, the steps of the port were baptized "the Louis XIII staircase" when the king appeared here in 1622 to attend a fishing in the trap to catch tuna
The Sugiton cove is the last of the Puget massif coming from Marseille, and it is one of the most spectacular for the landscapes it offers, with large cliffs and its large boulders collapsed into the sea. It has two creeks with pebble beaches ideal for swimming, while the beach below the cliff, nicknamed the naturist beach, has been closed for a few years because the descent is unsafe. It can be reached on foot from Luminy via a magnificent belvedere to enjoy the view 500 metres above the sea. It is frequented by lovers of jumping and diving from the cliffs.
The creeks are also a paradise for hikers, especially from Luminy. Further north, the Estaque mountain range also offers beautiful walks along the Côte Bleue, in the footsteps of Cézanne, Braque or Renoir. Offshore, the archipelagos of Riou and Frioul proudly throne, formed by some fifteen islands and islets, including the famous Isle of Yew, home to the castle that inspired Alexandra Dumas in her Count of Monte Cristo.
La Ciotat, little-known creeks
On the side of La Ciotat, head towards the west of the town, behind the old merchant port, to take advantage of the creeks. The creeks of Mugel and Figuerolles are an enchantment. The water there is crystal clear, a little cold, but you will be rejuvenated. Unmissable, less crowded and just as delicious ... So, no more time to lose, towards the city of Marseille and its surroundings!
Smart info
When? The Calanques region, bathed by the Mediterranean climate, can be visited all year round
To go there. By plane, the nearest airport is located in Marignane, 25 km from Marseille. By train, Marseille has two train stations: Blancarde (for TER trains) and Saint-Charles, the TGV station, which serves most provincial towns. By road, you can choose between the N7 or the Autoroute du Soleil.
To get to Cassis, there are several possibilities: the D559, route de la Gineste, the A50 motorway from Marseille or Toulon or the TER from Marseille Saint-Charles (arrival at the SNCF railway station 3.5 km from the centre). A little further on, La Ciotat is located 31 kilometres east of Marseille.
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