Iodized hiking in the calanques

The calanques are a veritable playground for sports enthusiasts and lovers of the great outdoors. Most visitors go there for the famous diptych of hiking the limestone paths and swimming in the turquoise creeks. But Marseille's calanques are also famous for their climbing routes, which promise incredible panoramic views over the Mediterranean. The rocky waters, meanwhile, are world-renowned for their underwater flora and fauna, attracting divers by the thousands. At the surface, a trip in a boat, kayak or even a stand-up paddle offers unparalleled views of the National Park.

The famous calanque of En-Vau

The Calanque d'En-Vau is often one of the first to come to mind when you think of Marseille's calanques. And for good reason, it's undoubtedly one of the most beautiful! Nestling between two cliffs, water in a thousand shades of blue laps the white sand of a small cove that looks almost like paradise. Many people want to take advantage of this idyllic setting, so the Calanque d'En-Vau is often crowded in summer, so make sure you visit in mid-season.

The Port-Miou cove, easily accessible

Not far from Cassis, the calanque of Port-Miou is one of a kind. The limestone cliffs plunge down towards a typical little port - Port Miou is a natural shelter for ships - in a picture that is as unusual as it is magnificent. In the heart of this verdant pine forest, freshwater springs end their course in turquoise water, earning it the nickname of the Provençal fjord. It is also the starting point for numerous hiking trails through the calanques.

The Port-Pin cove, shaded by conifers

The Calanque de Port-Pin is a small natural harbour that owes its name to the many Aleppo pines that grow there, some even surviving balanced on the rock! Wedged between two cliffs, it is officially Marseille's last calanque, with Port-Miou belonging to Cassis. Quite popular, you have to get up early to hope for a spot on the beach, which mixes sand and pebbles, and enjoy the crystal-clear waters in the shade of the pine trees in complete peace and quiet.

Angel's leap into the Sugiton cove

The Calanque de Sugiton is actually made up of two small coves lined with pebbles and sandwiched between cliffs lined with pine trees and aromatic plants. At its heart, a large rock emerges from the sea, nicknamed the Torpedo Boat because of its resemblance to a warship. At around twenty metres high, daring young Marseillais like to dive into the cool water from its summit. Many simply prefer to watch from the beach.

The Calanque de Sormiou, the largest cove

There are no small coves here - the Calanque de Sormiou is very wide. With its white sandy beach, turquoise waters and lifeguards on duty to supervise swimming, it's a very popular cove with families. There's also a restaurant serving seafood and around a hundred typical cabanons that are still inhabited in the summer months. Although a little less wild than its neighbours, the Calanque de Sormiou is superb and has nothing to envy them.