Cap Canaille is one of the highest maritime cliffs in France. Standing 400 metres high, it dominates the bay of Cassis, a little paradise next to Marseille. This enormous rock separates Cassis and La Ciotat, and has a road leading from one town to the other. As well as being a sight to behold, the route des crêtes is winding and pleasant, and is considered by many motorcyclists to be one of the most beautiful roads in the region. To enjoy this little adventure, you have a choice. You can go for a ride and park your car in one of the many free car parks, take your vehicle and stop at viewpoint after viewpoint, or hire a motorbike, or a Mehari for example, to make this route an unforgettable experience!
In 2019, La Ciotat joined the club of the world's most beautiful bays. The town grew from the 15th century onwards thanks to maritime trade. Many families from Genoa in Italy settled here.
Today, La Ciotat is a tourist and industrial town with many historic monuments. Nestling on the border between the Bouches-du-Rhône and Var departments, it attracts many tourists thanks to its idyllic setting just a stone's throw from nature.
💡 It was on these cliffs that the film "Sur un arbre perché", starring Louis de Funès, was shot.
The Route des Crêtes is the D141, which crosses Cap Canaille at Cassis, at the foot of the spectacular Soubeyranes cliffs. These cliffs are the highest maritime cliffs in France and the 4th highest in Europe.
The route is around 15 km long.
The highest point on Cap Canaille is 364 metres high, around the middle of the route. The average height along the route is around 300 metres.
By car, the journey from the Gulf of La Ciotat to the Gulf of Cassis takes around 1 hour 30 minutes.
Cassis
We recommend starting from La Ciotat and heading towards Cassis. In this direction, you'll arrive at the prettiest panoramic view towards the end of your tour, as they say: the best for last!
Don't hesitate to take a dip in the Figuerolles cove before leaving La Ciotat.
From the lookout point on the Route des Crêtes, you can admire a panoramic view of the bay of Cassis, the calanques of Marseille and even the Riou archipelago in the harbour of Marseille, in the distance. From up there, you can appreciate the beauty of the Mediterranean coastline.
When crossing the Route des Crêtes, you can choose your favourite vehicle.
For example, you can discover this magnificent route in a Méhari, the typical car of Marseille, with or without a driver.
We recommend Azur Méhari Tours for Méhari hire. More information on their website.
For a vespa scooter, you can go to Calank scoot, which has a wide choice of scooters. Find all the information you need on their website.
""We hired a chauffeur-driven Mehari for this tour, and it was magical! We took some great photos."
Sports enthusiasts can be brave and enjoy the route des crêtes by bike. Be careful, it's a climb!
A number of hiking trails and hill walks are scattered around the route des crêtes.
You can also set off from La Ciotat for a hike that loops around Cap Canaille. The hike lasts between 4 hours 30 minutes and 5 hours. The gradient is around 460 metres, making it a difficult walk.
You can find the exact route of this hike onthe Visorando website.
The GR98, which then joins the GR9 linking Saint-Tropez and the Côte d'Azur, passes just behind Cap Canaille.
Visit the Grandes Randonnées de France website to find out more about the itinerary.
We have a wide choice of scooters. Find all the information you need on their website.
🎆 If you're in Cassis in August, check out the fireworks display on 15 August on the route des crêtes. An unforgettable spectacle guaranteed!
Cassis
The Bec de l'Aigle semaphore offers a magnificent view of the horizon. If the road to get there is closed, you can leave your car at the semaphore car park and walk 600 metres to get there. From there, you can admire the panoramic view over the bay of La Ciotat.
There are around fifty climbing routes on the Cassis cliffs. Enthusiasts describe the routes on Cap Canaille as unusual, varied and often confusing, so we advise you to follow the advice of a professional before taking the plunge.
In the evening, the cliffs face the sun, making them a wonderful place to watch the sunset.
A multitude of car parks line the Route des Crêtes, allowing visitors to admire the view. All car parks are free.
Due to its altitude, the Route des Crêtes is closed in the event of strong winds.
The best time to visit this route is from May to September.
