Of course, there is the “couillon stroll”, a half-derogatory, half-affectionate nickname given to the tourist boat which gives a view of part of the coves, from the sea, to travelers who are in a hurry or not very mobile.
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But to discover the palette of grandiose landscapes, to be amazed by the scents of scrubland or to dream of the ballet of seabirds, you have to take your time. Put on hiking shoes, a mask or a harness, grab a paddle and face the elements. Here are our favorite activities.
Sea kayaking, Robinsonnades of dreams
Sneak around at the foot of the cliffs, enter a crevice in the rock and discover a cave... Obj.Images / OMTCM
Sneaking along the foot of the cliffs, penetrating a crevice in the rock and discovering a cave, paddling on shoals where the sea is transparent and above all setting out towards one of the wild islands of the park: sea kayaking reveals all the nooks and crannies of the coastline. Our favorite maritime hike? The crossing to the island of Riou (or even the tour for the more sporty) to observe the seabirds of this stone citadel rising from the water. Expect: shags, great cormorants, yellow-legged gulls and perhaps the peregrine falcon. The breath of adventure and more.
Raskas Kayak. Such. : 04 91 73 27 16. raskas-kayak.fr
From the end of March to the beginning of November, supervised sea kayaking trips, for all levels, accompanied by quality explanations about the natural environment. Many possible routes, adapted to the weather conditions. Tailor-made or in groups limited to 8 people. From €55 per half day.
The via cordata, towards the most secret corners
The via cordata? A hiking trail with abseiling, progression with equipment such as the rope bridge and rope walks (here, the Tour du Bec de Sormiou). AD OTLCM
The July 14 cave? An impressive underground maze bristling with stalagmites and stalactites, hidden in the bowels of the highest maritime cliffs in Europe, between Cassis and La Ciotat. If you are not a climber, you can get there by via cordata with abseiling, progression with apparatus such as the rope bridge and roped steps. From Marseille to La Ciotat, with the supervision of a guide-instructor, it is possible to discover around ten vertical spaces. A physical, sensational and contemplative activity, accessible to people in good physical condition and insensitive to vertigo.
William Vales. gv2012@gmail.com
All year round except in July-August and on rainy days, supervised outings for individuals or groups limited to 8 to 12 people depending on the itineraries. From €50 per person per day in a group.
Diving: underwater too, the scenery is magical
The Cosquer cave, a major site of semi-sunken cave art near Morgiou, is the most famous underwater treasure of the coves François Scorsonelli / FFESSM
The Cosquer cave, a major site of semi-sunken cave art near Morgiou, is the most famous underwater treasure of the coves, especially since the opening of its replica in Marseille in 2022. But the funds abound with others riches, accessible to divers: spectacular underwater architecture, sculpted with caves and canyons, precious corals such as gorgonians, red or yellow, the Posidonia herbarium, the brown grouper (still rare but preserved thanks to a moratorium) , wrecks… The creeks and their surroundings are home to nearly 70 diving sites. The conditions (except mistral days)? Clear water with a temperature between 13°C in winter and 22°C in summer.
Massilia Plongée (formerly Atoll Plongée). 31 Traverse Prat, 13008 Marseille. Such. : 04 91 72 18 14. atollplongee.com
From March 15 to November 15. Several possibilities from the boat trip, if you are independent and have your own equipment, to supervised diving. Price for a supervised dive with equipment rental: €91.
Climbing, the exhilaration of big walls
Beginners will not soon forget the long routes of the Bec de Sormiou (here) where you climb almost 150 meters above the immensity of blue. AD OTLCM
Gaston Rebuffat, one of the best mountaineers of his generation, third non-Chamoniard to have joined the prestigious Compagnie des guides de Chamonix, forged his vocation in the coves of Marseille. The Mecca of maritime climbing in France offers more than 3,000 routes, for all levels, on white limestone walls but also sandstone and ocher pudding. Cliffs plunging into the sea or slopes leaning over the scrubland, there is something for everyone. Seasoned climbers love the thrill of the ascent to the Castel Vieil plateau, near En-Vau, in a striking setting. Beginners will not soon forget the long routes of the Bec de Sormiou where you climb almost 150 meters above the immensity of blue.
Guides 13. Tel. : 06 64 81 71 29. guides-13.com
All year round, except on rainy days, supervised outings for individuals or groups limited to 6 people (2 for the main routes). From €45 per person for a half-day in a group.
Hiking, a big bowl of nature
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Nearly 140 kilometers of trails (including the GR51-98 which crosses the park from east to west), large landscapes sculpted in stone, intimate coves bathed in turquoise water... The coves are an Eden for hikers. Panoramic routes through the fragrant scrubland, with views of the near or distant sea, are the most popular. Between Marseille and Cassis, white escarpments chisel the coastline, interspersed here and there with valleys lined with scree, pines and holm oaks. After Cassis, Cape Canaille announces a change of scenery: up to La Ciotat, high cliffs rise from the sea, ocher and sovereign.
In practice:
bring the IGN Les calanques, Parc national, Marseille, Cassis, La Ciotat map, from the “Discovery of exceptional places, outdoor leisure” collection, more precise than the classic IGN maps. Also read: the TopoGuides
Les Calanques…on foot
, 8th edition (April 2023).
ON VIDEO –
Catching a fish in the creeks of Marseille will soon cost you a photo