A day’s walk in the Calanques

Preparations and access The Beginning...

One morning, bathed in the sunshine of Provence

a detailed map of the area,
our walking boots,
something to eat,
two litres of water and
and our best hats (a cap for me and a hat for my sweetheart)

we set off to explore this exceptional natural landscape: Les Calanques!

Accessible on foot from the centre of Cassis (about 35 minutes), the start of the hike in the Calanques National Park is on the GR 98 from Port- Miou.

As we approach the starting point, the light streams through the pine trees, creating a sparkling reflection of the sea!

The setting is idyllic and majestic! A real treat!

At the entrance to the national park lies the calanque of Port Miou, a true paradise for sailing enthusiasts. This harbour is home to over 500 of them! Each one more beautiful than the next, from ‘pirate-style’ to ‘modern’, there’s something for everyone!

Discover the Calanques

The Port-Miou Cove

We stopped for a moment to take a few photos and have a drink of water; it was really hot and we were right to protect our heads… We set off again, armed with our IGN map (it was a good thing I’d brought it, as the signposting was a bit unclear), and followed the red and white markings of the GR98…

The coastal path opens out onto a majestic panorama; the garrigue offers a bewitching and intoxicating spectacle: a veritable paradise of scents! Amidst the pine trees, the flowers and the salty, fragrant air, as you wind your way up and down through the calanques, you breathe it all in deeply!..!

The Calanque of Port-Pin

After a 40-minute walk along the stony paths amongst the Aleppo pines, we were rewarded with the sight of the Port Pin calanque right before our eyes! It’s a real picture-postcard view! It forms a cove with a beach, and the sea shimmers with crystal-clear turquoise reflections!

We settle down with our feet in the water, and I feel as though I’m in the Caribbean, but we’re actually in France, very close to Cassis! As we enjoy a light snack, we’re glad we brought a small bag to collect all our rubbish! It seems unthinkable to us that such a natural gem should be left to go to waste!

En-Vau Cove

We set off again, eager to discover the famous Calanque d’En Vau!

We’ve heard so much about it. The photos on Instagram really made us dream…

The path is challenging, rocky and sometimes slippery, and the walk is no walk in the park – it’s a proper workout! From Port- Miou, it took us an hour and a half to reach the impressive and magnificent calanque!

Our efforts were amply rewarded…

We arrived at the very top of the viewpoint and there… the calanque lay bare before our eyes, a true beauty! The colours are fantastic! Every shade of blue, from royal blue to green, the sea shimmers like precious stones!

However, to reach the beach at En Vau, the descent is dizzying and difficult to navigate. There are a few sections where you have to use your hands to get over rocky ledges. The end of the descent is on a fairly steep and slippery scree slope… This section has to be climbed again, but unlike the outward journey, it’s easier on the way back.

Our afternoon went wonderfully well, nestled in the heart of the massif in an exceptional natural setting. On the way back, we made sure to collect all our papers and set off again. It took us about two hours to reach the centre of the little village of Cassis, where we could relax on a terrace by the harbour or in a small restaurant.

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Calanques Experience