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Hiking in the famous Calanques of Cassis in Provence
    • France - Provence
    • 5 days
    • Walking
    • Self-guided
      • From February to June
      • From September to December
    • 2 - 10 travellers
      • Simple
      • Comfort
      • Charming
      • Trip code : A1129
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About the Hiking in the famous Calanques of Cassis in Provence trip

About the trip in Provence

Your self guided walking holiday: There are no compromises or half-measures here: the landscapes along the jagged coastline paths in the "Calanques" are as dramatic as the cities are rich in their architecture, history, and culture. The jagged white limestone along the coast reflects the deep blues of the Med Sea, creating the symphony of turquoise inlets of the famous "Calanques".

During this Provence walking trip, these inlets stretch from Marseille to Cassis, both of which you'll explore at length. You can add some extra days in Cassis, enjoy the cafés on the old port, have a kayak day or an E-bike with a guided tour ! And add an extension to Aix en Provence : town of art & culture ...

. Important : this itinerary is not recommended for a person afraid of heights

Highlights of the trip

  • The genuine & charming village of Cassis, by the Med sea
  • Spectacular and dramatic coastal walking in the Calanques
  • A free day in Marseille city 
  • Swimming opportunities during the walks
  • Local fish and seafood specialties



    Go Private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

From the blog

Hiking in the famous Cassis Calanques of Cassis in Provence : Day by Day

Day 1 - Cassis, a charming village nestled at the foot of the Calanques

hiking tour in cassis and marseille in the calanques

  • You arrive on your own to the village of Cassis.
    We can arrange your transfer from Marseille, from Aix or from Cassis train centre : let us know !
    Inhabited since Roman times, Cassis is nowadays a lively provençal & charming village. Nestled along the Mediterranean coast, between the port of Marseille and the town of La Ciotat. The pretty little old port of Cassis is lined with colourful houses reflecting in the Mediterranean Sea.
  • Night in Cassis
  • Meals included: Breakfast 

  • Market on Wednesday morning in Cassis
     
  • Access: 
    . Regular train lines from Marseille city centre / Cassis

Day 2 - Hike in the famous Calanques of Cassis 

walking tours of provence

  • Walk - The Gardiole pass > Calanque En Vau > Calanque Port Pin > Cassis  
    . 4 hours - 12km / 7.5 miles - Ascent: +200 m / Descent: -460 m
    . Please note : There is no more car access to the Gardiole pass.  You will  then walk an extra 2km along the road to reach the Col de la Gardiole.
  • A 20-min private taxi transfer takes you to the Col de la Gardiole pass, high above the Calanques of Cassis. You're among a garrigue vegetation of shrubs and aromatic herbs, their perfume concentrated by the penetrating Mediterranean sun. Soon you find a shaded and deeply encased valley that descends in tight zigzags towards the sea and here you reach the Calanque of En Vau. 
    This is followed a short but steep climb through the jagged limestone to reach the Calanque of Port Pin, a narrow finger-of-an-inlet complete with a sandy beach, the perfect stop for your secluded picnic.
    The third Calanque is Port Miou, over a kilometre long but ultra-thin, lined on both sides by picturesque sailboats sheltered in this quiet cove. You walk straight into the centre of Cassis.
  • Night in Cassis.
  • Meals included: Breakfast 

  • Market on Wednesday morning in Cassis

Day 3 - Cap Canaille cliffs

walking tour cassis provence cap canaille

  • Walk - Cassis > La Ciotat > Cassis 
    4 hours - 12km / 7.5 miles - Ascent: +500 m / Descent: -500 m
  • You begin your walk in Cassis, on a small country lane surrounded by vines. Then you climb towards Cap Canaille on a wide track.  At just under 400m Cap Canaille is the highest sea cliff in France and one of the highest in Europe. Facing the vast expanse of the Mediterranean Sea the 360° view is incomparable, taking in the bay of Cassis below. 
    From here, the walking path remains above the vertiginous cliff (without getting too close!) as you make your way along the impressive coastline. Your walk leads into the adjacent town of La Ciotat with its stunning port, naval construction site and sandy beaches (and you've earned a swim!). 
  • Transfer from La Ciotat back to Cassis 
  • Night in Cassis
  • Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4 - Free day in Marseille the magnificent

hiking in provence from marseille and cassis

  • Today is a free day to explore Marseille the magnificent ! 
    Transfer to Cassis station, to pick up the train to Marseille  ( not included )
  • Founded by the Greeks 2600 years ago, Marseille is the oldest city in France. A cosmopolitan pot-pourri of neighbourhoods, culture, and architecture, Marseille itself would suffice as a week-long walking holiday.  
  • Today you have the choice : 
    . Have a free stroll in marseille to explore all the charming colorful quarters of Le panier, Vallon des Auffes.
    And don't miss the fish market every morning on the old port : a great ambiance!
    . You can also go for a walk in the Frioul islands
    Walk - Marseille > The Frioul islands > Marseille 
    1 hour to 3 hours - 10km / 6.5 miles - Ascent: +10 m / Descent: -10 m
    From the picturesque Vieux Port, your ferry takes you to "Chateau d'If" island, made famous by the novel of "Monte Cristo" (not included - 30min crossing). Another 15 mn ferry crossing takes you to the Frioul Islands. Other than the restaurants that you find in the port area, the islands are a protected oasis of wilderness. Rare plants are dotted about the sun-bleached walking paths offer great viewpoints of the city and swimming opportunities along the way. Return by ferry to the Old Port.
  • Train back to Cassis + transfer Cassis station/Cassis centre  ( not included )
  • Night in Cassis
  • Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5 - End of the trip

tours of provence in aix en provence

  • End of your tour in Cassis after breakfast. Enjoy the beach and the quiet living of Cassis villageby the Med sea ...
  • We highly recommend to extend your stay !

    Many great options : 
    . Cassis : Have a kayaking day with a guide. 
    . Cassis : Have a morning or afternoon Electric bike with a guide : you can peddle among wine estates, or discover one of the hidden calanques by bike
    . Cassis : Have a boat excursion to discover the wild & long Calanques from the Med Sea : a must ! 
    . Marseille blue coast : explore the small & genuine hidden "blue coast" on the western side of Marseille, with some easy walks between in-land and coastal path
    . Aix en Provence : 
      - Aix is Regal stone fountains line the Cours Mirabeau, behind which 17th and 18th century mansions now house chic shops and banks. A labyrinth of winding streets in the centre of town unveil a wealth of historic buildings, squares, and shops of all kinds. 
      - Market every morning on the "town hall" square, and BIG market on Saturday morning in Aix en Provence
    - We can propose you a hike to the Sainte Victoire mountain, that the impressionist painter Cézanne tirelessly painted landscapes, immortalizing the mountain ahead. A jagged spine soars to the 1000m summit. 

- Add an extra walking day in Aix en Provence and explore the famous Sainte Victoire !

hiing in aix en provence cezanne sainte victoire

  • Continue your holiday and explore the beautiful city of Aix en Provence.

  • Aix is a lively university city and unapologetically bourgeois: regal stone fountains line the Cours Mirabeau, behind which 17th and 18th century mansions now house chic shops and banks. A labyrinth of winding streets in the centre of town unveil a wealth of historic buildings, squares, and shops of all kinds. 
  • You can add an extra day of walking and explore the famous Sainte Victoire 
    . Walk - Aix en Provence > Bimont dam > Vauvenargues > Aix en Provence 
    4 hours 30- 10km / 6.5 miles - Ascent: +650 m / Descent: -620 m
    . A short morning transfer takes you to the start of the walk at the imposing foot of the Sainte Victoire mountain. It's here that the impressionist painter Cézanne tirelessly painted landscapes, immortalizing the mountain ahead. A jagged spine soars to the 1000m summit and that is your day's goal. And though it may look imposing the climb is steep but there is no scrambling involved. On a clear day from the summit the snow-peaked Alps are visible to the north and the Mediterranean to the south. Once at the the top you can choose to continue walking along the spine, or descend due south to the village of Vauvenargues, where Pablo Picasso found his eternal rest. 
    A local bus will take you back to Aix en Provence. ( not included)

  • Market every morning on the "town hall" square, and BIG market on Saturday morning in Aix en Provence

- Information on the path restrictions

  • Path Restrictions -  From June 1st to September 30th
    Access may be restricted in the Calanques & Ste Victoire mountains if the risk of forest fire is high. 
    There is a risk that the paths may be closed as of noon on any given day or in exceptional circumstances the paths may be closed altogether.
    Information is available from 6:00pm for the following day from the local prefecture by telephone (automated message).

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    Trip details
    Hiking in the famous Calanques of Cassis in Provence
        • France - Provence
        • 2 adults (2x440€)
        • 0 children (0x440€)
      • 5 days
      • Simple
    Total 880€
    Deposit 300€
    Book now !