Hiking in the famous Calanques of Cassis in Provence

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


    Customize your holiday here 

  • From 440€ /pers
    • Self-guided
    • Walking  Moderate
      • 5 days
      • From February to June
      • From September to December
      • Simple -
      • Comfort -
      • Charming
      • Ref : A1129

Itinerary

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

hiking tour in cassis and marseille in the calanquesYou 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.

Meals included : none
Night : Cassis

Day 2 - Hike in the famous Calanques of Cassis 

walking tours of provenceA 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.

Walk : Gardiole pass > Calanque En Vau - Calanque Port Pin > Cassis  | 4h |  12 km - 8 miles | Elevation: +200m/-460m
. 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.

Meals included : breakfast
Night : Cassis

Day 3 - Cap Canaille cliffs

walking tour cassis provence cap canailleYou 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 

Walk : Cassis > La Ciotat > Cassis  | 4h |  12 km - 8 miles | Elevation: +500m/-500m
Meals included : breakfast
Night : Cassis

Day 4 - Free day in Marseille the magnificent

hiking in provence from marseille and cassisToday 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
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 )

Walk : Marseille > The Frioul islands > Marseille   | 1h30 |  10 km - 7 miles | Elevation: +10m/-10m
Meals included : breakfast
Night : Cassis

Day 5 - End of the trip

tours of provence in aix en provenceEnd 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 victoireContinue your holiday and explore the beautiful city of Aix en Provence. Market every morning on the "town hall" square, and BIG market on Saturday morning in 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 : Bimont dam > Vauvenargues > Aix en Provence  | 4h30 |  10 km - 7 miles | Elevation: +65m/-620m
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)

 

  • From 440€ /pers
    • Self-guided
    • Walking  Moderate
      • 5 days
      • From February to June
      • From September to December
      • Simple -
      • Comfort -
      • Charming
      • Ref : A1129
YOUR TRIP

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From the blog

More walking holidays in Provence

    • 6 days
    • Walking
    • Easy
    • Self-guided
      • From January to March
      • From October to December
  •   Accommodation choice :
      • Simple
      • /
      • Charming

Highlights of the trip

  • Walking through Van Gogh's landscapes in the  Alpilles mountains
  • The thousand year-old perched village of Les Baux de Provence
  • The Venice of provence :  canals & waterwheels of Isle sur la Sorgue
  • Gordes, the most famous hilltop villages of the Luberon
  • The great markets of Provence in Saint Remy & Isle 


Customize your holiday here 

    • 5 days
    • Walking
    • Moderate
    • Self-guided
      • From February to June
      • From September to December
  •   Accommodation choice :
      • Simple
      • /
      • Comfort
      • /
      • Charming

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


    Customize your holiday here 

    • 5 days
    • Walking
    • Easy
    • Self-guided
      • From April to October
  •   Accommodation choice :
      • Comfort
      • /
      • Charming

Highlights of the trip

  • Staying in the famous perched village of Luberon : Gordes
  • The lavender fields in front of Sénanque Abbey
  • The ochre quarries of Rustrel
  • Strolling through the famous lavender fields of Provence
  • Authentic Provence countryside, off the beaten-track

    Customize your holiday here 

    • 5 days
    • Walking
    • Easy
    • Self-guided
      • From March to June
      • From September to November
  •   Accommodation choice :
      • Simple
      • /
      • Charming
      • /
      • Superior

Highlights of the trip

  • Awe-inspiring vistas atop the Alpilles mountains
  • Retracing the life and brush strokes of Van Gogh
  • The perched medieval village of Les Baux de Provence
  • The quaint St Remy de Provence, Maussane & the Roman Arles



    Customize your holiday here 



    • 7 days
    • Walking
    • Easy
    • Self-guided
      • From April to October
  •   Accommodation choice :
      • Simple
      • /
      • Confort
      • /
      • Charming
      • /
      • Superior

Highlights of the trip

  • Awe-inspiring vistas atop the Alpilles mountains
  • The perched medieval village of Les Baux de Provence
  • The quaint town of Saint Rémy de Provence and the Roman city of Arles
  • The vineyards and olive groves blanketing the plains


    Customize your holiday here