A day in the Calanques

Just outside of Marseille there is a nature park called the Calanques. A Calanque is a steep sided valley that goes down into the sea. The nature park between Marseille and Cassis consist of multiple Calanques. The ground consists mostly of rock, hardly any soil can be found. this makes the vegetation in the Calanques rather particular. A lot of lovely smelling herbs can be found along the paths, including rosemary and thyme, as well as juniper, sage and myrtle. Different animals can be found in the Calanques, like foxes, rabbits and wild boars. In all honesty I have never seen these animals, but I am sure they are there, and you can find them if you head out very early in the day.

The rocky hills rise high above sea level, and you can either rise or descend. Both ways are gorgeous, and to truly discover the Calanques I would suggest anyone to take at least two days to walk around. 

When you decide to descend you will find little beaches and rocky shores, it is possible to swim, but the beaches consist of small rocks. I would suggest you take some shoes that you can use for swimming, because the water is cold and that does not feel nice on the feet in combination with the rocks. Especially in the summer this is a great place to go. I like to go early in the morning, when it is not yet hot, and rest the day on the coast, when the day gets colder again it is time to go home.

For the most beautiful views it is a better idea to rise,  the sea and the hills will give the feeling of greatness and always make me feel humble. There is so much to see, from the small people walking down the hills to the ships in the distance. The Mediterranean is always beautiful, and the rough hills make for an interesting sight. Along the paths you can find signs to follow the right paths, but in stores in Marseille you can also find maps with walking routes. 

We usually take the bus to the Calanques, after that it is another 20 minutes walk to get to the center point.

You can take bus 21 from Castellane or Point du Prado to Luminy. Make sure to bring enough water, and wear a hat in the summer. Sun protective cream is also very important! Keep the environment in mind and do not leave any trash in the park. The paths can be difficult and rocky, so it is best to wear proper shoes.