Marseille is a bustling city, and it’s the second-largest in all of France. But what if we told you that just 10 miles outside of Marseille’s Vieux Port lies one of the most impressive natural wonders in all of Europe?
Think turquoise blue inlets tucked between dramatic cliffs of white limestone… These are Les Calanques, and below is our guide on how to get there, things to do, and why they might be the best kept secret in the south of France.
Which of The Calanques To Go To?
There are multiple calanques, but trust us and go to Calanque de Sugiton. The views are truly breathtaking, and it’s accessible from Marseille even without a car. It is a fan favorite for tourists and locals alike.
If you are hard pressed for time, this article has great info on other options that are closer and more accessible to the city.
How to Get to Calanque de Sugiton From Marseille?
We struggled to find the best route, and it got to the point where we ended up sharing a taxi/Uber. The drive should have taken ~1 hour, but our driver didn’t speak much English and we ended up on a major detour. I hope the below can help you avoid the same mistakes…
From central Marseille, the best way is to take the M2 metro towards Sainte Marguerite Dromel. The stop is Rond-Pont du Prado. Then, you take 21 bus to Luminy.
From there, it’s ~1 hour hike down to the sea, where you should allow plenty of time (trust me, you won’t want to leave).
Things to Do in Calanque de Sugiton?
The hike is extremely easy, and there are sign posts in English to help direct you. You’ll follow a steep and curvy footpath downhill, towards the sea. Midway, you’ll see some spectacular views of other nearby calanques. And at the bottom, you’ll be rewarded with an oasis of crystal clear water, miniature beaches, catamarans, and cliffs just begging to be jumped off of.
- Go for a swim. Make sure you rock a bathing suit. After the hike, you will want to cool off with a swim. You’ll also see plenty of locals nestled into cliffside coves to enjoy a snack or a picnic.
- Cliff Jump. At the end of the hike is an inlet where you can really get your adrenaline fix. There is a large rock formation in the center of the inlet, which is probably the most popular launch point. With the help of some locals, we eventually graduated to an even higher jump off point along the border of the inlet.
- Have a picnic. You’ll see plenty of locals nestled into cliffside coves to enjoy a snack. If you’re feeling French, pack some meat, cheese, and a baguette (bonus points for bringing wine).
When to Go to Calanque de Sugiton?
Late Spring and early Summer are the best time to experience Les Calanques. We went in June, and the weather was phenomenal. It was certainly warm, but we beat the scorching heat of late Summer, as well as the wetter months in Autumn.
Hopefully this has convinced you and equipped you to check out Les Calanques. While you’re in Southern France, check out our post on a Sneaky Day Trip: Nice to Èze
Leave a Reply