Someone had suggested that, when I wanted to get out of the icy depths of Grenoble, that I check…read moreout Marseille and, offhandedly, added I should check out the Calanques, adding that they were a nice hike along the shore. Wow! Did she undersell the Calanques. Driving out to the parking for Calanque de Siguton, I really didn't know what to expect aside from what I saw immediately around me--scrublands and forest. But, upon cresting the ridge and facing the ocean, it was as if I had been transported to that picturesque French Mediterranean coast. Even on a winter's day, the colors were vibrant and the sun on my skin was just as warm. No swimming for me (though I was tempted and think it wouldn't have been so bad had I been prepared). Hiking or sailing to the Calanques is a must-do for anyone anywhere near them!

This calanque is beautiful, and there are hiking trails around it so you can go down and touch the…read morewater! We walked from Luminy to here after taking metro and bus 21 from the city center, and it was quite a walk but totally worth it! We got a view of the calanque from high up as well as almost down at the water. The water is so blue, and the cliffs surrounding it really makes it look pretty. Definitely recommend if you're in Marseille!

if you get the chance, i'd highly recommend hiking the calanques in cassis…read more DO NOT BE FOOLED by the tourist websites that claim the cruises are the only way to go...they're NOT! the cruise will allow you to see the calanques and their magnificence, but only from afar since the jagged rocks prevent you from coming up close ~*~ this was one of my favorite mis/adventures! there was a wind advisory that day, so the calanques were "officially closed" according to the tourism office i decided i'd kick myself if i didn't go, so i took a bus from marseille and thought i'd hike to see the first calanque...seeing one would have made my day i got there and found out it was only advisory (high winds + french smokers == fire hazard!) therefore it was unofficially still open ;p preparation// - bring sunblock - beach towel - swimsuit - sneakers - SHADES/sunnies ~*~ this hike//***** was gorgeous~ and fairly easy considering my lack of athletic ability i was able to walk across 5 of the 7 calanques within 1.5 hours and even stopped to dip my feet in the mediterranean! terrain// rocky & pebbly there are different color markers for difficulty levels...some of the more strenuous paths would require hiking staffs if you're not afraid of heights you HAVE TO go to the outer corners that overlook the mediterranean...it's as if you were simba from the lion king....w/ the wind in your hair! sea//***** the waters are crystal clear and so beautiful!

This was one of those moments when you're thinking twice about the walk, but We had an amazing time…read morethere. You have to hike for at least an hour from the parking they have up around "port miou" but the views are worth it. I would recommend: good walking shows, Looots of water (especially on summertime), a hat, sunscreen and a towel to cover your shoulders.

There are boats in this calanque! You can also go down to touch the water, and the hike here from…read moreSugiton is really fun. The cliffs surrounding the place and the blue water is really pretty! Cars are able to drive here as well, so if you have a car, I highly recommend driving. We walked from here to the bus station and it was a long walk and mostly uphill. Anyway, worth a visit if you're in Marseille!

From the owner: Entre Sugiton et Sormiou On peut y accéder en voiture sauf en juillet et en août à partir du…read morequartier des Baumettes. Une petite plage, des cabanons et un port de pêche, c'est la calanque typique.

Wow! What a fantastic dam. Forget Cezanne and Picasso and the Mont St Victoire, if you're in…read moreProvence why not visit the site of some serious civil engineering instead? It was built by Joseph Rigaud between 1946 and 1951 and stores up to 40 million cubic metres of water. It's no 3 gorges, but it's certainly more pretty.

From the owner: Belle idée balade Une vue plongeante sur des eaux turquoise avec de belles possibilités de ballades…read moresur les sentiers avec vue sur la montagne Sainte victoire. Possibilité de marcher jusqu'au barrage Zola en aval construit par le père du célèbre écrivain. Egalement des possibilités de ballades à vélo. Prendre à l'Est d'Aix en provence direction Vauvenargues et suivre barrage de Bimont. Grand parking pour les voitures