Hiking to the Beautiful Beaches of Calanques National Park in Southern France

Calanques National Park is located in Southern France and runs along the coastline. This park offers two secret swimming coves that hikers can enjoy when exploring this scenic park. If you are travelling to Southern France, make this a ‘must-see’ on your itinerary!

Visiting these beautiful beaches does require some hiking, but I promise it is beyond worth it. And if you aren’t an experienced hiker, then hop on a tour with a well-versed local guide who can show you the way.

Now let’s be honest, so many places nowadays are photoshopped and look better in the photos than in real life. But after seeing the crystal clear coves myself, I can attest that this place is just as incredible as it looks. In this guide, I share: how to get there, parking, the hike, tips to have the best experience, and what to bring with you when visiting Calanques National Park. I hope you find everything you need to make your hike a successful one!

Stay Near Calanques National Park

Most people visiting Calanques National Park stay in Cassis or Marseille, as they are the closest towns to this rugged walled coastline. We did this hike while staying in Saint-Tropez, about an hour and a half down the coast. However, we still managed to make it work for a day trip! If you are staying in Marseille or another town along the Cote d’Azur, I suggest renting a car to get here, since this park is a bit off the beaten track.

Driving from Saint-Tropez to Calanques National Park

From Saint-Tropez, we drove to La Ciotat, where we then took the exit to drive through Route des Crêtes (following the windy road of D141). This is a 30-minute detour but offers incredible views on top of a cliff that hugs the coastline (see photo below). If you drive to Cassis from the east, this route will be on your way and is worth the extra time.

From here, you drive down the hill into Cassis, France, an adorable seaside town with access to the park. Drive through the town and look for signs guiding you to Calanques National Park. You can also use Google Maps to guide you—I’ve included a map below to get you started.

However, if you’re not up for driving in Europe, fret not! There are fantastic alternatives to explore the Calanques National Park from Marseille. Opt for a hassle-free tour with round-trip transportation included, offering various options tailored to your preferences. Join a guided hiking tour if you crave adventure with a knowledgeable local, or a sea kayak tour to explore the coastline, or lastly, embark on an e-bike tour for a thrilling ride along the cliffs. And for ultimate relaxation, and my personal favourite, hop on a catamaran and soak in the stunning views from the sea. With secluded coves for swimming, it’s pure bliss! No matter which option you choose, one thing’s for sure: you’ll fall head over heels for the Calanques National Park!

Parking at Calanques National Park

When visiting Calanques National Park you can either park on the street for free (on Avenue des Calanques or on Avenue Notre Dame), or in the designated parking lot at the end of Avenue Notre Dame (also shown on Google Maps) for 8€ for the full day. We opted for the parking lot just to be safe.

Grab everything you need for your hike, which I have suggested below. Now walk back up and out of the parking lot, almost as if you are heading back into town. There is a small dirt path on the left-hand side at the top of the street, that you turn and walk down to enter the park; or walk a little further and turn left down Avenue des Calanques. If you see a small concession stand with a sign for water, sandwiches and ice cream, you are in the right place! Start walking along the flat dirt path that will guide you into the park to start your hike. See the map below for a visual guide!

Hiking Calanques National Park 

The hike leads into the coastal national park with two stunning ocean inlets that you can swim in, Calaque de Port Pin and Calanque d’En Vau. Both inlets are lovely, but the second beach, Calanque d’En Vau, is less busy & way more beautiful, so I highly recommend putting aside the time to hike to both. In order to see both, it took us a short hour and a half in and out (3 hours round-trip). And although it can be technical and steep at parts, hikers of all ages were doing it – so no excuses – you can do it too! Once again, if you are not an experienced hiker, and would prefer to go with a guide that can show you the easiest route, book with this tour! You’ll still see everything I mention in this blog, but with a group of new friends and a local guide.

Time recommendation for visiting Calanques National Park: 2-3 hours to hike + relaxing/swimming time! Four hours is a safe bet.

To break this down for you, it takes about 20-30 minutes to get to the first inlet and is fairly easy to walk the whole way. Because of this, the first swimming inlet tends to be a LOT busier and full of families. If you only have time or ability to see the first cove, walk along the rocks to the side of the cove, to find a more private area to relax.

The second part of the hike takes about 45 minutes to an hour and is a bit more challenging, due to its steep descent. As I mentioned before, I highly recommend pushing through to Calanque d’En Vau if you have the time and energy.

Getting to Calanque d’En Vau

There are two routes you can take to get to Calanque d’En Vau which are not shown on Google Maps, but on this map here. The blue route (more scenic, as it runs along the coastline), or the red route (a more direct route). I recommend taking the red route on your way in, as you’ll be eager to see the second beach, and the blue route on the way back, to have something to look forward to. There are blue and red paint markers along the path to guide you on the right route. Below is the basic Google Map if you want to plug this into your phone.

This inlet can only be reached by boat or by foot, so crowds are minimal compared to other Mediterranean beaches in the area.  This exclusivity is what makes Calanque d’En Vau so special. So if you make it to this beach, congratulations, you earned yourself some of the most beautiful views on the Cote d’Azur. Go for a swim, enjoy your picnic lunch, and take in the views of the towering limestone cliffs that line this incredible beach.

Tips for Visiting Calanques National Park

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1. Go in the Morning

Learn from our mistake and give yourself lots of time to relax at Calanque d’En Vau. We came in the afternoon and only gave ourselves about an hour to enjoy the beach before hiking back before sunset. We could have easily spent more time here. So I recommend starting the hike in the morning around 10 or 11 am. This will give you lots of time to take photos, hike and relax at the beach.

2. Mid-day is the Best Time for Photos

Plus, mid-day is the ideal time for photos and sunbathing, as the afternoon sun will be right on top of the beaches, showcasing the incredible aqua colour of the ocean. On the topic of photos, to the left of the Calanque d’En Vau beach, there is a small trail that takes you up a cliff face – go up here to get a different perspective on the beach. This is the most incredible area to take photos. Most of my pictures in this post are from this side trail, and I kid you not, every minute I was squealing oohs and awes in delight at the views below.

3. There are no Facilities in the Park

There are no bathrooms, changing rooms or snack stalls once you enter the park. So you do have to bring your own food and get creative when you change. At least you are in Europe, so if you do have to go topless, no one will bat an eye.

4. Have a Dinner in Cassis & Watch the Sunset

End your day with a drink and bite to eat in Cassis – you deserve it! If you can, stay for sunset; the orange hues across the water on the cliffs will take your breath away. We enjoyed a beer at the bar literally on the beach, which was the perfect place to watch the sun go down. However, weren’t impressed with an appetizer we ordered there, so we ended up eating across the street at a burger shack called Le Pastis by Little Pape. They had delicious burgers at a reasonable price and the service was great. If I went again I would also consider eating at the hotel restaurant that has a stunning patio, and offers a 3-course set menu; however, it’s a little more fancy and expensive, so you may want to bring a nice change of clothes.

5. See Calanques National Park Aboard a Boat

Don’t miss the opportunity to explore these secluded inlets by boat! Embark on an incredible adventure aboard a speedboat in Marseille, and prepare to be captivated by the breathtaking beauty of the Calanques. Indulge in a day of relaxation, swimming, and snorkelling, all while marvelling at the stunning landscapes that unfold before your eyes. This cruise promises an unforgettable experience amidst the splendour of the Calanques National Park. If we had one more day in the area, we would have definitely done this! Guess, we’ll just have to go back…

What to Bring to Calanques National Park

Picnic Lunch and Snacks

Definitely pack a picnic lunch and snacks. With such a long day hiking, you’ll need to eat something to keep you fuelled.

Lots of Water

Packing lots of water is imperative, as it gets super hot. We packed two Insulated Water bottles which were lifesavers, since they kept our water cool in the hot heat. Unfortunately, we ran out of water on our hike back because there was nowhere to fill up our bottles on the hike. Therefore, I recommend one extra bottle for this hike. 

Towel and Swim Suite

Make sure to pack a lightweight travel towel  & your swimsuit (here is one similar to the one I am wearing below). Obviously, you will work up a sweat on your hike, and swimming is the perfect way to cool off. Plus the water is so stunning; you’ll be dying to dive in. Trust me and pack your swimmers. 

Sunscreen, Hat & Sunglasses

The sun is strong in this area! Also, the limestone rocks in this area reflected the sun’s rays making it really bright on your eyes. With this being said, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat (with SPF protection) are all vital for this hike.

Wear Hiking Shoes

When visiting Calanques National Park make sure to wear good running or hiking shoes. Do NOT wear sandals and I wouldn’t recommend converses either. Some of the hills were really steep and slippery, so you need to have shoes that have a grip to keep you from falling. However, see my note below about bringing waterproof sandals!

Wear Athletic Apparel 

Additionally, wear something cool and comfy to hike in. We saw people hiking in jeans, and it was 25 degrees out with high humidity. Plus, this isn’t a walk in a park! Well, I guess technically it is, but what I’m trying to say is stretchy comfy clothes will make your hike a lot more enjoyable. I wore my Lululemon shorts and tank, and they kept me perfectly cool and comfy. These shorts are also great, and look the same, but are a quarter of the cost.

Camera 

Do yourself a favour and don’t leave your camera at home for this hike. There are so many incredible views you’ll want to capture. Bring a good camera with an empty memory card to capture the steep-walled cliffs that border the sparkling aqua ocean. Also at this point in our travels we didn’t have a GoPro or Drone, but if you have these they would help in making some epic pictures!

Flip Flops or Swimming Shoes

If you have room in your bag, pack light flip-flops sandals or swimming shoes. It may sound unnecessary, but you’ll be thanking me. A lot of beaches in the south of France are pebble beaches with pointy sharp edges that KILL your feet. So do yourself a favour and pack them, to avoid looking like this idiot (aka me) in the video below. Click on the image below to watch the video on my new IGTV channel. Make sure to watch till the end to see the embarrassment I went through due to the pain of those damn pebbles – LOL! The moral of the story, pack waterproof shoes. These ones are my go-to waterproof sandals that are not only stylish but also comfortable.

A Backpack

Of course, if you are bringing all these things on your hike, you’ll need a backpack to bring them all with you. I used this stylish Travel Backpack, which was also my trip carry-on. We put this backpack to the test during our beach and hiking escapades, and it exceeded our expectations. Not only is it the ideal size, but it also boasts a waterproof compartment to stash your dirty shoes or swimsuits. With additional features like an anti-theft zipper pocket and a built-in USB charging port, it’s a traveller’s dream come true. Trust me, I’ve scoured the market, and this backpack reigns supreme as the world’s finest travel companion.

Well, friends, this concludes my guide to visiting Calanques National Park in Cassis, France. I hope this post helps you plan out your hike, and that you enjoy the beautifully secluded swimming holes as much as we did!

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If you have any questions about hiking Calanques, please write them in the comments below. Additionally, feel free to pin the photos below to save this guide for your next trip to France! 

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