Visit Calanque d’en Vau, the Best of French Calanques
Calanques is a must-visit destination once you visit the South of France, and Calanque d’en Vau is the best of them with steep, white limestone cliffs and a crystal-clear turquoise sea underneath. I’m going to share the necessary information from my experiences visiting Calanques d’en Vau from Marseille.
Table of Contents
What are the Calanques
When I researched things to do in my 3-day trip in Marseille, the breathtaking pictures of the Calanques caught my attention immediately. It reminded me of the Norwegian fjord, but this is a more vibrant version: narrow, steep-walled inlets overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, formed by towering white limestone cliffs. Looking down from the cliffs, the crystal-clear turquoise sea captivates all visitors. Situated between Marseille and Cassis, Calanques National Park is a perfect place for hiking lovers to enjoy the French natural wonder.
How to pronounce Calanques
In French, the word “Calanques” is pronounced like “kah-lonk.” “Ca” sounds like “ka” as in “cat,” “lan” sounds like “lon”, and the “ques” sounds like a “k.”
Prepare your trip to Calanques d’en Vau
Duration of the trip
First, let’s talk about how long it takes to get to Calanque d’en Vau from Marseille. If you go by public transportation, from the center of Marseille, it takes around 1 hour 30 minutes to Belsunce, the nearest bus stop in Cassis. Then, the hike is approximately 3 hours roundtrip, depending on your starting point. Overall, it will be a 6-hour trip from Marseille to Calanque d’en Vau.
If you go by car, you can save lots of time moving from Marseille to Cassis. With a distance of around 30 km, you can reach the parking lot right at the Calanque of Port-Miou in 40 minutes, then start hiking from here. So, the total duration of the trip can be shortened to 3.5-4.5 hours.
Best time of the year to visit
Located alongside the Mediterranean Sea, the weather at the Calanques is quite ideal all year round for hiking and trekking. Based on the average number of rainy days each month, summer (3-6 rainy days/month) seems to be the best season to visit the Calanques. However, due to the high heat in summer which can lead to forest fires, from June 1st to September 30th, for safety, forest entrances are regulated daily based on the weather and drought. The information is updated daily at around 6 PM for the following days. You can check the access to Calanques through this map.
The rest of the months of the year might have more days of rain (8-10 rainy days/month), but it’s cooler and there are no limitations anymore. You know, the Mediterranean heat is not so comfortable. I visited Calanque d’en Vau in mid-June, and it was so hot!
Preparing for the hike
The hiking route to Calanque d’en Vau is considered an easy-medium route. However, some paths are quite slippery because you will be walking on limestone cliffs. For a comfortable hike, I recommend wearing proper hiking shoes and applying sunscreen to protect your skin. Bring water and snacks along.
How to get to Calanque d’en Vau from Marseille
By Bus
To get to Calanque d’en Vau from Marseille by bus, search on Google Maps from Marseille to Calanque de Port-Miou, the starting point of the hike. The bus from Marseille to Cassis is bus L078. The nearest stop to Calanque de Port-Miou is Belsunce. From this stop, you’ll walk 30 minutes to Calanque de Port-Miou, then 1 to 1 hour 30 minutes to Calanque d’en Vau.
By Car
If you plan to visit the Calanques by car, head to Cassis. There are several parking lots, and the cheapest parking lot is the public parking (click to see the location on Google Maps) along the streets near Calanque de Port-Miou. However, it is always overcrowded. In case you arrive in Cassis before 10 AM, you might find an available slot, but if you are late, it’s easy for it to be fully occupied. The fee is around 1 euro/hour.
Otherwise, you can head to this parking lot: Parking Calanque Port-Miou Cassis (click to see the location on Google Maps). The fee is 10 euros for the whole day (June 2024).
There is a parking lot right at the Calanque de Port-Miou; however, it’s inaccessible from Cassis. To get there, it seems you have to ride through complicated local routes.
Hiking to the Calanques d’en Vau
There are several routes to hike to Calanque d’en Vau, and the most beautiful route (panorama route) is also the hardest route. But believe me, it’s worth it!
Calanque de Port-Miou and Calanque de Port-Pin
After approximately 30 minutes walking from the nearest bus stop/parking lot, you’ll reach Calanque de Port-Miou. Port-Miou is more developed and accessible than the others, serving as a marina with numerous boats moored along its length.
Leaving Calanque de Port-Miou, you have truly begun your hike. After around 30 minutes following the direction signs, you’ll reach the beautiful Calanque de Port-Pin. This calanque is named after the pine trees growing around it. More than the white limestone cliffs, it’s actually a beach! It’s quite crowded in summer, but if you arrive early, you can pick a perfect spot to enjoy the sun and the turquoise water of the Calanques.
The Calanque d’en Vau
Leaving Calanque de Port-Pin, it’s time to go uphill to visit the best spot of the route, Calanque d’en Vau. Because you have run downward to reach the beach of Calanque de Port-Pin, you will have to climb back up to the cliff. Follow the panorama route to admire the magnificent and breathtaking scenery of Calanque Port-Pin from above.
This hiking section can take you 40-50 minutes, more or less depending on your physical health and how familiar you are with hiking.
Best photo spots of Calanque d’en Vau
Calanque d’en Vau is one of the most famous calanques in the national park, known for its steep, towering white limestone cliffs and crystal-clear waters below. Almost all images when you search “Calanques National Park” are images of Calanque d’en Vau.
Here is the location of my favorite photo spot. There is a small stone hut there for you to take a rest as well. Hiking a bit further, there are also many great photo spots.
What to do in Cassis
What if you still have time after finishing the hike to Calanque d’en Vau? Then take a walk in Cassis. This beautiful town has a lot to offer, with another Calanque, a beach and much more!
