If you’re planning a trip to Marseille then you have to include a trip to the incredible calanques. The Parc national des Calanques is a wild, rugged terrain to the east of Marseille stretching 20km along the coast to Cassis. Here you’ll find lots of ‘calanques’ which are steep-cliffed coastal inlets with incredible turquoise water, they are super beautiful and instagrammable! There are a number of different calanques to visit but the most famous and beautiful ones are Calanque Port-Pin and Calanque D’en Vau. In this article I will explain how to get to Calanque d’en Vau.
How to get to Calanque d’en Vau (quick guide)
Step 1: Get to Cassis or Calanque de Port-Miou
Step 2: Hike from Calanque de Port Miou to Calanque de Port Pin
Step 3: Go for a swim in Calanque de Port Pin
Step 4: Choose which hiking path to take to Calanque d’en Vau
Step 5: Head down to Calanque d’en Vau
How to get to Calanque d’en Vau – step by step guide
Step 1: Get to Cassis or Calanque de Port-Miou
First step is to get to either Cassis or Calanque de Port-Miou about a 20 to 30 minute drive from Marseille.
Calanque de Port-Miou is at the beginning of the hiking trial, you will need a car to get here. Parking is limited so I recommend avoiding weekends where possible and arriving before 10am. You can’t drive down to the very entrance of the hike as this road is for locals only. Check out the map below to see where we parked.
Alternatively you can get a train or bus to Cassis and start the hike there (it’s about a 20 minute walk to Calanque de Port-Miou).
Step 2: Hike from Calanque de Port Miou to Calanque de Port Pin
If you want to get to Calanque d’en Vau then you will first need to hike to Calanque de Port Pin. The hike from Calanque de Port Miou to Calanque de Port Pin will take about 20-30 minutes. The first half is on a paved road but the last section has overgrown roots and loose rocks so I would recommend wearing closed shoes.
The hiking trial is marked using a colour coded system and you’ll see these marks painted on rocks and trees whilst you hike so that you know you’re going in the right direction. The main trial is marked with two red and white stripes. Make sure to have a look at the map at the beginning of the trail in Calanque de Port Miou.
Step 3: Go for a swim in Calanque de Port Pin
Take some time to enjoy the first calanque! Calanque de Port Pin is one of the best calanques to visit, there is a little beach area to lie on and the water is crystal clear.
Step 4: Choose which path to take to Calanque d’en Vau
There are two hiking paths that lead to Calanque d’en Vau from Calanque de Port Pin, the scenic coastal path and the more direct inland path. I would recommend taking the coastal path to get there and returning on the quicker direct path (or vice versa).
The scenic coastal path is marked with blue paint and hugs the coastline giving you some incredible views off the cliffs and ocean. It’s also the best place to come to photograph the Calanque d’en Vau from above. The coastal path is a longer hike and will take around 45 minutes to an hour. Check out the pictures below to see some of the views you will enjoy!
The inland path is a more direct path, taking you through some bushland, just continue to follow the red and white stripes for about 30 minutes.
Step 5: Head down to Calanque d’en Vau
At the end of both paths you’ll come across the steps to go down to calanque d’en Vau. It will take around 20-30 minutes to go down and a bit more to come back up. These can get quite busy on weekends or summer which is another reason to go early!
Everything you need to know about visiting Calanque d’en Vau
How long does the hike to Calanque d’en Vau take?
The whole hike from Calanque Port Miou to Calanque d’en Vau and back will take around 2.5-3.5 hours depending on your level of fitness and which route you take. I would give yourself at least half a day to enjoy these beautiful calanques though as you’ll definitely want to swim!
Where is the best viewpoint to photograph Calanque d’en Vau?
If you want to take some photos of the Calanque d’en Vau from above, you’ll need to take the scenic coastal path. I have pinned the exact location that I took my photos at so you can easily find it!
Where to stay when visiting the calanques?
The nearest towns to the calanques are Cassis and Marseille. I stayed at the Sofitel in Marseille which was the perfect place to relax after our hike. The beds are just AMAZING (if you’ve ever stayed in a Sofitel you will understand what I mean!), and it has a beautiful view over the old port.
What to bring when visiting the calanques?
Please note that this is a national park so there are no little shops along the way. Be sure to bring lots of water, and any food you want to consume. Don’t forget to take all your trash with you and leave the calanques as you found them.
When is the best time to visit the calanques?
You can visit the calanques throughout the year, however if you plan to swim here you probably want to avoid coming in thre winter (December-February) when the temperature drops.
You also need to be wary of park closures during the summer due to risks of fire. This can happen on extremely hot and dry days with high wind. We actually planned to go on a Friday but it was closed so we went the following day. Make sure to check before you go.
If you do visit the calanques I would recommend coming in the morning before 10am. Not just for easier parking and cooler temperatures but because the light is better for photos.
I hope you have an amazing time visiting the calanques national park. It is a beautiful part of France and a must visit if you come to Marseille. There are quite a few different calanques to visit but Calanque d’en Vau is definitely the best calanque to visit! I hope my guide on how to get to Calanque d’en Vau helps you to make the most of your time there!
If you are planning on visiting more of the south of France check out my Provence and French Riviera road trip itinerary.
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