The Calanques of Cassis
White limestone inlets on the sea between Marseille and Cassis, reached by boat from the port or on foot over the hills.
The short version
- Take the TGV from Paris to Marseille, 3 hours at the fastest, then the regional train to Cassis, about 30 minutes and €8.40, roughly every half hour. Cassis station is 3 kilometers from the port, and bus 371 runs into town in 10 to 15 minutes.
- Boats leave the port of Cassis for the calanques all year. The one-hour trip to Port-Miou, Port-Pin and En-Vau costs €21, and the longest, 2 hours 20 minutes, costs €33.
- On foot, Port-Miou is 30 minutes from the center of Cassis, Port-Pin 15 minutes beyond it, and En-Vau about an hour, with a steep climb down and back.
- From June 1 to September 30, access depends on the fire risk, published between 17:00 and 18:00 for the next day. On red days the trails close; the boats still run, but you cannot land.
- Building work at Port-Miou runs until June 2027. Walkers coming over the hills from the Fontasse side detour through Port-Pin, which adds about an hour.
What to see
The calanques are narrow inlets cut into white limestone, with pines on the cliffs and clear water at the foot. The coast between Marseille and Cassis has been a national park, the Parc national des Calanques, since 2012.
From Cassis, Port-Miou is the long inlet full of moored boats, Port-Pin the pine-shaded pebble cove, and En-Vau the deep one between sheer white walls. The climb back up from En-Vau is hard in summer heat, so carry water and wear proper shoes.
On the Marseille side, Sormiou and Morgiou have small fishing huts and restaurants, and Sugiton is a cove under the Luminy university campus. The roads to Sormiou and Morgiou close to cars in summer.
Back in Cassis, the port has painted houses, fishing boats and the ticket booths for the boats. The market fills Place Baragnon on Wednesday and Friday mornings. Drive or walk up the Route des Crêtes to Cap Canaille, the high red sea cliffs between Cassis and La Ciotat.
Cassis became the first wine appellation in Provence in 1936, and most of its 200 hectares make white wine, served with the local fish.
Getting there and around
From Marseille Saint-Charles, regional trains reach Cassis in about 30 minutes, with more than 60 round trips a day. Bus 78 from Castellane in Marseille stops in the center of Cassis.
The tourist office advises against driving into the center. Park free at the Gorguettes car park, with 235 spaces, and take bus 372 into town.
For the Marseille side, take city buses to the trailheads. Bus B1 goes to Luminy for the 45-minute walk to Sugiton, and buses 22 and 23 serve the paths to Sormiou and Morgiou, 45 minutes to an hour on foot.
For inland Provence, take the TGV from Marseille to Avignon, about 35 minutes. Our Best of Provence in Three Days and One Night in Provence meet your train there with a driver, and our Legendary Art and Provence can start at Marseille airport.
When to go
Spring and autumn are the best seasons for walking. Summer is hot, the climb from En-Vau is hard in the heat, and the fire rules can close the trails.
From June 1 to September 30, check the next day’s fire risk after 17:00 on the Mes Calanques app or the prefecture’s map.
Sugiton needs a free reservation on the busiest summer days; in 2026 that meant every day from June 27 to August 30, and the 2027 dates are not out yet. In winter the boats run with fewer departures.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from Marseille to Cassis?
Take the regional train from Marseille Saint-Charles, about 30 minutes and €8.40, then bus 371 from Cassis station to the port. Bus 78 from Castellane in Marseille stops in the center.
Can you see the Calanques without a boat?
Yes, on foot. Port-Miou is 30 minutes from the center of Cassis, Port-Pin 15 minutes more, and En-Vau about an hour with a steep climb. Wear proper shoes and carry water.
Are the Calanques open in summer?
It depends on the fire risk. From June 1 to September 30 the prefecture publishes the next day’s level between 17:00 and 18:00. On red days the trails and the Route des Crêtes close, and the boats run without landing.
Do I need to book Sugiton?
Only on the busiest summer days. The reservation is free and online, opens three days ahead at 9:00 and closes at 18:00 the day before.
Is there a tour I can add?
Yes, inland. Avignon is 35 minutes from Marseille by TGV, and our Best of Provence in Three Days, $1,925, meets you there for the Palais des Papes, five villages, the Pont du Gard and the Châteauneuf-du-Pape cellars. Legendary Art and Provence, six days from $2,950, starts at Marseille airport.
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