Port de Pomègues Cove, Sea inlet on the island of Pomègues, Marseille, France

The Calanque du Port de Pomègues is a small, narrow sea inlet on the island of Pomègues, part of the Frioul archipelago off Marseille. It is one of the few spots on the island with a small sandy strip, surrounded mostly by white rocky shores.

The bay served Marseille as a quarantine port for centuries, where ships arriving from distant lands had to stop before being allowed to enter the city. The tower of Poméguet, still visible above the cove today, watched over these controls as part of the city's defense against epidemics.

Just at the edge of the cove, a small aquaculture farm has been raising Mediterranean fish such as sea bass and sea bream using organic methods since the late 1980s. It is said to be one of the first of its kind in Europe, giving the spot a local flavor that goes beyond simply being a swimming spot.

From the main landing point of the Frioul archipelago, you walk toward the island of Pomègues, turn left just before the Poméguet tower, and reach the cove after just a short walk. On site during the season, you will find showers, restrooms, and mat rentals, and part of the beach is accessible for people with limited mobility.

Before a seawall was built between the islands of Ratonneau and Pomègues in the 19th century, this natural bay was one of the few sheltered spots in the area for ships. Even today, sailors often choose to anchor here because the cove remains well protected from the mistral wind.