Calanques National Park, Protected coastal area in Bouches-du-Rhône, France.
The national park extends across 520 square kilometers between Marseille and Cassis, featuring steep limestone cliffs and narrow valleys along the Mediterranean coast.
The area gained protection status in 1923 when the Comité de défense des Calanques formed to prevent industrial development at En-Vau, leading to national park status in 2012.
The Cosquer Cave near Cap Morgiou contains over 200 prehistoric paintings dating back 25,000 years, depicting animals including penguins and buffaloes.
Visitors can enter through four main access points: Cassis town, Les Goudes village, Luminy University area in Marseille, and Sormiou, each offering different hiking options.
This national park stands as Europe's only protected area combining terrestrial, marine, and urban environments within its boundaries.
Location: Bouches-du-Rhône
Inception: 2012
Address: 13008 Marseille, France 13009 Marseille
Opening Hours: Dimanche: 00:00 -
Phone: 0420105000
Website: https://calanques-parcnational.fr/en
GPS coordinates: 43.20944,5.44917
Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:38
Photo license: CC BY-SA 4.0
The Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region depicts a land where architecture narrates a thousand years of history between sea and mountains. From the 12th-century Cistercian abbeys to the brutalist experiments of Le Corbusier, this area features an exceptional built heritage shaped by Mediterranean light. You can find fortresses perched on rocky promontories, Romanesque monasteries where Van Gogh depicted his struggles, and contemporary museums that interact with the blue of the Mediterranean. Vineyards contain large-scale sculptures, the perched villages of Luberon display their medieval architecture in light stone, and Belle Époque villas in Cap d'Antibes mark the golden age of the Riviera. Between the limestone cliffs of the Calanques and the alpine valleys carved with prehistoric signs, Provençal architecture follows the contours of the land, capturing shadow and warmth, blending tradition and modernity. From the port of Marseille to the hanging gardens of Èze, each building bears the mark of a region where Cistercian builders, military engineers, visionary artists, and contemporary architects have inscribed their visions in stone, concrete, and landscape.
France contains protected areas with diverse landscapes and ecosystems. The national parks include alpine regions with peaks exceeding 3000 meters, glaciers and mountain lakes, Mediterranean coastlines with limestone cliffs and marine reserves, and island zones with underwater trails. Regional nature parks feature volcanic areas with 80 extinct volcanoes, extensive wetlands with thousands of ponds hosting over 200 bird species, moorland landscapes in the Ardennes, and coastal zones with lagoons and salt marshes. These protected areas shelter ibex, chamois, marmots, lynx and birds of prey. Visitors find marked hiking trails, historic villages and traditional farming operations.
French national parks feature natural landscapes with mountains, glaciers, lakes and forests. The parks are home to diverse wildlife and plant species. Visitors can hike, watch birds and explore nature. The parks extend from the Alps to the Mediterranean coast.
France presents diverse landscapes in winter, from Alps to Mediterranean coast. Cities display historical architecture under snow, while mountain regions offer ski areas and alpine views. Coastal areas and historical sites remain accessible during cold months.
The route connects Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica, the old port and Calanques National Park with historical buildings. The locations display the maritime history, urban architecture and coastal landscape of Marseille.
Stade Vélodrome
8 km
Château d'If
12.8 km
Unité d'Habitation de Marseille
7.2 km
Notre-Dame de la Garde
10.5 km
Cosquer Cave
743 m
Parc Borély
7.9 km
Calanque de Sormiou
2.1 km
Statue of David
8.4 km
Château de Cassis
7.3 km
Calanque de Sugiton
533 m
Marseille marigraph
10.9 km
En-Vau
4.3 km
Plages du Prado
8.7 km
Calanque de Port-Miou
5.4 km
Calanque de Morgiou
62 m
Château Borély
7.6 km
Sensas Marseille
9.6 km
Parc du Mugel
13.6 km
Figuerolles
12.9 km
Villa Valmer
10.9 km
Hôpital Caroline
13.4 km
Éden Théâtre
13.6 km
Callelongue
7.9 km
Chateau d’If
12.8 km
Le Grand Pavois
8.5 km
Plage de Port Pin
5 km
Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Marseille
9.5 km
Reviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes