Hiking in Provence - Calanques fjords

From the picturesque harbor of Vieux Port, you take a ferry to the island of Château d’If, known from the novel The Count of Monte Cristo. A further fifteen-minute boat ride takes you on to the Frioul Islands, located in a protected nature reserve. In the harbor you'll find cozy restaurants, but on the islands it's mostly about the wild nature, with unusual plants scattered along the sun-bleached hiking trails. At selected spots along the trails there are viewpoints with lovely views over Marseille. Take a dip in the sea before taking the ferry back to Marseille in the evening!

Accommodation in Marseille

A transfer takes you to the Col de la Gardiole pass, located high above the white limestone cliffs around the village of Cassis.
On herb-scented hiking trails you make your way down towards the sea, and along the way you reach several of the white limestone cliffs that plunge into the Mediterranean, known as "calanques". You pass a sandy beach where you can take the opportunity to rest and eat your picnic lunch. You continue hiking until you reach Cassis, which lies right by the Mediterranean and consists of a handful of narrow alleys, a beach, and cozy restaurants in the harbor.

Accommodation in Cassis

Today you begin your hike in Cassis, on a small country road surrounded by vineyards. You then continue on towards Cap Canaille, which is France's highest sea cliff – almost 400 meters high. From here the view is fantastic in every direction – from the vast Mediterranean to the bay of Cassis. You continue the hike above the dizzying cliff, along the impressive coastline. The hike takes you to the neighboring town of La Ciotat, with its small boatyard and lovely sandy beaches, where you can take the opportunity to have a dip.

Accommodation in Cassis

Today you have a day on your own in Aix-en-Provence. It's a lively university town with a maze of winding streets in the center. The famous Cours Mirabeau avenue is lined with numerous fountains and here you'll find great shopping – everything from fashion to antique and food markets. Local specialties include jam, cookies, and oil, and Aix-en-Provence's world-famous rosé wine is called Coteaux d’Aix.

Accommodation in Aix-en-Provence

A transfer takes you to the starting point of today's hike, at the foot of Mount Sainte Victoire. This mountain and the surrounding landscape were one of the impressionist artist Paul Cézanne's favorite subjects. The summit, 1,000 meters above sea level, is your goal, on a clear day you'll be able to see the Alps' snow-capped peaks to the north and the Mediterranean to the south. From the summit you hike southward down to the village of Vauvenargues, where Pablo Picasso is buried. You can then take a local bus back to Aix-en-Provence.

Accommodation in Aix-en-Provence

The trip ends after breakfast.

If you have time, you can of course spend a few more hours in Aix-en-Provence – the city of a thousand fountains. You could, for example, visit Paul Cézanne's studio or the impressive Saint-Sauveur cathedral from the 12th century. Or head to the marketplace for a coffee and a croissant at one of the cozy cafés.