Horseback riding in Provence, France

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Cassis & Calanques


Itinerary for Cassis & Calanques



Sample itinerary - subject to changes

Note: this itinerary is not recommended for people afraid of heights.

Day 1: Frioul islands
Arrival on your own in Marseille. If you arrive in the morning, make sure to visit the fish market (held every morning in the old port).
Marseille city center Marseille was founded by the Greeks 2600 years ago. Marseille is the oldest city in France. A cosmopolitan pot-pourri of neighbourhoods, culture, and architecture. From the picturesque Vieux Port, your ferry takes you to "Chateau d'If" island, made famous by the novel of "Monte Cristo" (ferry tickets not included - 30min crossing). Another 15 minn ferry crossing takes you to the Frioul Islands. Other than the restaurants that you find in the port area, the islands are a protected oasis of wilderness. Rare plants are dotted about the sun-bleached walking paths that offer great viewpoints of the city. There are many swimming opportunities along the way. Return by ferry to the Old Port of Marseille.
Hiking about 9 km (2h45 to 3h) + 10m / - 10m
Meals included: none
Overnight in Marseille


Day 2: Col de la Gardiole to Cassis
A 30-min private taxi transfer takes you to the Col de la Gardiole pass, high above the Calanques of Cassis. Please note that from June 1st to September 30th, there is no car access to the Gardiole pass. You will need to walk an extra 2km (about 30 min) along the road to reach the Col de la Gardiole.
You're among a garrigue vegetation of shrubs and aromatic herbs, their perfume concentrated by the penetrating Mediterranean sun. Soon you find a shaded and deeply encased valley that descends in tight zigzags towards the sea, and here you reach the Calanque of En Vau. This is followed by a short but steep climb through the jagged limestone to reach the Calanque of Port Pin, a narrow finger-of-an-inlet complete with a sandy beach. This is the perfect stop for your picnic lunch.
The third Calanque is Port Miou, over a kilometre long but ultra-thin, lined on both sides by picturesque sailboats. At the end of the day, you walk straight into the centre of Cassis, a small village set on the Mediterranean.
Hiking about 12 km (4h) + 200m / - 460m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Cassis


Day 3: Walk to La Ciotat
You begin your walk in Cassis, on a small country lane surrounded by vines. Then, via a wide track, you climb towards Cap Canaille. At just under 400m Cap Canaille is the highest sea cliff in France, and one of the highest in Europe. Facing the vast expanse of the Mediterranean Sea the 360° view is incomparable.
From here, the walking path remains above the vertiginous cliff as you make your way along the impressive coastline. Your walk leads into the adjacent town of La Ciotat, with its stunning port, naval construction site, and its sandy beaches (you've earned a swim!).
At the end of the walk, take a taxi in La Ciotat for a transfer back to Cassis (transfer is not included - cost around 25/30 €: make sure to have cash with you).
Hiking about 12 km (4h) + 500m / - 500m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Cassis


Day 4: Sightseeing in Cassis and Aix en Provence
You start the day with a transfer from Cassis to Aix-en-Provence. A market is held every morning on the "town hall" square in Aix en Provence.
This is a day of leisure with a morning stroll around Cassis. In the early afternoon you are transferred to the beautiful city of Aix-en-Provence. Aix is a lively university city and unapologetically bourgeois: regal stone fountains line the Cours Mirabeau, behind which 17th and 18th century mansions now house chic shops and banks. A labyrinth of winding streets in the centre of town unveil a wealth of historic buildings, squares, and shops of all kinds.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Aix en Provence


Day 5: Sainte Victoire & Vauvenargues
A short morning transfer takes you to the start of the walk at the imposing foot of the Sainte Victoire mountain. It's here that the impressionist painter Cézanne tirelessly painted landscapes, immortalizing the mountain ahead. A jagged spine soars to the 1000m summit and that is your day's goal. Though it may look imposing, there is no scrambling involved.
On a clear day, from the summit, the snow-peaked Alps are visible to the north and the Mediterranean to the south. Once at the the top, you can choose to continue walking along the spine, or descend to the village of Vauvenargues, where Pablo Picasso found his eternal rest.
A local bus will take you back to Aix en Provence (bus ticket not included).
Hiking about 10 km (4h30) + 650m / - 650m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Aix en Provence


Day 6: Departure 
End of your trip in Aix en Provence after breakfast.

Access to paths in the summer
From July 1st to September 30th access may be restricted in the Calanques if the risk of forest fire is high. There is a risk that the paths may be forbidden as of noon on any given day or in exceptional circumstances the paths may be closed altogether. Information is available at 6:00pm for the following day from the local prefecture, either by telephone (automated message) or by internet on
http://www.ancien.paca.gouv.fr/files/massif/index.php
Clients are responsible for getting this information. Any extra cost for extra transfers due to those restrictions will be at the client's charge.

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Cassis & Calanques
Tour Code: ZZ-FR-Hike22
6 days / 5 nights
Dates : Mar-Jun & Sep-Nov

Level : Fitness Level
Difficulty Levels Explained
1. Easy
Easy pace and an average-to-sedentary level of fitness. You should be in good health and fit enough for full day of normal sightseeing and walking.
2. Easy to Moderate
An average level of fitness or some experience with the featured activity is recommended.
3. Moderate
Requires you to have performed the featured activity regularly, with some periods on challenging terrain. Activities are mandatory and you may be traveling at high elevations. You need to be in good health and physical condition to enjoy these trips, with adequate muscular strength and cardiovascular endurance.
4. Demanding
You must be extremely physically fit and are expected to hike or ride four to six hours over steep or more rugged terrain.
5. Strenuous
Prolonged hiking/biking on moderate to difficult terrain (five to nine hours a day).
May include high altitude, rugged terrain etc..

Online Reservation


Season Seasons  Min / MaxReserve
C 2024 03/01 - 04/30 6d / 5n 6 day Self guided walking to... 2 /6 Reserve
B 2024 05/01 - 06/10 6d / 5n 6 day Self guided walking to... 2 /6 Reserve
A 2024 06/11 - 09/22 6d / 5n 6 day Self guided walking to... 2 /6 Reserve
B 2024 09/23 - 10/28 6d / 5n 6 day Self guided walking to... 2 /6 Reserve
C 2024 10/29 - 11/15 6d / 5n 6 day Self guided walking to... 2 /6 Reserve
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Airport: Marseille
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