These outdoor activities are a must in Marseille

1. Follow in Marcel Pagnol’s footsteps in the Garlaban hills

In his autobiographical novel La Gloire de mon Père (The Glory of My Father), the young Marcel Pagnol recounts with emotion his love for the garrigue desert that stretches to the east of Marseille and Aubagne. It was here that he lived out his fondest childhood memories and shot some of his greatest films.

Guided walks take you along the paths taken by Marcel Pagnol to the main filming locations for Regain and Angèle, la fille du puisatier, and reveal the entrances to the Grosibou caves and Manon des Sources. Numerous excursions are organised throughout the year around the Garlaban: walk between fiction and reality through enchanting landscapes, intoxicated by the scents of thyme and rosemary!

2. Hike in the Calanques National Park with a guide

The calanques are a favourite playground for hikers, who come to admire a grandiose setting that reinvents itself with each new cove. Sometimes steep and difficult to follow, most of the paths in the calanques are reserved for experienced walkers.

To enjoy a magical experience in complete safety, follow the guide! Take part in a half-day or full-day hike in the calanques with a local guide who knows the area like the back of his hand. And if conditions allow, you can even take a dip in the blue waters of the Mediterranean!

3. Explore the Mediterranean coastline by sea kayak

The calanques and the Mediterranean coastline around Marseille are revealed from a different angle from the sea. For half a day or a full day, a kayak trip will take you as close as possible to the coast to reach places that would otherwise be inaccessible: secret coves, sea caves, confidential beaches.

On the town side, (re)discover the urban creeks of the Catalans, the Vallon des Auffes or the Anse de la Fausse Monnaie. In the park, admire the calanques of Sormiou, Morgiou, Sugiton or En Vau. In Cassis and La Ciotat, Cap Canaille and Bec de l’Aigle stand out against the red rock cliffs.

Each kayak trip has a new surprise in store: enjoy a unique family experience, accessible from the age of 6 and open to beginners, and enjoy the peace and quiet just a few metres from the coast!

4. Defy the void in the Calanques

The Calanques National Park is home to some of the most beautiful limestone cliffs in Europe. While the best climbers take on the rocks of the calanques, beginners can also enjoy their share of thrills: half-day or full-day excursions invite you to challenge the void in the company of experienced guides.

Accessible to children and adults alike, the via cordata is a trek to overcome vertigo on a course secured by ropes. You don’t need any specialised equipment – it’s all provided: a good pair of trainers or hiking boots and a rucksack with a bottle of water are all you need!

The more adventurous can try their hand at climbing a major route, several pitches long and dozens of metres high.

5. Explore the coastal paths on an electric mountain bike

Cycling is the perfect way to discover France’s sunniest city! Under the blue skies of the Phocaean city, explore the paths leading into the creeks and hills with a guide. With an electrically-assisted mountain bike, the most beautiful walks are accessible to amateur cyclists. Do you want to follow the guide, or would you rather take to the side roads on your own? The choice is yours!

You can also discover Marseille’s tourist districts and monuments by bike, on itineraries with commentary by a local guide who loves the city.

6. Take a trip to the vineyards of Provence

Vines thrive in the sunshine of the South of France. From Cassis to Aix-en-Provence, from the Luberon to the Alpilles, the winegrowing estates of Provence passionately cultivate and mature red, white and rosé wines of character, and share their nectars and know-how with you on unforgettable wine-tourism itineraries in a sidecar, for example.

What’s on the agenda? A road trip through the splendid landscapes of Provence, taking in some of the region’s most emblematic sites and its most popular and most confidential wine estates. An unforgettable activity, but one to be enjoyed in moderation!