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Where to swim in quiet places near Marseille?

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  5. Where to swim in quiet places near Marseille

Alone, as a couple, with family or friends, your stay in Marseille will certainly rhyme with swimming in the sun. But where are the most peaceful places to swim in the city of Marseille? Between creeks, beaches and seaside resorts, which one will make you fall in love?

The Calanques between Marseille and Cassis, a must-see or a secret

Stretching over 20 kilometres between Marseille and Cassis, the Calanques are full of peaceful places for those in search of tranquillity. Between land and sea, these havens of peace give access to the turquoise beaches of the Mediterranean sea.

Venture into the numerous creeks and Calanques that the National Park massif offers. These little corners of paradise cannot be missed and are mainly accessible on foot. It is advisable to get information before going there and to bring good walking shoes.

If you go to the Frioul Islands, you will certainly find a small secret cove just waiting for you, but beware, these little secret spots are often rocky and not recommended if you have small children.

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      The Côte bleue, from fishing villages to wild creeks

      To the north of the city of Marseille, between Marseille and Martigues, the creeks and coves of the Côte Bleue offer several quiet swimming spots. Initially, they were inhabited by farmers and fishermen before being transformed into coastal villages following the creation of the Marseille-Miramas railway line in 1915.

      Our advice for visiting the Côte bleue? Move away from the villages and seaside resorts to reach the wildest creeks. To swim in these coves (which have inspired film-makers such as Marcel Pagnol and Robert Guédiguian), wear suitable sandals to avoid injuring yourself by walking on the pebbles or sea urchins scattered along the rocky bottom.

      If you want to go to the Côte bleue, nothing could be easier! The famous Côte Bleue train is the best way to visit. A tourist attraction in its own right, it offers a spectacular panorama of steep cliffs, viaducts and clear waters. Tip: when departing from Marseille, sit on the left-hand side of the train to fully enjoy the plunging views of the calanques and bathing spots.

      The vast, wild beaches of Camargue

      Not even 2 hours drive from Marseille, the Camargue beaches are perfect for travellers looking for a quiet spot. These huge beaches stretching for several kilometres will give you the impression of travelling out of time.

      The 6-kilometre long Piémanson beach has fine, endless sand and dunes with rare plants. It is well known for sea kayaking. There is little risk of being disturbed during your swim, as there are no restaurants, bars or grocery shops around this place.

      Another quiet beach is the Beauduc beach which stretches over 7 kilometres of fine sand. Located in the south-east of the Camargue between Arles and Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, Beauduc is a natural site belonging mainly to the Conservatoire du Littoral. The access road is somewhat perilous, but there is no doubt that you will find the peace you are looking for once you arrive!

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          When Marseille takes on the air of a seaside resort

          Why go away from Marseille for a swim, when the city takes on the air of a seaside resort as soon as the sun comes back out. To take advantage of the calm of Marseille’s beaches, you can go there in the morning.

          Several beaches follow one another along the Corniche Kennedy: Les Catalans, le Prophète, l’Anse de la Fausse Monnaie welcome you with a breathtaking view of the Frioul archipelago and the hills of the Côte bleue.

          Below the Corniche Kennedy, the Prophète beach generally welcomes families. Suitable for young and old alike, this beach gives access to shallow water in which children can walk. For the more sporty, a beach volleyball court is freely accessible. Fancy a meal with a view of the sea? Go to Chez Marco, a restaurant not to be missed for aperitifs on the beach or for picnics at the water’s edge.

          Further south, between David and the Pointe-Rouge, there are also many beaches. In the morning, the beaches of Escale Borely, which are not very busy, offer you a real haven of peace. A great way to start the day!

          Marseille's beaches

          Beach Calanque d'En Vau
          Beach Calanque d'En Vau
          Pebble cove, framed by high walls of white limestone, bristling with needles and rocky points: the site is extraordinary.
          Calanque des Pierres Tombées
          Calanque des Pierres Tombées
          Cove of rocks and stone slabs, 100 meters long, adjoining the cove of Sugiton. Naturism is tolerated.
          Plage privée de la brasserie Equinoxe
          Plage privée de la brasserie Equinoxe
          The Equinoxe brewery offers every summer (from mid-May to mid-September) and every day access to its private sandy beach, with the rental of deckchairs, mattresses and parasols.
          Prado South Beach (David)
          Prado South Beach (David)
          Prado Sud beach is a 280 meter long pebble and gravel beach, preceded by large areas of lawn. There is a first aid station, lockers, toilets, snack bars and garbage garbage cans.
          Plage privée du Sport's Beach Café
          Plage privée du Sport's Beach Café
          The Sportbeach is a bar-restaurant on the seafront, a small artificial paradise where you can enjoy the specialties of the chef, who composes a menu of Mediterranean flavors...
          Borély Beach
          Borély Beach
          The Borély beach is made of sand and gravel. It is 260 meters long and precedes a promenade for pedestrians and bicycles. It hosts snacks, restaurants, a first aid station,...
          Plage du Prophète
          Plage du Prophète
          The beach of the Prophet is a small natural sandy beach, with shallow waters, equipped with a refreshment bar, garbage cans, games for children, a volleyball court, first aid...
          Plages de Corbière
          Plages de Corbière
          The three beaches of Corbière (la Lave, la Batterie and le Fortin) were built south of l'Estaque, below the N568. A path dug in the rock and stairs allow access on foot.
          Plage anse du Bain des Dames
          Plage anse du Bain des Dames
          Small pebble and gravel beach, with a few huts and a restaurant and public toilets, in the Madrague de Montredon area. Direction Pointe Rouge les Goudes.
          Beach of the Pointe Rouge
          Beach of the Pointe Rouge
          The Pointe Rouge beach is sandy and extensive: it precedes the marina of the same name. It hosts a first-aid post, lockers, sanitary facilities, restaurants, refreshment stands...
          Plage de l'Huveaune
          Plage de l'Huveaune
          The Huveaune beach, better known in Marseille as Epluchures Beach, is located, like many beaches, in the heart of the city, near the famous reproduction of the statue of David.
          Anse des Phocéens
          Anse des Phocéens
          Small sandy cove surrounded by white rocks, towards Les Goudes.
          Plage Calanque St Estève
          Plage Calanque St Estève
          To reach the beach of the calanque St Estève, you have to start by coming to the Vieux-Port in Marseille.
          Plage Calanque de Sugiton
          Plage Calanque de Sugiton
          Small cove with varied relief, shaded, with sand, pebbles and rocks. The waters are fresh and crystal clear.
          Mount Rose Cove
          Mount Rose Cove
          Small rocky cove surmounted by a France Telecom antenna, just after the small picturesque port of La Madrague. Restaurants nearby, and terminus of the bus line 19. The public...
          Plage Calanque de Samena
          Plage Calanque de Samena
          Small cove covered with small pebbles, surrounded by white rocks, in the direction of Les Goudes. This cove is now included in the Calanques National Park.
          Beach Calanque of Port Pin
          Beach Calanque of Port Pin
          A cove of pebbles and gravel, 50 meters long and 20 meters wide. Its cliff is abrupt, the relief rough. The waters are of a deep blue in the shape of a ribbon.
          Plage Anse de la Bonne Brise
          Plage Anse de la Bonne Brise
          Sandy beach after the Pointe Rouge and before the small port of the Madrague de Montredon. Equipped with toilets, and a parking lot.
          Plages Prado Nord
          Plages Prado Nord
          Prado Nord beach is a 280 meter long pebble and gravel beach, preceded by large areas of lawn. It is equipped with a first aid station, lockers, snack bars and garbage garbage...
          Plage de la calanque de Morgiret
          Plage de la calanque de Morgiret
          The Morgeret cove is located on the archipelago of Frioul and precisely the island Ratonneau.
          Beach calanque of Morgiou
          Beach calanque of Morgiou
          Small sandy cove located after the fishing port, topped by a few huts. It is dominated by the Cap Morgiou and the ruins of a 17th century fort.
          Plage des Catalans
          Plage des Catalans
          The Catalans beach is a sandy beach, the closest to the Old Port, below the sports club Le Cercle des Nageurs. It is equipped with a first-aid post, showers, toilets, garbage...
          Anse de Bonneveine et Vieille Chapelle
          Anse de Bonneveine et Vieille Chapelle
          The Bonneveine beach is sandy, 540 meters long, with an area marked out for swimming by yellow markers. It is equipped with a snack bar, garbage garbage cans, first aid...
          Beach of the Goudes port
          Beach of the Goudes port
          Small sand and gravel cove, adjacent to the port. Restaurants nearby.
          Beach of the calanque of Sormiou
          Beach of the calanque of Sormiou
          If you are in Marseille and want to cut yourself off from the world, to stop hearing the noise of the city and discover an enchanting landscape, go for a walk on the beach of...
          Anse des Sablettes
          Anse des Sablettes
          Small sandy cove surrounded by rocks, in the direction of Goudes, equipped with toilets.
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