Bouches-du-Rhône between coast and nature

Bouches-du-Rhône stretches from mountainous terrain in the north to the turquoise Mediterranean in the south. Nature reserves, coastal paths and activities on the water shape the region’s varied travel experiences. When planning your trip, you can first consider whether coastal and marine experiences or hiking and landscapes should be the focus.

Nature and protected landscapes

The département has more than 18,000 hectares spread across around 30 estates. The Parc national des Calanques is a land and marine park covering 520 square kilometres and extending across Marseille, Cassis and La Ciotat. Île Verte lies 400 metres from the mainland and is distinguished by its diverse fauna and flora. It is part of the classified site of Cap Canaille and the Parc national des Calanques.

The Réserve naturelle de Sainte-Victoire also offers something different: the national nature reserve covers 140 hectares. The Grands-Creux sector contains a palaeontological site known for dinosaur eggs. These nature and landscape experiences offer a different way to discover the region than its coastline and Calanques.

Exploring the Calanques on foot and from the sea

Trails are the best way to explore the land side of the Parc national des Calanques. There are no water sources in the Calanques; for a half-day trip, the park recommends at least 1.5 litres of water per person. Check the latest hiking advice before setting out.

The GR98-51 provides access to both Calanque de Port-Pin and Calanque d’En-Vau. You can reach Calanque de Port-Miou from the centre of Cassis by following the GR58-51, a walk of about 30 minutes. Port-Miou serves as a nautical base with a nautical club and a harbour office; check the current status of the facilities before your trip.

You can also experience the Calanques from the water: shuttles departing from Marseille’s Vieux-Port offer visits from the sea. Sea kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are other ways to travel along the coast and enter the Calanques. Operators and conditions may vary; check schedules and offerings for your planned dates.

The Route des Crêtes is accessible from Cassis and La Ciotat. There are parking areas at several viewpoints. As the road may be closed seasonally due to the risk of fire, check whether it is open before setting out. For planning trips in the Calanques, the Mes Calanques app offers 20 geolocated routes for walks and hikes and lets you track your progress along the trails. App features may change; check the latest information if needed.

Trails in the Alpilles and the Camargue

The Alpilles have an extensive network of paths and trails for hiking, horseback riding and cycling. This lets you explore the landscape in different ways. The Parc naturel régional de Camargue offers 14 hiking circuits. These routes are designated hiking trails and provide a different focus from the sporting activities in the Calanques or the Alpilles’ network of trails.

Regional traditions and flavours

Course camarguaise is practised in Bouches-du-Rhône from March to November. Event calendars vary by venue and season; check specific dates before your visit. Regional products also offer insight into the character of the département: Riz de Camargue has been recognised as an IGP since December 2013. Other typical products associated with the maritime tradition include poutargue, sardines and sea urchins.

Choosing the right focus for your stay

The coast and Calanques, hiking trails in the Alpilles, and the nature of the Camargue each offer a different focus for your plans. Choose your hotel based on the activities that matter to you, and check the relevant information in advance for activities with set dates or seasonal access.

Discover more destinations: Orgon, Paradou, Peynier, Plan-D'orgon, Pont De Crau Arles, Puyricard, Raphèle-Les-Arles, Rognes, Rognonas, Moulès, Mouriès, Noves, Mollégès, Cornillon-Confoux, Coudoux, Eguilles, Eygalières, Eyguières, Rousset, Saint-Cannat, Saint-Marc-Jaumegarde, Saint-Martin-De-Crau, Saint-Rémy-De-Provence, Salon-De-Provence, Sausset-Les-Pins, Mimet, Senas, Tarascon, Trets, Vauvenargues, Velaux, Venelles, Ventabren, Vernègues, Vitrolles, Puyloubier, Peyrolles-En-Provence, Gréasque, Gardanne, Cabriès, La Fare-Les-Oliviers, La Barben, Miramas, Entressen, Bouc-Bel-Air, Saint-Estève-Janson, Cabannes, Cadolive, Septèmes-Les-Vallons, Saliers, Plan-De-Cuques, Les-Pennes-Mirabeau, Les Milles, Fos-Sur-Mer, Carnoux, Paluds De Noves, Beaurecueil, Saint-Paul-Lès-Durance, Pélissanne, Le Tholonet, Auriol, Gémenos, Saint-Andiol, Saint-Victoret, Mas-Blanc-Des-Alpilles, Ensuès-La-Redonne, Port-Saint-Louis-Du-Rhône, Saint-Mitre-Les-Remparts, Rognac, Saint-Savournin, Saint-Étienne-du-Grès, Fontvieille, Eyragues, Aigues-Mortes, Le Grau-Du-Roi, Port Camargue, Saintes-Maries-De-La-Mer, Aubagne, Cassis, Ceyreste, Cuges-Les-Pins, La Ciotat, La Destrousse, Peypin, Roquefort-La-Bédoule, Roquevaire, Aix-En-Provence, Allauch, Alleins, Arles, Aureille, Aurons, Barbentane, Belcodène, Boulbon, Carro, Carry-Le-Rouet, Charleval, Châteauneuf-Le-Rouge, Châteauneuf-Les-Martigues, Port-De-Bouc, Le Rove, Simiane-Collongue, Saint-Antonin-Sur-Bayon, Saint-Chamas, Berre-L'étang, Chateaurenard, Fuveau, Gignac-La-Nerthe, Grans, Graveson, Istres, Jouques, La Bouilladisse, La Penne-Sur-Huveaune, La Roque-D'anthéron, Lamanon, Lambesc, Lançon-de-Provence, Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade, Les Baux-De-Provence, Luynes, Maillane, Mallemort, Marignane, Marseille, Martigues, Maussane Les Alpilles, Meyrargues, Meyreuil.

For the broader travel overview: Provence-Alpes-Côte D'azur.