New Year's Eve in the Calanques, between the sea and the cliffs
In summary
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Sports
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Duration4 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationProvence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur / The Calanques
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions40.99 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
Celebrate the New Year in the heart of the spectacular Calanques National Park , a natural gem between Marseille and La Ciotat. This limestone massif, with its vertiginous cliffs and deep coves sculpted by time, offers a unique setting to end the year in style. Between coastal hikes bathed in Mediterranean light and discovering the captivating scents of the garrigue, each day is an invitation to wonder.
On December 31st, a special evening awaits you in a welcoming restaurant: a festive meal , dancing , a glass of champagne , and exceptional wine to celebrate in a convivial atmosphere. This stay is an enchanting interlude between sea and rock, where unspoiled nature, local history (like the famous Cassis stone), and shared moments blend perfectly.
Ideal for welcoming the new year in a bright and wild setting, this trip combines authenticity , Mediterranean energy and a festive spirit.
The highlights
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Immersion between sea and rock in a wild and authentic setting
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Festive New Year's Eve party with fine dinner, dancing and champagne
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Unique flora and fauna in France
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 3h
- Average daily elevation gain: 334 m
- Average daily descent: 75 m
Management
French
State-certified mountain guide
Program
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First steps between sea and cliffs
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Positive elevation gain 300 m
- Negative elevation 300 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Meet your guide at 1 p.m. in La Ciotat . You'll then set off on foot from the hotel for your first hike, exploring the Calanques of La Ciotat , from the striking Bec de l'Aigle to the Soubeyranes cliffs , among the highest in Europe. This 2.5 to 3-hour warm-up hike involves 300 meters of elevation gain and loss , all within a distinctly Mediterranean atmosphere. Back at the hotel, you'll have some free time before enjoying dinner at a quality restaurant in the heart of La Ciotat. Overnight at the hotel .
Day 1 -
Immersion in the Marseille calanques
- Transportation Minibus - 00h37 - 26km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Positive elevation gain 535 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After breakfast , departure for Luminy , either by minibus or in your own vehicle , via the Col de la Gineste pass. From the university campus, you'll embark on a superb hike in the hills, with breathtaking views of the Calanques of Morgiou and Sormiou , before reaching the more secluded Calanque of Sugiton . A day of ridge walks, panoramic vistas, and the scents of the garrigue, with 4 to 5 hours of hiking and 535 meters of elevation gain . Return to the hotel in the late afternoon, followed by dinner at a restaurant in La Ciotat .
Day 2 -
Summits and New Year's celebration
- Transportation Minibus - 00h30 - 20km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After breakfast , you'll collect your packed lunches before heading towards the Col de la Gineste . From this starting point, you'll embark on a beautiful loop around Mont Puget , the highest point in the national park at 563m . The route via the Col de la Candelle offers spectacular views of the cliffs plunging into the sea. This hike takes you through a wild and rugged landscape, with 4 to 5 hours of walking and 500m of elevation gain . Return to the vehicles around 4 pm , then transfer back to the hotel.
In the evening, it's time to party: in a warm restaurant , you enjoy a festive meal , followed by dancing , a glass of champagne and carefully selected wines to welcome the new year in a friendly atmosphere.
Day 3 -
Final steps between coves and cliffs
- Transportation Minibus - 00h25 - 12km
- Activity Hiking
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
After breakfast , transfer to Cassis , the eastern gateway to the Calanques National Park . From the seafront, you'll explore three of the most iconic calanques: Port-Miou , Port-Pin, and En-Vau . Easily accessible yet breathtakingly beautiful, they offer a final concentrated dose of contrasting landscapes: turquoise waters , limestone cliffs , and shaded trails . Allow approximately 4 hours for the hike before returning to the parking area around 3:00 PM , where this Mediterranean-paced getaway concludes.
Day 4
Note
Transportation will be provided by the tour leader's vehicle, supplemented by participants' vehicles depending on group size. Participants using their own vehicles will be reimbursed for mileage and parking fees.
Accommodation
The "La Croix de Malte" hotel is located in the city centre of La Ciotat, in a quiet area, opposite the marina, 50m from the sea.
Access
Option to pick up your order by Argos minibus from Nice (optional).
Go to the starting point
Take the SNCF train to Marseille Saint-Charles station, then change trains to La Ciotat station. Next, take bus 10 or 40 and get off at the Eden stop.
Be aware that free parking is limited in Cassis. The most economical option is to park at the "Parking des Gorguettes" at the entrance to the town. From there, you can take a shuttle bus to the town center (the shuttle costs approximately €2).
You can also park in one of Cassis's guarded, paid car parks: La Madie, Viguerie, or Les Mimosas, all near the hotel. We recommend avoiding the town centre! Opt for La Madie, a 10-minute walk from the hotel, but more easily accessible as it doesn't go into the town centre.
Price details
The price includes
- Guided hikes led by a mountain guide, a specialist in the field
- Accommodation in a ** or *** hotel in a twin or double room, single room available
- Evening of day 1 and 2 meals at an outside restaurant.
- On the evening of the 31st, a special evening at a restaurant with dancing/ 1 glass of champagne per person and a bottle of premium wine for 4 people
- Breakfast for days 2, 3, 4
- picnic of day 2, 3, 4
The price does not include
- Drinks at the restaurant on days 1 and 2 and personal expenses,
- Transport to the meeting point and to the starting point of the hikes (see optional transfer option with our minibus)
- Cancellation/assistance-repatriation/luggage insurance (4.2% of the total cost of the stay)
- Transfers to reach the starting points of the hikes (see transfer option)
Options
- Round-trip minibus transfer from Nice : CHF91.48 / person
- Transfer by minibus to the starting point of the hikes : CHF45.74 / person
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- A medium-sized backpack (minimum 35 liters)
- 1 pair of hiking shoes
- 1 or 2 water bottles with a capacity of at least 2 liters of water per day
- 1 hat or 1 cap
- 1 pair of sunglasses (protection level 3)
- 1 rain cape (poncho type)
- 1 windproof jacket (preferably Gore-Tex type)
- A pocketknife or Swiss Army knife for picnics,
- For the brave: swimsuit and beach towel!
- 1 tube or bottle of sunscreen (high protection factor)
- 1 roll of elastic adhesive tape
- 1 anti-inflammatory ointment
- 1 box of Compeed plasters or similar (of the "second skin" type for blisters)
- 1 box of common pain relievers (paracetamol, ibuprofen or other)
