In summary
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Sports
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Duration4 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationThe Calanques / Blackcurrant
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions38.19 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
In a few words
New Year's Eve in the sun in the Calanques: Mediterranean charm and coastal walks
Treat yourself to a New Year's Eve getaway surrounded by sheltered coves, a lively old port and a Provençal atmosphere! At the end of December, Cassis reveals all its charm: sunny terraces, invigorating sea air and convivial evenings facing the sea.
You'll alternate between beautiful coastal hikes and moments of relaxation, before enjoying a festive dinner in a warm and inviting setting. It's the perfect getaway to end the year on a high note and start the next one off right.
The highlights
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A beautiful getaway just 4 hours from Paris
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Hotel** on the port of Cassis
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3 days of hiking in the heart of the Calanques
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
The hikes offered take place on mountain trails with average elevation gains and losses of 400 to 600 meters. Expect approximately 4 to 5 hours of walking per day. You will carry a light pack containing your essentials for the day (picnic lunch, warm clothing, water bottle, etc.).
Specific features of the Calanques to keep in mind for a successful stay:
- Unlike in the mountains where you generally climb before a meal and then descend afterward, here the routes are hilly with a regular alternation of ascents and descents.
- The proposed trails are genuine hiking routes, stony and require some attention.
Only the first hike includes 2 technical sections:
- The first section is on the way up, just before arriving at Cap de Sugiton: A handrail secures a short section where you will use your hands to climb up.
- The second passage is a little further on, and corresponds to the arrival in the Calanque de Sugiton: You will have to go down a short ladder (13 rungs brings good luck!) to find yourself on the beach, ready to take a dip in the sea!
This crossing is one of the essential passages to discover the Calanques, few people have to give up.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 5h
- Average daily elevation gain: 529 m
- Average daily descent: 529 m
Management
Program
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Welcome
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Welcome on Tuesday at 7pm at the hotel** in Cassis.
For participants arriving by train, take the local shuttle (Marcouline M1 bus) from Cassis station to get to the hotel.
Welcome at the hotel and presentation of the stay by your guide.
Day 1 -
Calanques of Morgiou and Sugiton
- Transportation Minibus - 00h30 - 29km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 535 m
- Negative elevation 535 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After a short transfer, we take the ridge path overlooking the Sormiou cove, more than 200 meters above sea level. We descend into the cove and visit Morgiou, the other "inhabited" cove where a few fishermen still live, defying modern times by fishing according to ancestral rites from their tiny wooden boats: "pointus." A coastal path leads to the magnificent Sugiton cove where swimming (at your own risk) is possible under the Aleppo pines.
The ascent is via a beautiful panoramic path with views of the bay of Marseille.Day 2 -
Crossing the Devenson cliffs
- Transportation Minibus - 00h08 - 4km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Positive elevation gain 650 m
- Negative elevation 650 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Shaped like large vertical organ pipes, the cliffs of Devenson plunge into the green waters of the cove and continue for 2 km and 300 meters high!
Grab your sunglasses, a day of breathtaking views awaits! The contrast between the limestone cliffs and the azure water below is striking. You'll want to lose yourself wandering through the Mediterranean scrubland, with its scents of thyme and rosemary… Reaching the top of this famous cliff offers a fabulous panorama: the calanques, Cap Canaille, and the Frioul Islands.
New Year's Eve will be spent in La Ciotat, a small seaside town where the Lumière brothers invented cinema! After strolling along La Ciotat's seafront, we'll head to our restaurant for a festive dinner overlooking the harbor. We'll then return to Cassis for the night.Day 3 -
Calanques of Port Miou, Port Pin and En Vau
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Positive elevation gain 400 m
- Negative elevation 400 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
This walk begins on foot from the port of Cassis, leading to three of the most beautiful calanques! No, this isn't a joke (an exaggeration, in the Marseilles style), you won't believe your eyes… Port Miou, Port Pin, and En Vau follow one another like fjords, their white cliffs contrasting with their crystal-clear waters. First, we come to Port Miou and its marina setting with tightly packed sailboats. This remarkable natural area was exploited as a limestone quarry from 1900 to 1982. We follow the path along the weathered rocks that winds along the coast to discover the cove of Port Pin, a small, wild, and beautiful cove sheltering a pretty pebble beach. Finally, we gain some altitude on the Cadeiron plateau, where the view is breathtaking. En Vau is a hidden gem, but it's well worth the effort! Let's descend a few steps beneath the Aleppo pines to finally grasp what makes this cove so famous. You feel completely cut off from the world between these vertical cliffs that narrow and narrow to form a canyon at its entrance. These three iconic coves of the Park are truly breathtaking; we warned you…
The hike ends and we return to the hotel around 3:00 PM.
Transfer to Cassis station for 4:00 PM (trains to Marseille Saint-Charles)Day 4
Note
Depending on the conditions at the time, we may have to modify the indicated program somewhat.
During hikes, your guide remains the sole judge of the program, which they may modify at any time for safety reasons (weather conditions, strong mistral winds, trail conditions, group level, etc.). Their extensive knowledge of the Calanques allows them to best address these constraints without compromising the enjoyment of your trip.
Accommodation
Cassis is a picture-perfect setting, inviting you to daydream at first sight… To further enhance this idyllic setting, you'll be staying opposite the charming fishing port and just steps from the inviting beach. A perfect spot for a final dip after a day of hiking! This comfortable hotel offers a private bathroom, as well as a television and Wi-Fi in your room. And if the weather gets too hot, you can relax in the air conditioning and enjoy a good night's sleep!
Access
The hike ends and we return to the hotel around 3:00 PM.
Transfer to Cassis station for 4:00 PM (trains to Marseille Saint-Charles)
Go to the starting point
Take the train from Marseille Saint-Charles train station to Cassis station. There is a train between Marseille and Cassis almost every hour; the journey takes approximately 40 minutes.
Then take the local shuttle (Marcouline M1 bus) from Cassis train station to get to the hotel.
Price details
The price includes
- 3 nights in a 2* hotel
- The 3 breakfasts, the 3 dinners, and the 3 picnic lunches
- Supervision by a qualified Mountain Guide
- The special New Year's Eve meal, including a glass of champagne
- Tourist taxes
- Organization fees
The price does not include
- Drinks and refreshments for dinners, except for the glass of champagne on New Year's Eve.
- Transfers between the train station and the hotel on the first and last day if you arrive by train
- Personal expenses
- Insurance
- Possible visits
Options
- Extra night before stay - Single room : CHF129.90 / unit
- Extra night before your stay - Double or twin room : CHF146.37 / unit
- Additional night after stay - Single room : CHF129.90 / unit
- Additional night after your stay - Double or twin room : CHF146.37 / unit
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the formalities required for entry and stay in the destination country.
You can also consult 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 that you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require that your passport be valid for at least 6 months after your return), visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations.
And don't forget to take into account any customs restrictions and other possible obligations of the country of destination or transit.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
⚠️ For this stay, you must also bring your health insurance card and a European health insurance card.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- A backpack with a flexible frame and a waist belt: 25 to 30L
- A pair of hiking boots, preferably with high tops and lug soles. Please note that sneakers are prohibited as they are dangerous on these trails and uncomfortable for walking.
- A hat or scarf or cap
- A pair of sunglasses with good protection
- Protective cream for skin and lips
- For picnics: a small airtight container (like a Tupperware), a cup, a folding knife (like an Opinel), and a small fork
- Two water bottles (you should plan for at least two liters per day for hikes)
- A lightweight flashlight (preferably a headlamp)
Clothing to bring
- T-shirt, shirt, or polo shirt suitable for hiking
- A warm sweater made of wool or fleece
- A mountain jacket or a windproof jacket with a hood
- Rain protection
- Walking trousers
They traveled with us
