The Calanque D’En Vau situated between Marseille and Cassis is a popular place for tourists and locals alike, well surrounded by steep cliffs and sandy beaches, offering numerous vantage points. Great numbers of hikers and tourists are frequently visiting this area. These cliffs are used as training spots for rock climbers.
Therefore; the excessive use of these cliffs has posed problems of substantial damage to this subtle microhabitat. However; most of the Calanques are closed to the public during the summer seasons mainly from July through September, due to the risks of a forest fire that often happens during the dry season.
Therefore the best time to visit Calanques is maybe March through May when temperatures are quite fresh and bearable, unlike autumn and winter. The rain is usually quite rare here, as there are no fresh water sources available in the Calanques, it is advised to carry large supplies of water, particularly during the hot summer to avoid serious dehydration.
Boat tours are also available starting either from Marseille, Cassis, or La Ciotat, which are offering some remarkable sight views. National Geographic has asked their Facebook fans what their favorite summer water spots are, and the reply is Calanque d’En Vau near Marseille, France. D’En Vau is one of quite a few Calanques in the south of France.
These Calanques (with the partial exception of Port Miou) were officially declared a National Park in April 2012, and there’re restrictions on specific sporting activities such as hunting and fishing. The extraordinary topography of the Calanques makes it difficult to get to several of them, except by boat.
Even on days when access is authorized, the intense heat amplified by the sun and reflected by the sea and the white rocks will make hiking unpleasant in the middle of the day. Please be sure, there’re no restaurants at any of the three Calanques near Cassis. So take plenty of water along with headgear, sunblock, and other necessary equipment.
If the weather is permitting, then you can walk to all three Calanques from the center of Cassis. The first is to Port Miou, which you can reach in half an hour from the Cassis harbor front to the top of the Calanques. Port Pin is half an hour from Port Miou and En Vau is another hour further. So overall two-hour hike each way from Cassis Harbor. You can reach there by Car, Bus, and Train. Local peoples are most familiar with the weather but they’d also check the weather forecasts before setting out their plans.
