Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Very popular Les Calanques

The few Marseillais we spoke with all urged us to go to Les Calanques (mini fjords).  Of course, being a fan of all gorges, it's already high on our list.  We took bus M8 to the popular seaside town of Cassis, a convenient place to check off both Les Calanques and Cap Canaille (2/3 of the walk was on GR98). 

Les Calanques were every bit as beautiful as I expected, which also meant there were a lot of visitors.  There were people of all ages and shapes walking the trails, rather plunking themselves on the first spit of sandy beach they came, the American way.  For John, the outing was more anthropologically interesting.  If we had another day, we'd be investigating kayaking.

Rode the metro a couple of stops to pick up bus M8 to Cassis. Gotta love a metro that has an aquarium down beside the tracks at one of its stops.
Cassis, France

Bus M8 passed the Unit D'Habitation on the way to Cassis. Bonus.
Cassis, France

Cassis Port.
Calanques de Cassis - Cassis, France

Calanques de Cassis - Cassis, France

A small beach at Cassis, not a calanque beach.
Calanques de Cassis - Cassis, France

Following the trail to Calanque En Vau.
Calanques de Cassis - Cassis, France

Calanques de Cassis - Cassis, France

We are not alone. But the trail would get crowded then thin. Folks would stop to swim or to picnic and there are many places to do so.
Calanques de Cassis - Cassis, France

A young man offered to take our photo. Sure!
Cassis, France

The view from our lunch spot. Can you spot the kayakers and the 4 rock climbers?...
Calanques de Cassis - Cassis, France

...Or in this shot?
Calanques de Cassis - Cassis, France

Sun-Ling risks her life stepping out onto a ledge to take some panos with her phone...
Calanques de Cassis - Cassis, France

...while John stays behind to guard the lunch bag.
Cassis, France

Calanque En Vau Cassis, France

Calanque En Vau Cassis, France

We head back to Cassis after sitting for a few minutes at the official Calanque En Vau Viewpoint.
Calanques de Cassis - Cassis, France

Calanques de Cassis - Cassis, France

Back in Cassis, we head up to Cap Canaille which is billed as the highest sheer-drop cliff in Europe at 400 meters straight down. We walk on the road and it's a pretty easy 400 meter ascent in about an hour.
Calanques de Cassis - Cassis, France

The view to Cassis from about 3/5ths of the way up.
Calanques de Cassis - Cassis, France

Calanques de Cassis - Cassis, France

Calanques de Cassis - Cassis, France

And from the top. Wow!
Calanques de Cassis - Cassis, France

Calanques de Cassis - Cassis, France

Calanques de Cassis - Cassis, France

Calanques de Cassis - Cassis, France

Panorama above Cassis, France

And the view EAST towards Ciotat and Toulon beyond.
Calanques de Cassis - Cassis, France

Almost back down.
Calanques de Cassis - Cassis, France

An older model Citroen grinds up a steep section.
Calanques de Cassis - Cassis, France

And finally, the view back to Cap Canaille through the M8 bus window.
Calanques de Cassis - Cassis, France



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