If you happen to go to Marseille, you will probably be disappointed. The city is so dirty , crowded and full of nothing but people of all races and colours, hurrying God knows where… If you have to be there, go to Les Calanques which are a 20 km long and 4 km wide strech of premonotories of unbelievable beauty.It is a region visited by more than 2 million visitors per year.
The Calanques belong to the Parc National des Calanques, in the Bouche-du- Rhone department of France, being the only terresetrial,marine and peri-urban park in Europe. It is also the first continental, insular and marine park in the Mediterranean, being the 10th French National Park.
The word calanque comes from the word calanca , which means inlet. The place lying along Marseilles and Cassis is an almost non existing soil with an arid climate. It has been a protected area since 1975 and it houses 900 species of plants ( sage, juniper,myrtle) as well as animals, birds and reptiles( rabbits, wild boars,foxes, the 2 m Montpellier snake, large crows, eagles and the largest lizards in Europe).There are around 60 heritage marine species. The Calanques developed in limestone, dolomite and other carbonate strata.
The idyllic beaches are sometimes unreachable because of the narrow and steep rocks.The majestic cliffs offer incredible turquoise views!