By boat
From the harbour, the boat trip lets you take in several calanques in one outing, effortlessly, with viewpoints impossible to reach any other way.
The Bistrot de Nino journal
Visiting the calanquesof Cassis
Between white cliffs and turquoise waters, the calanques are among the most beautiful landscapes of the Mediterranean. From the harbour, just steps from our sea-view terrace, they're discovered by boat, on foot or by kayak.
Cliffs and turquoise waters
The calanques of Cassis,a unique setting
The calanques of Cassis form a succession of narrow coves, nestled between high limestone cliffs and open onto a deep blue sea. This wild landscape, protected within the Calanques National Park, stretches along the coast between Cassis and Marseille and draws visitors every year to admire a setting unlike any other in France.
The whole character of the place lies in this contrast: the white rock, the pines clinging to the slopes and the clarity of the water. Each cove has its own personality — some are reached on foot after a walk, others reveal themselves only from the sea. Enough to understand why Cassis is inseparable from its calanques.
The starting point
Setting off to explorefrom the harbour
Cassis harbour is the natural starting point to visit the calanques. This is where the pleasure boats moor, where the hikers set off and where you prepare a kayak outing. Around the quays, cafés, shops and terraces bring the village to life, in a Mediterranean atmosphere faithful to the spirit of the place.
Set at 1 Quai Jean-Jacques Barthélemy, Le Bistrot de Nino sits ideally to start or end a day in the calanques. Here you'll find the largest terrace in Cassis, shaded and open onto the sea, to settle before boarding or on your return from the trip.
The must-sees
Port-Miou, Port-Pinand En-Vau
Three calanques concentrate most of the visits from Cassis. Port-Miou, the closest, unfolds a long fjord lined with boats, easy to reach on foot from the harbour. Port-Pin, a little further, hides a small beach sheltered by pines, ideal for a quiet break by the water.
En-Vau is perhaps the most spectacular: a cove framed by dizzying cliffs and dazzling turquoise water. Reaching it on foot takes a little more effort, but the reward matches the landscape. Together, these three coves give a fine overview of the richness of the Cassis coastline.
To suit your mood
How to visitthe calanques
By boat, by kayak or on foot: everyone has their way of discovering the calanques. Here are the three most common approaches from Cassis, to choose depending on the day and the weather.
01 02 By kayak
Sea kayaking offers a more intimate approach, close to the water and right up against the cliffs, for lovers of gentle thrills.
03 On foot
The trails link the calanques through the scrubland and pine woods. In summer, access may be restricted for fire risk: bring water, good shoes and check conditions before setting off.
After the walk
Carry on the visitat Le Bistrot de Nino
After a morning in the calanques, nothing beats a meal of fresh fish and Mediterranean cuisine facing the sea. On the harbour, Le Bistrot de Nino fillets the whole fish in front of you at the table, in the house tradition.
A local institution since 1962, the restaurant welcomes you facing the calanques to round off the day. Take a look at our menu before you come, or book your table right on the quay.
Everything worth knowing before you sit down is gathered on the restaurant in Cassis, on the harbour page.
Also worth a look
Plan your day in Cassis
To plan your visit to the calanques and the harbour, explore our other pages and book your table at Le Bistrot de Nino.
Good to know
Your questions about the calanques of Cassis
What are the main calanques of Cassis to visit?
The three best known from Cassis are Port-Miou, Port-Pin and En-Vau. Port-Miou is the closest and most accessible, Port-Pin offers a small beach sheltered by pines, and En-Vau stands out for its spectacular cliffs and turquoise water.
How do you get to the calanques from Cassis harbour?
You can visit them by pleasure boat from the harbour, by sea kayak or on foot along the hiking trails. Cassis harbour is the departure point for most outings, just steps from Le Bistrot de Nino.
Can you reach the calanques on foot all year round?
In summer, access on foot may be restricted or closed depending on fire risk. It's advisable to check the Calanques National Park access conditions before setting off, and to bring water and good shoes.
Where can you eat after visiting the calanques of Cassis?
On Cassis harbour, Le Bistrot de Nino welcomes you on its sea-view terrace for a meal of fresh fish and Mediterranean cuisine. The whole fish is presented then filleted in front of you at the table.
How much time should you plan to visit the calanques?
Allow half a day for a boat trip or a walk to Port-Pin, and a full day to reach En-Vau on foot. Ideally, round off the outing with lunch on the harbour, a stone's throw from the return from the calanques.
Book
Book your tableafter the calanques
Planning an outing in the calanques followed by lunch on the harbour? Write to us to book your table at Le Bistrot de Nino, on the largest terrace in Cassis facing the sea, or to ask your questions. We reply quickly.
Visiting the calanques of Cassis and lunch at Le Bistrot de Nino
The calanques of Cassis — Port-Miou, Port-Pin, En-Vau — are among the most beautiful landscapes of the Mediterranean, between limestone cliffs and turquoise waters, within the Calanques National Park. They can be visited by boat, by kayak or on foot, from Cassis harbour.
A few steps from the boarding point, on Quai Jean-Jacques Barthélemy, Le Bistrot de Nino carries on the walk with a generous sea cuisine and fresh fish. A local institution since 1962, passed down over three generations and backed by many Google reviews, the restaurant welcomes you on the largest terrace in Cassis, shaded and open onto the sea.
A table awaits youon Cassis harbour
After discovering the calanques, book your lunch at Le Bistrot de Nino and savour the Mediterranean facing the harbour.