Tour of the Calanques of Marseille-Cassis
From the Old Port of Marseille, we set course for the southern harbor, heading toward the gateway to the Calanques. Along the way, we pass through the spectacular Baie des Singes, a natural passage between Île Maïre and Cap Croisette, where the sea and wind shape a magnificent landscape.
Stretching over more than 20 km of coastline between Marseille and Cassis, the Calanques offer a unique landscape: limestone cliffs, hidden coves, and small fishing ports with traditional cabins. A true natural sanctuary, this massif became a National Park in 2012, to which the Bruine Beer has privileged access.
Under sail, we glide past these wonders like the first explorers in search of new horizons. Our routes take us to exceptional sites: the mysterious Blue Grotto, the Capelan Cave, and of course the legendary Cosquer Cave (now inaccessible).
The Calanques tell a millennia-old story, shaped by erosion and the accumulation of marine sediments that have formed this spectacular landscape. Here, every cliff and every cove is a fragment of the past, frozen in stone, and an invitation to escape.
List of the Calanques from West to East – Source Wikipedia: Calanque de Callelongue, Calanque de la Mounine,
Calanque de Marseilleveyre,
Calanque de Podestat,
Calanque de l’Escu, Calanque de Sormiou, Calanque de la Triperie, Calanque de Morgiou, Calanque de Sugiton,
Calanque du Devenson,
Calanque de l’Oule, Calanque d’En-Vau, Calanque de Port-Pin, Calanque de Port-Miou
The Bay of Marseille and the Frioul Islands
From l’Estaque to Les Goudes, passing through the Frioul Archipelago, Bruine Beer invites you to discover Marseille at its finest: from the sea.
“Marseille, to tell the truth, can only truly be loved this way—arriving by sea. (…) When the harbor opens its arms to you, then, and only then, do you grasp the eternal meaning of this city. Hospitality.”
— Jean-Claude Izzo
At the gates of the Phocaean city, the Frioul Islands rise—four limestone blocks shaped by the mistral, bearing witness to a rich maritime history. In the past, Pomègues and Ratonneau welcomed ships arriving from Africa and Asia for quarantine. Further on stands the Château d’If, an imposing fortress built by Francis I, watching over the island of Degaby—immortalized by Alexandre Dumas in The Count of Monte Cristo. Sailing aboard the Bruine Beer is to rediscover Marseille like the first explorers, lulled by the song of the waves and the echoes of the past.
Links about Marseille and its Harbor – Sources from Wikipedia: The Frioul Archipelago, Pomègues Island, Ratonneau Island, Château d’If, L’Estaque, Vallon des Auffes, Les Goudes.
Book my seatThe Riou Archipelago
From the sea, a breathtaking panorama unfolds before us: from the wild Calanques of Île Maïre to the majestic Bec de l’Aigle. Aboard the Bruine Beer, we sail toward these unspoiled landscapes, accessible only by boat.
We drop anchor in privileged mooring spots like the calanque of Monasterio, Fontagne, or Pouars, in the heart of a nature reserve where marine life thrives. Thanks to the no-take zones established by the Calanques National Park, fish and marine species flourish, offering a fascinating underwater spectacle.
The Riou Archipelago, also known as the Island of Birds, is a unique refuge in the Mediterranean. Rare species such as the Scopoli’s shearwater, the Yelkouan shearwater, and the storm petrel nest here, in an environment listed as part of Europe’s natural heritage.
But these islands are not only an ecological treasure—they are also the cradle of underwater archaeology. As early as 1952, Commander Jacques Cousteau and Professor Fernand Benoît carried out pioneering excavations here, uncovering ancient shipwrecks and their precious cargoes of amphorae—evidence of maritime trade routes dating back over 2,000 years.
Sailing here means diving into a world beyond time, where history meets wild nature. Bruine Beer takes you there.
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The Calanques of the Blue Coast
To the west of Marseille, the Côte Bleue stretches from L’Estaque to La Couronne, bordered by shimmering waters that gave it its name. Sheltered from the Mistral, this unspoiled coastline offers a preserved alternative to the famous calanques of Marseille and Cassis.
Less crowded but just as beloved by the locals, the beaches and calanques of the Côte Bleue are a paradise for divers and nature lovers. Every year, the oursinades bring together food enthusiasts to enjoy the sea’s treasures in a warm, festive atmosphere.
With limited access by land, the sea remains the best way to explore this authentic coastline. Aboard the Bruine Beer, we sail past the picturesque little ports of La Vesse, Niolon, Méjean, Figuières, and La Redonne—true havens of peace where time seems to stand still. Further on, from Carry-le-Rouet to La Couronne, the coastline softens and reveals wide stretches of golden sandy beaches, perfect for a sunny stopover.
Sailing along the Côte Bleue means discovering another side of Marseille—between hidden coves, charming villages, and breathtaking views of the Marseille harbor and the Frioul Archipelago.
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