The Calanques - blue sea and white rock

The Calanques is an area just east of Marseille and consists of a series of fjords (calanque) in the limestone rock. The contrast of the white limestone and the turquoise-blue sea is fantastic.

Don't you just want to get in that water?

Geoff and Laetitia - the hiking is relatively easy and accessible

 The calanques have a particular ecosystem, as soil is almost non-existent there, and the limestone cliffs instead contain numerous cracks into which the roots of plants are anchored. In places where cliffs are less vertical, their vegetation is a classical Mediterranean maquis, typically consisting of densely-growing evergreen shrubs such as sage, juniper and myrtle. It is similar to fynbos in many aspects, but with taller shrubs, typically 2-4 m high. 

Ruggardly beautiful scenery

Most of the Calanques end in a little beach with fishing boats pulled up.

There is no freshwater in the Calanque, so carrying water is essential.

The inlets are very popular with bathers and boats.

Geoff and Annie at Callelongue, a little town in one of the Calangues

The limestone often makes fantastic features.

Sunset :)