Calanques - where dreams turn into reality!

Directly south of Marseille, and to the west of Cassis, is the wild coastline of the Massif des Calanques. Some of France's most beautiful and dramatic scenery can be found along this 12-mile (19km) stretch of coastline; the sea has cut gorges, up to 2 kilometres deep, into the limestone. White limestone cliffs overhang the sea and attract rock climbers and deep-sea divers. The mountains rise up 1,850ft (564m) and are a haven for climbers. Each of the fascinating bays is only accessible either by ship or by foot and has its own character, so it can be worthwhile to discover them all if you have the time to decide which one you like best.

There are several small beaches set among the rocks, with pine trees climbing the hill behind the beach, for example at En Vau and Port Pin, where you can swim between the cliffs - very dramatic. Besides spectacular beaches, the Calanques Because of the clear turquoise-coloured waters of great quality, the calanques also developed to a popular place for taking a bath and for diving!

The Calanques create anther phenomenon, which is advantageous for yachting and sailing and any other kind of watersports: the temperature is regulated by the sea, the conservation and reflection of the mountains and stones and it prevents from the strong and cold northerly wind.

In order from Cassis the calanques are: Port Miou (easily reached on foot from Cassis), Port Pin, En Vau, L'Oule, Devenson, L'Oeil de Verre, Sugiton and Morgiou.

The highlights of the Calanques:

- Sormiou, with its beach, seafood eateries and small harbour. Sormiou is separated from another small but enchanting settlement at..

- Morgiou by Cap Morgiou, which offers a panoramic belvedere with splendid views of both the Calanques and the eastern side of the massif. At Morgiou there are tiny creeks for great swimming and the underwater Cosquer cave at Morgiou even contains some of the oldest cave paintings in the world, but unfortunately the entrance is 35 metres under water.

- Cassis: If you are searching for a place to stay overnight, the port town Cassis is the perfect place. Rebuilt on the old ruins in the 18th century, Cassis is an ancient little village, which does not receive the publicity of Nice or Cannes, yet it is absolutely stunning, with a pretty fishing port and some great fish restaurants (for example Restaurant Le Bonaparte)