Alexis Steinman

En français, « calanque », ça veut dire grosso modo « crique rocheuse ». Mais les calanques de Marseille, c’est pas juste des rochers au bord de l’eau. Non, ici, on parle de falaises de calcaire qui se jettent dans des criques turquoise, un peu comme des fjords norvégiens, sauf que là, l’eau est chaude et le soleil tape. Il y en a 26 au total, qui forment le Parc National des Calanques, un terrain de jeu gigantesque pour les randonneurs, les nageurs, les marins et les amoureux de la nature. Entre Marseille et Cassis, ce parc, le plus grand périurbain d’Europe, fait des ravages toute l’année. Chaque Marseillais a sa calanque préférée. Envie d’une rando qui casse les jambes, d’un plongeon qui réveille ou d’un port mignon pour flâner ? Ce guide vous file les clés pour trouver la vôtre, avec en prime quelques tips pour éviter de bousiller la flore et la faune précieuses du coin. À lire aussi :  Les meilleures choses à faire à MarseilleLes meilleurs restaurants de Marseille

‘Calanques’ in French translates roughly as ‘rocky inlet’. But the calanques of Marseille aren’t just any rocks: they’re staggeringly beautiful limestone cliffs that spill into turquoise coves, like the Mediterranean’s (much warmer) answer to the Norwegian fjords. A total of 26 make up the Calanques National Park (Parc National des Calanques), a 200-square-mile treasure trove for hikers, boaters, swimmers, and nature lovers. Sprawling across Marseille and Cassis, Europe’s largest peri-urban park seduces in all seasons. Every Marseillais has their calanque of choice. Whether you’re craving a killer hike, a cool dip or a charming port to amble around, this handy guide will help you find yours – along with some advice on how to tread lightly to protect the park’s precious flora and fauna. RECOMMENDED: 📍 The best things to do in Marseille😋 The best restaurants in Marseille

Thanks to its prime perch on the Mediterranean, one of the best ways to see Marseille is by boat. Hit the high seas and it won’t take long to see why Protis – the legendary sailor said to have founded Marseille in 600 BC – was so smitten with the location. Whether you fancy an all-day jaunt to the turquoise coves of the Calanques National Park or a quick ride to one of the charming fishing villages that lie in the port city’s outskirts, there’s an outing for everyone. And thanks to Marseille’s temperate climes, you can boat year-round. Just be sure to check the weather before you plan a trip: the famous mistral wind that speeds along this part of the coast can occasionally leave you landlocked. RECOMMENDED: 📍 The best things to do in Marseille😋 The best restaurants in Marseille

We all like the idea of summertime in Europe – long, lazy days in the Mediterranean sunshine, whiling away an evening people-watching in local bars – but the reality is often much less romantic, with overtourism, sky-high prices and heatwaves blighting many a Euro Summer fantasy. But it doesn’t have to be that way. To inspire your summer holiday plans this year, we asked writers across Europe to tell us about their favourite alternative summer trip ideas. From Croatia’s quieter island-hopping route to an Estonian spa break, here’s where to head for crowd-free bliss and unsung adventures right across the continent. You’re welcome. RECOMMENDED:🏝️ The best alternative Mediterranean beach breaks🗺️ Europe’s most underrated travel destinations

Without doubt, pizza, or ‘pitze’ as we say here, is the most typical Marseillais dish. It’s our common denominator. Many of us have only eaten bouillabaisse once or twice in our lives, but each Marseillais has their own history with pizza, and there’s nothing better than eating it on the rocks in front of the sea. As a kid, I would willingly burn my tongue on slices dripping with mozzarella in our local pizza meccas. In 1962, Jean Méritan invented the pizza truck based on the frites shacks in northern France. True gathering places for locals, these trucks still play an indispensable role in the social life of each neighbourhood, and even more so on Sunday evening. Everyone has their regular pizza truck to whom they remain incredibly loyal. But there's plenty of pizza on offer in this city, truck or not. Here is the best pizza in Marseille. This guide is an excerpt from ‘Taste the World in Marseille: Marseille Cuisine by the Marseillais’ by author and photographer Vérane Frédiani. The English version, translated by Alexis Steinman, was published in November 2023. RECOMMENDED:🐟 The best restaurants in Marseille⛰️ The essential guide to Marseille’s Calanques⛵ The best boat trips from Marseille📍 The best things to do in Marseille