A nautical journey through Provence

Just a few minutes off the coast of Marseille, you would easily be forgiven for thinking you’ve reached the other side of the world… Hop on the boat bus at the Vieux-Port (Old Port) to the island of Frioul. A natural gem on the city’s doorstep, the archipelago, comprising a string of wild, limestone coves, offers spectacular views over Marseille. Emerging from the island of If, the infamous Château d’If offers a captivating sight. A former fortress turned prison, the chateau owes its worldwide fame to Alexandre Dumas’ novel The Count of Monte Cristo. As you leave Marseille and head along Étang de Berre lagoon, you will come to Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, where the river meets the Mediterranean. A vast, unspoiled expanse of fine sand, Plage Napoléon is particularly popular with sand yachting and kitesurfing enthusiasts. The perfect place to admire sunset over the sea…

A world-famed place of pilgrimage and powerful spiritual hub with deeply-entrenched Christian and gypsy traditions, Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer remains a fabulously authentic town. From Port Gardian, boats whisk visitors away to discover the exceptional biotope of the Camargue Regional Nature Reserve, overflowing with lakes, marshes, lagoons, rice fields and salt flats. The reserve is home to a wealth of fauna, including the iconic pink flamingo, Camargue bull and white Camargue horse. Next stop: Martigues. The Miroir aux Oiseaux, a waterway lined with colourful façades and bobbing old fishing boats, brims with irresistible charm. A few minutes away, the wild Plage de Carro beach, coveted by surfers, offers a striking contrast to the hustle and bustle of the town centre. Last but not least, your day winds up with the captivating sight of the Calanques fjords, plunging into the turquoise waters of the Med…

The charm of Hyères’ historic quarter, with its ramparts, sun-kissed exotic gardens and many thousands of palm trees, offers a compelling introduction to this gorgeous town. And one can only marvel at the incredibly beautiful setting of Plage de l’Almanarre. Nestled between the Mediterranean Sea and saltmarshes, this vast, 5-km stretch of sand rolls out between the mainland and Giens peninsula. Swept by the Mistral wind, it is a favourite playground for windsurfers and kitesurfers. As you continue east along the coast, you will come to Bormes-les-Mimosas, where Brégançon Fort, the official residence of the French Presidents, stands proudly on a rocky outcrop. From Le Lavandou to La Londe-les-Maures, this portion of the Var coast offers up a magical show of turquoise waters, fine sandy beaches and secluded coves.

Nestled in a bay surrounded by hills, Sanary-sur-Mer is heralded for its delicious lifestyle. The colourful port, with its traditional fishing boats and lively terraces, forms the beating heart of the village and is  the venue for many Provençal markets. After admiring the fortified tower, built in circa 1330, it’s time to step inside the Musée de la Plongée Frédéric Dumas, a diving museum dedicated to the pioneer of deep-sea exploration. Dumas, Jacques-Yves Cousteau and Philippe Tailliez formed a talented and intrepid trio called the “Mousquemers”. Neighbouring Bandol, home to world-renowned vineyards, is also steeped in typical southern charm. After exploring its shaded streets, hop on a boat to the nearby island of Bendor for a peaceful escape among coves, coastal footpaths and art galleries.

The birthplace of pétanque and cinema – the inventor of moving film, Louis Lumière, presented the cinematograph to the public at the Palais Lumière for the first time in 1895 -, the town of La Ciotat boasts unparalleled scenic beauty and is home to two of the most beautiful fjords in Calanques National Park, Europe’s only peri-urban national park: Calanque du Mugel and Calanque de Figuerolles. The former is lined with a little pebble beach sheltered from winds and lush vegetation harbouring a botanical and exotic garden. The latter, basking under a cliff resembling an eagle’s head, is famed for its flaming red rocks and crystal-clear waters – a haven for diving, swimming and kayaking fans.