There’s no way we can talk about climbing in the South of France without mentioning the Céüze site and its legendary cliff, which has progressively become one of the most mythical climbing spots for climbers from all over the world. Even though there are many difficult routes, the site also has a whole variety of more accessible ones. If you prefer to be accompanied and oriented on the best routes, you can contact Céüs’Escalade. In the Luberon, another cliff has seen world high-level big shots: Buoux. But, with its 500 routes, it has become more popular and perfectly accessible to amateurs. Need an instructor? Contact Aptitudes Escalade in Apt. In the Bouches-du-Rhône, and particularly in Marseille, climbers always find something. Many of them will recommend climbing in the Calanques, both for the variety of routes and also for the setting: it’s an incredible experience to climb with a view of the sea. In a slightly less maritime atmosphere, but something which is well and truly Provencal, the Montagne Sainte-Victoire is a privileged setting for climbing, with routes for all tastes and levels. To discover supervized climbing around Marseille, contact the Bureau des Moniteurs des Calanques or the Monde Vertical teams who will be delighted to take you with them in complete safety.
Plance A Voile Marseille Bouches Du Rhone Amouton6 Olympic sports to do in the South of France
Climb in the most beautiful sites in the South of France
Hoist your sails
from the Camargue to the Giens peninsula
Planche Mer Almanarre Hyeres CmarchandKnown for its salt marshes, horses and vast beaches, the Camargue is also a spot windsurfers love. You’ll see them on the East beach of Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer and the Beauduc beach, both good spots for beginners and experts. For an introduction to windsurfing, discover the incredible feeling of gliding through the water with the Camargue Nautique Club for private or group lessons. On the way to Marseille, stop at the Jaï spot on the Etang de Berre, on a long strip of sand near Marignane with perfect wind. This is where the events of the World Windsurfing Cup regularly take place. Contact the Club Nautique Marignanais for a lesson! In Marseille you will also find a wide choice of sailing schools at La Pointe Rouge, such as ATSCAF, for example. Further afield, on the Giens peninsula, the L’Almanarre and La Bergerie beaches are well-known to windsurfers for their optimum conditions. Contact HWO (Hyères Windsurf Organisation) for a lesson or just to rent a board. For another type of setting, the Lake of Serre-Ponçon, which hosted the national Tour Voile competition, offers a sublime natural setting for windsurfers. For beginners, the lake in Embrun is perfect for a gentle introduction to windsurfing. On the spot, see the Club Nautique Alpin de Serre-Ponçon for advice and introduction. For more seasoned windsurfers, let’s meet up in the water! With the off at the Eaux-Douces or Boscodon beaches.
Surf on the southern waves
No, the west coast is not the only one with great surfing spots! The Var coast is also well-known for several spots with optimum conditions. In Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer, the Les Lecques spot and its south-facing waves has built itself a reputation as being the most beautiful pointbreak in the French Mediterranean. The good news is that the vast 1.4 km long sand bank is big enough for surfers and swimmers to share the superb bay of Les Lecques. For a lesson with an instructor, knock on the door of the L.E.C. Surf Club! Another famous spot: Brutal Beach. Also called Bonnegrâce beach, this is a spot which often has some beautiful waves and attracts many surfers, especially when the Mistral wind is blowing. Find out all you need to know at the Six-Fours Surf Club, located in the harbour of Le Brusc, and learn how to tame the waves of the Var… or just go for a paddle outing! If you’re in the Marseille area, our advice is to go to the Côte Bleue and the Corniche spot in Sausset-les-Pins. Here, the waves are among some of the easiest around!
Paddle along the Verdon
The Gorges du Verdon is certainly one of the most sought-after places for an outing in a canoe. That’s why, for a more peaceful experience, we recommend that you visit the Basses-Gorges. You’ll find them between the Lake of Quinson and the Lake of Esparron, where Camping de la Beaume and Verdon Mystères have canoes to hire. Drift along the quiet waters or face the tumult of the rapids. Set out on the magnificent turquoise water of the Verdon and admire the rocks and vegetation along its banks. Another spot not to be missed: l’Argentière-La-Bessée. Here the best kayakers have contended during several French and European championships, and also a World Cup. Regularly, the white water sports champions come and train on the Durance rapids. Now you too can face the most mythical eddies of the Hautes-Alpes and France, accompanied by Les Vagues à Bonds, the local kayaking school.
Pedal along the roads of the Alpes-Maritimes
The Nice backcountry is full of passes, paths and mountain roads which make it the ideal playground for cycling enthusiasts. Among the most recommended itineraries, you have the tour de Vence, which will take you through the pretty villages of Saint-Paul-de-Vence and Vence, and also the Matisse chapel, and even the climb up to the Col d’Eze, for more seasoned cyclists. If you prefer mountain biking, head for Sospel and the Vallée de la Bevera, where there are several itineraries of different levels. One of the easiest is No. 8, from Sospel, which lets you explore the surrounding villages. For a more intermediate level, Itinerary No. 12 goes down the Vallon de Galambert in the middle of beautiful wild landscapes. And lastly, if you are a confirmed cyclist and you want to climb the mythical cols of the Tour de France, head for the roads of the Alps which lead to the Col d’Allos, the Col d’Izoard and the Col du Galibier. Keep pedalling!
Cycliste Col Izoard Rfabregue
Hit the ball
on the most beautiful greens of the South of France
Golf Pont Royal Bouches Du Rhone SlepelleyWith more than sixty golf courses on its territory, the South of France offers superb conditions to work on your swing. North of the Estérel, in the Pays de Fayence, the Terre Blanche golf course has committed to an environmentally respectful approach as it has made its course in such a way as to collect rainwater and uses eco-responsible materials. Also highly committed, the Domaine de Manville golf course in Les Baux-de-Provence is the first French Ecocert labelled golf course. If you want to follow in the footsteps of the greatest golfers, head for the Golf International in Pont Royal, one of the best European golf courses, with its course designed by the famous golfer Severiano Ballesteros. On the hills of the Vaucluse and a mere 3km from the picturesque village of l’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, the Golf de Saumane offers magnificent viewppints of the Luberon and the Alpilles. Not far away, just next to Avignon, you can get an introduction to golf with the UGolf Avignon Châteaublanc instructors. The “Ventoux” 9-hole course is perfectly suited to beginners, whereas more seasoned golfers can set out on the “Alpilles” 18-hole course.
