France · NATIONAL PARKS
Every trip has one free day too few. These 15 national park trips justify the slot, priced and timed so the decision takes minutes.
Set out from Ajaccio or Porticcio with a French-speaking guide for a full day along Corsica’s wild west coast. You’ll see Scandola’s volcanic cliffs, stop for two hours in remote Girolata, cruise the Gulf of Porto, and reach the red granite caves and arches of Piana and Capo Rosso.
You’ll cruise from Porto into Scandola Nature Reserve aboard a hybrid boat, stop 30 minutes in sea-only Girolata, and watch for ospreys, peregrine falcons, caves, and coastal rock. Commentary is in French. An optional 1.5-hour extension visits the Calanche de Piana.
“la réserve de scandola et les calanques de Piana . Visite de girolata ,c'est moyen”
Spend five hours hiking the Calanques with guides such as Adrien, Jade, Geoffroy, or Sebastian. Expect steep rocky paths, coastal views, plant and history talks, a shared picnic, and free time to swim, with the route changing by season and weather.
“The tour was amazing! Geoffroy is the best guide ✨ the hike was great, he showed us different plants. The route we took was super nice! he prepared a lovely picnic, and I was travelling with teenagers and they loved it!! Millions of thanks, I hope that if you take the tour, Geoffroy will be your guide. Highly recommended to do this activity!”
Meet your English or French-speaking guide at Luminy for a 7.51-kilometer Calanques hike with more than 250 meters of elevation. Expect pine woods, rosemary, limestone cliffs, a picnic, swimming, and an optional 700-meter round-trip swim to the Blue Grotto.
“We enjoyed the hike so much! Our guide Geofroy was also great and told us nice things about sights we came across. 100% recommend!”
Spend about seven hours aboard the 1949 wooden schooner Alliance, sailing from Marseille’s Old Port toward the Calanques, Riou, Château d’If, and Frioul. You’ll get coffee, rosé, a vegetarian buffet, snorkel gear, and swimming stops. The sails depend on the wind, but the boat itself is a major part of the appeal.
“Well maintained sailing ship. Staff are competent and friendly. Ample time for swimming and snorkelling in the picturesque Calanques.”
Join Planetazur for a five-hour guided hike from Marseille into the Calanques National Park. Walk toward Sugiton and Morgiou, tackle rocky slopes and a chain-assisted section, then enjoy a shared picnic and possible swim. Guides including Adrien, Alex, Yana, David, and Freddie lead small groups in English.
“WOW! What a place!this natural area is magic .Freddy was a AMAZING guide, He information and presence is vital to the full experience!! As we walked he spoke of all the things that surrounded us, with his historical insight and passion for the natural flora and fauna and the environment, I felt we received the most while we were out there!!We had a swim in the ocean,and even explored a cave, later.as we Dried on rocks taking the Mediterranean sun ,as we listened to Freddie’s lore of the Calanques he l layed out a spread of snakes and we all had a small lunch, while he explained the marine biodiversity.thankyou…”
Spend seven hours with a small group of up to 12 aboard a hybrid-electric boat from Marseille’s Old Port. Guides such as Tibo, Patrick, or François may lead the day, with coastal stories, two or three swim stops, snorkeling gear, rosé, and a fresh vegetarian lunch included.
“It was a fun boat ride. The weather was not great to be able to do the whole trip.”
Paddle from ExpéNature in La Ciotat toward the Calanques, Grand Mugel, and Île Verte on a stable sea kayak. Guides such as Elle, Romuald, and Raphaëlle lead small groups in English or other languages, with safety instruction, photos, lockers, and showers included.
“They called less than 24 hours before tour to try to reschedule for later in the day. Which i could not do becaise of departure reservations.They pffered a remtal and i could “go on my own”why would i have made a tour reservation? So disappointing. They say my refund is in process”
Set out from Pointe Rouge with EVTT Provence on a four-hour guided e-mountain bike ride. You’ll cross Château Pastré, Montagne de l’Aigle, Roy d’Espagne, and the Crête des Escampons, with views toward Sormiou. Guides speak English, French, and Spanish. Expect rocky trails, steep climbs, and a possible beach stop.
“The E-Mountainbike Tour was really nice and well organised. The guide explained everything very well. The bike i had was in a good condition. I would totally recommend to do this tour!”
Join Jean-Baptiste Rostini and Porto Linea Excursions Maritimes for a 210-minute boat tour from Porto. Choose a 33-passenger vessel or a 10-person semi-rigid boat to reach the caves, faults, and narrow passages of Piana, Capo Rosso, and Scandola, with a stop in Girolata.
“Wonderful trip and our guide and company went out of his way to make sure we got to see everything that we wanted to see, even though his boat had broken down. Very accommodating.”
Meet Bruno or Margaux near Luminy PN Calanques for a four-hour guided hike through Marseille’s protected Calanques National Park. Expect scenic viewpoints, a beach swim, local picnic foods, and stories about Marseille. Trekking poles are available, and tours run in English, French, Italian, and Spanish.
“Bruno is awesome. We had a wonderful picnic and incredible hike. The view was stunning. We really enjoyed swimming there. Definitely recommend!”
Cruise Marseille’s coast aboard a quiet hybrid-electric boat with up to 12 passengers. You’ll pass Château d’If, Frioul, Les Goudes, and Île Maïre, then stop in the Calanques and Riou archipelago for swimming and snorkeling. Captains such as Patrick and Thibault lead the English and French tour.
“We booked this trip last minute and absolutely LOVED it! The captain, Thibault, was very knowledgeable and entertaining, and the views from the boat were incredible! We also got to stop for a quick swim which was so lovely. 10/10 would recommend!! Merci!!”
Spend 8.5 hours on a semi-rigid speed boat with a French-speaking guide and captain. Visit Scandola, Girolata, Gargalo Island, and Capo Rosso, with three swim stops, a charcuterie aperitif, and two hours of free time for lunch.
“Thomas was SUPER!!!!! Great music all day that set the mood each stop as well. Wonderful information and incredible beach stops xoxoxoox”
Start near the swimming pool at TROLIB Cassis, get fitted with an electric mountain bike, helmet, lock, repair kit, and phone holder, then follow app-based routes through the Calanques. Choose easier roads or rough gravel tracks, with route advice from your host and views toward Cap Canaille.
“Very nice biketrack. Perfect to combine with a small walk/hike to the two Calanques”
Rent a kayak from ExpeNature in La Ciotat for up to seven hours and set your own route toward the Calanques, Grand Mugel, and Île Verte. You receive equipment and a paddling demonstration, with staff such as Justine helping you get prepared before you head out.
“Although we were an hour late, Justine was very kind and understanding of our tardiness. She was very lovely and gave us a good demo on how to paddle properly, and equipped us in the appropriate kit. Although we encountered some choppy waters whilst on our way to the calanques, where we got to swim around by lovely beaches. There is a possibility to visit and island with a restaurant which is very fun. We greatly enjoyed the trip. Would highly recommend, especially if the day is sunny!”
Pick a city, a coast or a cellar.
