My Favorite Beaches of Provence
We are often asked of our favorite swimming escapes and beach recommendations, so we’re sharing our top spots and hidden gems for a glorious day spent at the the finest beaches of Provence. We’ve also included our favorite off-the-beaten path spots for a seaside lunch to make your daytrip escape complete… cherry on top.
Newly updated with our most recent discoveries, now is the ideal time to head to the beach and enjoy the gorgeous turquoise waters of the Calanques by boat or well-deserved swim following a hike-in. If easier access is required, the breathtaking beauty of the Lac Sainte-Croix awaits along with it’s famous Gorge du Verdon with several access points to discover. Or just simply dive right in and enjoy. With all of our selections, you can expect heavenly turquoise waters and swimmable bliss.
Calanque en Vau
This is a stunning beach, but difficult and rigorous to access. There are two hikes in, one intense 30 minute and another 2-hour hike via Port Pin to one of the most breathtaking places we’ve ever seen. This calanque features some of the highest cliffs in the area and dazzling waters, situated between La Ciotat and Marseille. The Calanque En Vau is stunning when reached by foot, which is a relatively steep hike in and down. The views from the hike and vantage points above are spectacular. If you depart from Cassis near Port Miou, you will arrive at the Calanque Port Pin first, a gorgeous destination itself. However, if you want to be royally treated for your efforts, continue 45 minutes further to En Vau. Try to arrive on the off-season in June or September, as this is part of the Calanques National Park you may need a permit to enter during the busier months, so do check ahead.
Île Verte, La Ciotat
For the more adventurous, this tiny island is accessible only by boat. This gem features a handful of calanques and amazing swimming away from the crowds. Located just 1.5 kilometers, or a 15-minute ride by navette, from La Ciotat’s Vieux Port. The navette leaves every hour in the summer months, but be sure to arrive early to secure your place. To make the escape complete, reserve a table (a few days in advance) at the island’s chilled restaurant for a perfect day trip escape for a simple but delicious grilled seafood lunch with friendly service and only the sound of the cicadas, rosé glasses clanking and waves at your feet.
Pros: Due to the limited accessibility you can truly escape the crowds and spend the day relaxing. The island is a nature sanctuary for birds and offers excellent diving, fishing and snorkelling, along with bird watching.
Cons: Don’t forget your (french) checkbook or cash, there are no credit cards accepted here, nor for the navette over. And also no public toilets which contributes to making this island slightly less accessible. Due to the island’s status as a protected nature reserve all water is brought over and there are no toilets on the island.
Porquerolles – Plage Notre Dame
Escape to the Island of Porquerolles and discover one of the finest beaches of Europe. One of our all-time favorite places, you can discover our complete guide to this area here.
Saint Croix du Verdon
A must-see destination on any tourist’s list and incredible place to spend the day in Provence. The Lac de Saint Croix and it’s Gorge du Verdon is a river canyon that is often considered to be one of Europe’s most beautiful. It is about 25 kilometres long and up to 700 meters deep. Rent either small electric boats or kayaks from the ville of Saint Croix and cruise slowly around the man-made lake. The lake color is almost unbelievable and was created by damming off the Verdon and sinking the original village of St Croix de Verdon. You may also choose to rent kayaks at the mouth of the Gorge du Verdon itself or Quinson to experience the beauty of the gorge. Prepare for a splendid natural journey through tall white limestone cliffs and turquoise waters. You may be treated with views of visiting goats along the way. Be sure to visit one of the area’s charming villages of either Saint-Croix (a personal favorite) for a relaxed visit with views over the lake or nearby Moustier-Saint-Marie for it’s dramatic cliff setting on the western entrance to the Gorges du Verdon. For the art-lovers, the village of Moustier has been a center of the pottery trade, especially faïence, for centuries and a must-stop for ceramic-lovers. A spring flows out of the cliff and creates a waterfall in town, providing water power. At twilight when the sun on a clear day strikes the south-facing cliff, a diffuse pink light glows across the village.
Plage Bestouan, Cassis
I almost didn’t include this one, as it’s my go-to beach in Provence and I sort of want to keep it somewhat secret! But it’s been a few years that I have had this list up and thought I’d share my tips. This beach in Cassis is my absolute favorite for its views of Cap Canaille, the surrounding villas and the water color. There are two great lounge chair rental places on this beach in the summer that serve fresh catch lunches overlooking the sea. It’s definitely not a secret… but there’s a quieter spot off to the right over the slippery rocks with views out over the port and lighthouse of Cassis, where you can slip right into the water away from the crowds. Although you need to be a bit more adventurous and be careful… it’s slippery! You can also find another rocky inlet on the Presqu-ile parking lot that offers fabulous views and a place to swim for the more adventurous.
Calanque de Port Pin
Another favorite in Cassis, but this one requires a 30 minute hike-in from the Port Miou area. The hike is a fabulous way to acquaint yourself with the calanques and offers an easier access than many of the other calanque hikes in National Park located between Cassis and Marseille. Follow the trails that hug the coastline for the best views over the bays and Cap Canaille until you reach a very slipper rock staircase. Climb up and over, to discover this beautiful “calanque” surrounded by Aleppo pines and have yourself a beautiful swim. Best to avoid the busy summer months especially from 11am – 4pm. Either start out early or hike in on the off seasons, swimming can be had from April to November, depending on your tolerance!
Mugel Calanques & the Botanic Park, La Ciotat
Warm, clear waters with little waves, ideal for an early morning snorkel or reserve a table in advance at Le Mugel Restaurant for a spectacular end of day sunset reflected on the Ile Verte (Green Island – listed above) under the sweetly scented fig trees. The quaint, no-frills beachside restaurant offers simple plates of fresh caught fish (loup is great), grilled gambas, mussels and steaks with a changing daily menu. Open for lunch only and cash required. The Mugel Botanic park is a real local treasure and offers two lesser-known calanques in the region tucked away in the recently re-birthed yachting town of La Ciotat, complete with its own protected natural tropical gardens.
The park, 17 hectares in size and is at the foot of a massive rock, Le Bec d’Aigle (Eng: The Eagle’s Beak), 155 meters high, which shelters the site from the wind and offers a spectacular lunar landscape backdrop, while the Mediterranean warms it in the winter, and keeps the temperature down in the summer. The tropical gardens contain thirty different species of palm trees, as well as mimosa, bougainvillia, bamboo, banana, and other tropical plants. It also features a garden of aromatic plants.
