A La Française · Aix-en-Provence
A small minibus collects you in Aix-en-Provence, stops on Cap Canaille for the clifftop view and leaves you two hours or so in Cassis. It's a land trip with a boat on the side: if you want the calanques by sea, you buy the port boat ticket yourself at the harbour.
The operator, trading as A La Française (Tylene Transport Tourisme), runs an air-conditioned minibus for at most eight people, with a live guide in English and French. You meet outside the Aix-en-Provence tourist office, drive south, and climb the Route des Crêtes to Cap Canaille for a photo stop of about 30 minutes. The listing calls it Europe's highest sea cliff. It isn't: at 394 metres it is France's highest, and Norway, the Faroes and Ireland have taller ones.
Then come about two to two and a half hours in Cassis. That's enough time to walk the port, eat, and, if you want, take one of the harbour boats into the calanques. The listing is muddled about that boat, but its description is clear that the ticket is not included. The Cassis tourist office lists the port boats from the kiosk: in 2026, 3 calanques in 1 hour for EUR 19, up to 9 calanques to Sormiou in 2 h 20 for EUR 33. Tickets are sold on the day only, and we earn nothing on them.
One risk to know. The Route des Crêtes closes in strong mistral and on red fire-risk days in summer, and the listing says there's no refund if the road or the boat is closed by weather. Markets run in Cassis on Wednesdays and Fridays, which makes those good days to go. If you're in Marseille rather than Aix, skip the minibus and take a boat straight from the city, like the iconic boat tour.
Outside the Aix-en-Provence Tourist Information Center.
Through the Provence countryside towards the coast.
A photo stop on the Route des Crêtes, high above Cassis bay.
The port, lunch, the market on Wednesdays and Fridays, or a port boat into the calanques.
Drop-off back in the centre, about 4.5 hours after you left.
★★★★★Susannah was an awesome tour guide and I loved this trip.
★★★★★Jesse was an excellent guide pointing out places of interest.
★★★★★The tour was beautiful. It started on time.
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No. The listing describes it as an optional extra and says the cruise ticket isn't included. You buy it at the Cassis harbour kiosk: 3 calanques in 1 hour cost EUR 19 in 2026. See our Cassis boat guide.
No. At 394 metres it is France's highest sea cliff. Croaghaun in Ireland, Hornelen in Norway and Cape Enniberg in the Faroes are higher.
About two to two and a half hours, according to the listing. That's enough for lunch or a one-hour port boat, not both comfortably.
The road closes in strong winds and on red fire-risk days from June to September. The listing says there's no refund for weather closures, so check the forecast. Our park rules guide covers the closures.
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Cap Canaille's clifftop view and free time in Cassis, where the port boats leave for the calanques.
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