Goélette Alliance · Vieux-Port, Marseille
The same 1949 schooner as the day trip leaves the Vieux-Port in the early evening, anchors in a wild cove in the Frioul islands for a swim and dinner, and sails back under the city lights. Book it for the evening, the boat and the sunset, and know that it doesn't go to the mainland calanques.
Goélette Alliance runs this from the City Hall side of the Vieux-Port, at 70 Quai du Port, gate PH2, next to the ferry gate. Departure is at 19:00 in high season and 18:00 in low season (the listing's season dates don't quite agree, so trust your voucher). The schooner, built in 1949, sails out of the harbour towards the Frioul archipelago, the islands just off Marseille.
Here's the correction you won't find in many descriptions. This trip doesn't go to the calanques of the national park mainland, the white-walled coves you've seen on postcards. It goes to Frioul, which is also part of the park, and anchors in a wild cove for about two hours: a swim, a cold vegetarian buffet of local seasonal produce, one glass of Provence rosé, music, and the sunset over the sea.
You're back around 21:30, sailing in under the lit-up city. A useful bonus: on red fire-risk days, when land access to the calanques closes, the fire-risk map notes that Frioul stays open. If you want the coves and cliffs, add a daytime trip like the iconic boat tour.
70 Quai du Port, opposite the City Hall, next to the ferry gate. No refunds for no-shows.
Out of the Vieux-Port, past Fort Saint-Jean, towards Frioul.
Swim, then the vegetarian buffet and rosé as the sun goes down.
The sail back into the Vieux-Port after dark.
★★★★★It was a wonderfully nice, relaxing evening on board the sailboat, with delicious food, a great crew and a beautiful sunset.
★★★★★Exceeded expectations. A great tour from the start, with nice people and an excellent crew.
★★★★★A boat steeped in history, with a super friendly and helpful crew.
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No, not the mainland coves. It sails to the Frioul archipelago off Marseille, which is part of the national park, and anchors in a cove there. For the calanques themselves, book a daytime trip.
At 19:00 in high season and 18:00 in low season, according to the listing. It returns around 21:30. Your voucher has the exact time.
Yes: a cold vegetarian buffet of local seasonal produce and one glass of Provence rosé.
Yes, at anchor in a Frioul cove for about two hours. See our swimming guide for sea temperatures by month.
Ready to book
An evening under sail with a swim in the Frioul islands and dinner at sunset.
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