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Riht off the coast of Marseille there are very special and unique geological formations which have attracted millions tourists to the coasts of France.

A calanque (or calanche as they are known in Corsican) is made up of a geologic formation in the form of a deep valley with steep slopes, while part of it is submerged in the sea.
The most popular examples of this formation can be found in the Massif des Calanques in the Bouches-du-Rhone departement. This range sprawls for 20 km in length and 4 km in width along the coast of Marseille and Cassis, the highest point is in Marseilleveyre (432 m) and Mont Puget (565 m). Similar formations can also be seen on the French Riviera and off the island of Corsica (see Calanches de Piana).

Among the calanques of the Massif des Calanques are the Calanque de Sormiou, the Calanque de Morgiou, the Calanque d'En-Vau, the Calanque de Port-Pin and the Calanque de Sugiton.
Calanques are in fact remnants of ancient river mouths formed mostly during the era of Tertiary. Later, during quaternary glacifications, as glaciers swept by, they further deepened those valleys which would eventually (at the end of the last glacier) were invaded by the sea and become calanques.

Their composition can greatly vary depending on their location:
Marseille calanques are formed from tertiary limestone.

Ecosystem
The calanques have a particular ecosystem, very interesting from biological and ecological point of view. Soil practically does not exist there. The limestone cliffs are cut of numerous cracks into which the roots of plants are anchored. There are evergreen shrubs such as sage, juniper and myrtle. It is similar to heath in many aspects, but with taller shrubs, no higher than 2-4 m; the heath is no more than 0.1 - 0.4 m

The calanques are home rabbits, foxes, and many birds like large crows and the Bonelli eagle, as well as many reptiles and wild boars.

The calanques between Marseille and Cassis are famous for the panoramas and breath-taking views (such as the Corniche des Cretes and Cap Canaille) A large number of hikers visit the area, following numerous pre-marked trails. Rock-climbers also train at the calanques. Unfortunately, this increased human flow has created problems for the delicate equilibrium of the ecosystem there.

Most of the calanques are closed in the summer against the odds of fire during the dry season.

If you decide to visit them, bring water, as there is no water source.The best tiem to visit is March - May.

You can take a boat either from Marseille, Cassis or La Ciotat, and get ready for excessive sight-seeing!