La Ciotat - early morning hikes
Temperatures reaching the mid-30s during the day, so best set off early. Heading up out of town, first stop the Chapelle de Notre Dame de la Garde (17th Century), at an altitude of just over 100m. Magnificent views over the town and the Bec de l’Aigle cliffs.
From the Chapelle, looking to the west, you can see the cliff-top Marine Nationale Sémaphore, a military installation watching over the Mediterranean. On this site since the eighteen hundreds, and situated on top of the highest marine cliff in France (398 metres - almost 4 times the height of the Dover Cliffs, or over five times the height of Truro cathedral). A steepish climb in places, but worth it for the views.
The following morning, a walk to the Calanque de Figuerolles, then eastwards, partly on the cliffs, and partly on paths winding through the park which forms part of the municipal gardens. Closer views of the rocks forming part of the Bec de l’Aigle cliffs, and views over the Mediterranean and the Ile Verte.
The Calanque de Figuerolles and the Bec de l’Aigle…
Not an early morning walk (but it could be): on the Route de Crêtes; the coast road between La Ciotat and Cassis. Often closed due to high winds and/or fire risk, we were lucky to take this route on the way home.
