En-Vau Cove: reviews, price and practical tips

+19
recos
4.7/5 7 reviews
Calanque d’En-Vau, 13260 Cassis, France
Calanque d’En-Vau, 13260 Cassis, France
Boat tours from $40*
Booking recommended
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Calanque d'En-Vau

Visiting En-Vau Cove

A postcard landscape

Located south of Marseille, the stunning En-Vau Cove is known for its turquoise waters and scenery that looks straight off a postcard. It is part of the Parc National des Calanques (Calanques National Park), the first in Europe to encompass land, sea, and peri-urban areas. Because of this status, it is protected, and access can be restricted based on weather conditions or wildfire risks. Check the Mes Calanques app before you head out.

Tips for the best experience

The hike in is challenging, so bring sturdy shoes and plenty of water. En-Vau Cove remains one of the most popular spots in the region, and its pebble beach becomes crowded during the summer months. Because it is tucked into a deep, narrow canyon, the beach gets direct sun in the morning and early afternoon, but falls into shadow earlier than the surrounding areas. The steep limestone walls are a magnet for experienced rock climbers. The Via Cordata offers a 6 km vertical route starting from Cassis, featuring rope sections across the plateau de Castelviel (Castelviel plateau) and views of the rugged coastline.

A great alternative is to reach En-Vau Cove by sea kayak or paddleboard from the calanque de Port-Pin (Port-Pin Cove) near Cassis. If you prefer to hike, it is a 30-minute walk from the Port-Miou parking area.

A quick warning: wild boars occasionally wander onto the beach. Do not approach or feed them, as they are wild animals. Hikers can head to the belvédère (lookout point) to take in one of the best views of the cove from 170 meters above the beach.

Boat tours from $40*Booking recommended
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Reviews of En-Vau Cove

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Summary of 7 reviews
4.7/5
Average rating
+19
Total recommendations

Ratings by visit type

With family
4.3
As a couple
5
With friends
4.7

Avygeo ranking

#186
in the world
#167
in Europe
#88
in France
#2
in Cassis

Stunning

This cove is truly stunning. You get the feeling of being at the end of the world in a setting that is still very natural and wild. The only small downside is the crowds. As soon as the weather is nice, it is packed. If possible, try to come off-season to really enjoy it.

28
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Gorgeous...off-season

Like many of the calanques, En-Vau is packed with people as soon as the weather is nice. Renting a boat off-season seems like the best option to really enjoy this amazing natural setting. It is also ideal in the winter with hiking boots, and without young children of course.

5
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A gem worth the effort

Gorgeous cove, but the hike down is pretty long and steep (avoid it if you are with young children).
The sea and the cliffs are magnificent. In peak season, the little cove gets pretty crowded.

6
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Impressive cliffs above a turquoise sea

Gorgeous setting, but the space is a bit limited and you will have a hard time finding a spot during peak hours. A real shame.

4
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The most beautiful of the Calanques?

I haven't seen all of the Calanques in Marseille, and I actually think some are only accessible by boat. That said, out of the 2 or 3 I was able to see between Marseille and Cassis, En-Vau is my favorite. Not a single trace of human construction around you, just the rocky cliffs, the green of the Provençal scrubland, the small warm pebbles, the sea with its different shades of blue, the sky where the sun shines, and the sweet smell of pine trees.

5
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The most beautiful cove in Marseille

Really isolated, but still accessible on foot, you will feel like you're traveling to a paradise beach in the tropics.

4
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A little wild cove just the way I love them

Hidden by two steep cliffs, this small pebble cove, bathed in warm, calm, turquoise water, feels like a little piece of paradise. Try to get there early in the morning so there are fewer people.

5
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