The Calanques area is in constant need of upkeep: paths, fences, dry-stone walls, eradication of invasive species, etc. Calanques National Park sets up professional, integration and volunteer workcamps to restore the most fragile sites. In particular, workcamps are a great tool for social integration and reintegration into the professional world for those most in need.

Despite its record 3 million visitors each year, Calanques National Park still lacks a dedicated visitor centre. This will soon change. Restoration work on the former residence of actor Michel Simon, in La Ciotat at the entrance to the National Park, will enable the opening of the first visitor centre in 2025: a venue open to all, to obtain information on protected species, the marine world and the nature of the Calanques, as well as a special area dedicated to the memory of actor Michel Simon.
A crowdfunding campaign is currently underway, discover it here.

Replanting Astragales and Plantago subulata

The National Park is involved in:

• Removing invasive exotic plants
• Replanting more than 3,500 samples of Astragales de Marseille. In France, 94% of the Astragales de Marseille are found in the Calanques. This endemic species, found particularly in Cap Croisette, is precious for cleaning up the soil on the southern coast of Marseille, a previously industrialised area, because it fixes and retains the heavy metals present in the soil
• Replanting other local species such as the plantago subulata, which is in serious decline on the Frioul islands

You will help with the development of these heritage species, and the National Park will ensure their protection and regular monitoring.

Protection of marine species, including the Brown meagre

The Brown meagre has been protected by moratorium since 2014. This nocturnal fish, which lives in families of more than 40 individuals, is threatened by underwater hunting along the coast of Marseille. By monitoring the no-take zones that occupy over 10% of the marine area of the Calanques, the National Park has succeeded in increasing the population of the Brown meagre from 2 individuals in 2014 to more than 100 today. By the end of 2023, the moratorium protecting this species will expire. However, the National Park will continue its efforts to protect the species in the Calanques marine area.

Protecting pelagic birds, including Scopoli's shearwaters 

Living at sea for most of their lives, these rare birds migrate to the Atlantic Ocean and return to nest every five years in the Mediterranean and the Calanques. They seek uninhabited areas to breed, as they are very sensitive to human disturbance (noise and light) and to threats from small animals as well. Calanques National Park is working to eliminate human and animal presence on the Marseille islands where these protected species come to breed: in particular the Riou archipelago, the only place in France providing shelter to Scopoli's shearwaters, also knwn as the small Mediterranean albatross.

Assurances GMF:  welcoming the public and the most vulnerable people 

Thanks to the support of Assurances GMF, sports enthusiasts and nature lovers will receive a new welcome booklet presenting Calanques National Park, its heritage, its challenges and its risks of use. In addition, visitors with physical disabilities will be able to visit the Calanques aboard a joëlette and with the assistance of the French Alpine Club.

Interxion France, Schneider Electric France and EcoAct

Three major players in the digital and environmental sectors, Interxion France, Schneider Electric France and EcoAct, have decided to join forces to develop the first methodology dedicated to the protection of sea grass beds and enabling the certification of low-carbon projects in France, with Calanques National Park as a pilot site. This methodology will be submitted to the French Ministry of Ecological and Solidarity Transition (MTES) for validation as part of the Low Carbon Label scheme, which aims to certify projects that will help France achieve its carbon neutrality objectives.

CMA CGM Group: opening the Callelongue semaphore to the public

The CMA CGM Group has joined forces with the National Park to complete the renovation of the Callelongue Semaphore, a historic heritage building on the Marseille coast. The forthcoming works will enable the interior spaces to be refurbished, and the conditions to be created to welcome the public and inform them about the riches of the marine space and the archipelagos of the Calanques of Marseille. Together with CMA CGM, Calanques National Park is carrying out a number of rubbish collections and volunteer projects to safeguard the exceptional Calanques area.

Kaporal: posidonia meadow conservation

Kaporal and Calanques National Park are mobilising their employees to raise public awareness on mooring areas. At the heart of the partnership is the Posidonia meadow conservation programme, with several training sessions for boat captains and skippers. The Posidonia meadow is a key ecosystem for the Mediterranean basin, home to over 400 species of algae and animals (fish, shellfish), yet it is threatened on a daily basis by the increase in coastal marine tourism. Posidonia is an emblematic species for blue carbon, that is captured and stored indefinitely by this marine ecosystem.

Agapara: conservation of the Bonelli's Eagle

The partnership helps ensure the conservation of the protected species that make up the avifauna of Calanques National Park, and more specifically the Bonelli's Eagle. Calanques National Park aims to protect the habitat of the Bonelli's eagle by limiting the sources of disturbance that discourage the species' reproduction, promoting scientific knowledge of the species and raising public awareness of its protection.

IWEECH: soft mobility and visitor awareness

Thanks to a partnership between electric bike manufacturer IWEECH and Calanques National Park, awareness-raising activities carried out by National Park staff can now be carried out on electric bikes in the Calanques on Marseille southern coast.