From La Gineste to La Gardiole

Between Mont Carpiagne and the Calanques ranges

© M.-A. Lien - Parc national des Calanques

2-carpiagne-gardiole-horizon-brume_prichaud-parc-national-calanques-marseille-cassis-la-ciotat.jpg — © P. Richaud

La forêt de la Gardiole vue de la crête de l'Estret © A. Zec - Parc national des Calanques

La route de la Gineste dans le film Fanny, scénario de Marcel Pagnol, en 1932

Vue de la Gineste au XIXe siècle par le peintre Émile Loubon

This vast garrigues shrubland, surrounded by ridges and passes, stretches up the slopes of imposing hills. On the urban outskirts, the natural environment still has a primitive dimension. The famous Route de la Ginest crosses the area from east to west.

Getting here and regulations

Before heading out to visit the Calanques National Park, make sure you are prepared and read about good conduct and regulations here.

The area is open all year round, except when closed due to fire danger.

The Route de la Gardiole is permanently closed to motorised vehicles.

Acess to the southern slopes of the Saint-Cyr ranges, which are part of Carpiagne military camp, is forbidden. The zone covers the Nerte et La Louve valleys to the west, the Eaux-Vives springs to the north, Carpiagne camp to the west, and La Gineste to the south. To the south, a zone classified as dangerous with a shooting range, is also closed to the public (see the map). As a result, it is forbidden to climb Monts Lantin, Saint-Cyr, and Carpiagne.

The Muraille de Chine and Toulouse valley are subject to special regulations.

Getting here

From Marseille: bus M08 – La Gineste or Carpiagne Gineste stops

Getting to the Calanques National Park from Marseille

From Cassis: walk for around one hour from the city centre via Le Pas des Marmots to reach La Gardiole.

Getting to the Calanques National Park from Cassis

Localisation

GPS Coordinates: 43.240100, 5.457172