In April 2012, the Calanques between Marseille and La Ciotat were declared a National Park. Calanques are a fragile natural space that must be protected.
Because of high fire risk in summer, the access is restricted by law between 1 June and 30 september.

 

Depends on the weather conditions :

There are four risk levels during this period: green and yellow access is authorised, and red access banned when wind and risq of fire are very strong.

The risk level varies according to weather conditions and is declared daily at 6 pm for the following day.
The information is available on the official helpline, tel (+33) 8 11 20 13 13, in English as well as in French and published on the Bouches du Rhône regional website (in French only): www.bpatp.paca-ate.fr

 

From april to september access to the roads of Sormiou and Morgiou are reglemented:

Reglementation Sormiou Calanque:

=> between 04/04/2025 and 21/04/2025: Access forbidden for all motor vehicles between 7h and 19h00 fridays, saturday, sundays and bank holidays.
=> between 22/04/2025 and 13/06/2025: Access forbidden for all motor vehicles between 7h and 19h00 every week-ends, bank holidays and long wekk-ends (1&2&3&4/5, 8&9&10&11/5 and 29&30&31/5).
=> between 14/06/2025 and 31/08/2025: Access forbidden for all motor vehicles between 7h and 19h00 every days.
=> between 01/09/2025 and 17/10/2025: Access forbidden for all motor vehicles between 7h and 19h00 every saturdays and sundays.

=> between 18/10/2025 and 11/11/2025: Access forbidden for all motor vehicles between 7h and 19h00 every week-ends, bank holidays and long wekk-ends (9&10&11/11).
These hours are likely to be extended until 10 p.m. on "red days", from June 1 to September 30.

The rest of time access autorized.

 

Reglementation Morgiou Calanque:

=> between 04/04/2025 and 21/04/2025: Access forbidden for all motor vehicles between 7h and 19h00 fridays, saturday, sundays and bank holidays.
=> between 22/04/2025 and 13/06/2025: Access forbidden for all motor vehicles between 7h and 19h00 every week-ends, bank holidays and long wekk-ends (1&2&3&4/5, 8&9&10&11/5 and 29&30&31/5).
=> between 14/06/2025 and 31/08/2025: Access forbidden for all motor vehicles between 7h and 19h00 every days.
=> between 01/09/2025 and 17/10/2025: Access forbidden for all motor vehicles between 7h and 19h00 every saturdays and sundays.

=> between 18/10/2025 and 11/11/2025: Access forbidden for all motor vehicles between 7h and 19h00 every week-ends, bank holidays and long wekk-ends (9&10&11/11).
These hours are likely to be extended until 10 p.m. on "red days", from June 1 to September 30.

The rest of time access autorized.

 

It is always possible to access these two calanques by walking during the regulated period.

 

Reglementation on the road between Cassis and Ciotat:

The Route des Crêtes which gives access to the cliffs between Cassis and La Ciotat is likely to be closed to all motorized vehicles in the event of high winds all year round.
Since April 2024 it will also be systematically closed every Sunday regardless of weather conditions and will be accessible only to cyclists and pedestrians.

 

The best time for climbing in the Calanques is from September to June.