Hi Lynn, apologies for only just getting back to your comment here! That’s so exciting you’ll be visiting in early July, it’s a stunning region and I hope you’ll have a wonderful trip. Instead of the kayak tours with set times, you could actually hire them and paddle yourselves there without a guide. They’ll show you on the map, but essentially you just stick to the coast (closely to avoid boats), and can paddle all the way to Calanque d’En Vau and back. It’s a long paddle, but not too bad if you’re reasonably fit. I think you’ll find the self-guided tour options here – https://www.lokayakcassis.com/en/autonomous-trip – enjoy it!

Hi Emma, how exciting you’re heading to Cassis, it’s my favourite coastal town in the region! If you avoid weekends, it won’t be too busy along the hike. Even if it is, there’s plenty of space to find your own little corner to enjoy the views 🙂

Thanks Kim! Very exciting to hear you’re heading over to Provence soon. You’ll love the coastline of Cassis, I’m from Port Macquarie just north of Sydney and the Calanques of Cassis just blew me away…the water is so clear too! Using Cassis as your base to explore the Luberon villages however could be a little far. It’s roughly 1hr driving time to get to Aix en Provence, then from Aix it’s an additional 30min-1.5hrs depending on which villages you’re going to. It’s definitely possible but you’d get sick of driving I think and the route from Aix to Cassis is via a highway. If visiting the villages is your focus, I’d do 3 nights in the Luberon or even Aix en Provence, and 2 nights in Cassis instead. Otherwise, if the coast is your thing, stick to Cassis and venture around to La Ciotat and perhaps down to Frejus and the coast road to Cannes, it’s stunning! I’ve got an eBOOK about the villages of Provence which might help in your planning, you can find it here – https://www.thewanderinglens.com/product/provence-lavender-fields-guide/
Have a wonderful trip!

With a baby carrier yes however the rocks can be difficult to walk over so it could be a bit tricky at times, I’m not sure I could carry a 21mth old on my own to the top. Also just be mindful that at the top of the hike the drop off when looking over the calanque is very steep so I’d personally keep bub in the carrier for most of the time. Down at the beach and also at the Calanque de Port Pin it’ll be easier for your baby to crawl around safely.

Hi Cindi, great to hear you’re visiting in July! It’ll be beautiful and warm, perfect for swimming in the chilly calanques.
The tracks are closed when the weather has a potential fire risk so in July due to the warmth there’s the possibility they may be closed.
That said, you can definitely kayak from Cassis to the calanques and then swim once you arrive…it’s absolutely beautiful in there!
There’s a beach at the end of Calanque d’en Vau otherwise the public beach at Cassis is great too, when you hire kayaks they depart from the main beach right near the Tourist Information Centre and port so it’s super central.
Have a great trip!
Lisa

Thanks again!
Cindi