Objective: Kayaking by La Ciotat on the Côte d’Azur
Distance: 4.5 miles
Trip Length: 3 hours
From the hills to lavender fields, there’s a wealth of outdoor activities near Provence in the south of France. If you yearn for the sea, consider kayaking in the Mediterranean. Launch your kayak from La Ciotat, a town between Provence’s hilly lavender fields and the French Riviera. The Côte d’Azur is filled with jagged calanques, island sea caves, and lighthouses.
Parking
Head southeast on Av. Emile Bodin/D40B. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Av. du Président Wilson heading to Centre Ville. Head southwest on Av. du Président Wilson and continue for 550 m (0.35 miles). Turn left at the parking lot. Once you have parked, it is a five-minute walk to the kayaking shop. Pay at the gate when you leave the lot using your credit card.
Gearing up
From the gear shed, grab a life jacket, a paddle, and a waterproof bag if you need it. Before starting, experienced guides provide a quick primer on basic paddling techniques. We carry our kayak down the ramp into the water, take a seat, and then shove off for the sea.
Where Provence Meets the Mediterranean – La Ciotat
La Ciotat is a Provençal town east of Marseille. It has a storied shipbuilding past that has since pivoted to repairing yachts. Paddle along La Ciotat’s long Mediterranean coastline, past its many docks. At the fishing harbor of Vieux-Port, you can see the city’s restaurants and shops. The giant shipyard crane is one of La Ciotat’s landmarks and a window frame to its past. We briefly stop at a red lighthouse before leaving the coast.
Bec de l’Aigle
As we head south, we see the sharp and pointy Bec de l’Aigle (Eagle’s Beak) on our starboard side. The Eagle’s Beak is the gateway to Calanque de Figuerolles. If you have time, you should spend a day exploring the calanques in the region. They are breathtaking narrow inlets in the coastline. Their steep jagged cliffs enclose lovely turquoise waters.
L’île Verte
We set a steady pace and then cruise to L’île Verte (Green Island). There is a shallow passage where you must navigate through a narrow crack in the cliff wall. It’s pretty tight. Don’t paddle too hard or you’ll ding the side. Yet paddle hard enough to pass through without a scratch.
Then we land in a cove by a restaurant. At this pebble beach, we swim a bit and wait for the second half of the group to arrive. Afterwards, we paddle around the island in a clockwise direction. There is a tiny sea cave with little black fish and bright red sea anemones. Our guide calls them tomatoes of the sea. Then, take a straight path back to La Ciotat.
Plan Your Visit
Vendor: Contact Expénature La Ciotat about kayaking around La Ciotat.
Cost: 48€ per person (minimum group size: 5 people) for 3 hours. Kayaks are also available for rent without a group for half-day or full-day trips at 9 am, 1 pm, and 4 pm (in summer).
What to Bring: Swimsuit, suntan lotion, towel, hat, sunglasses
Photos: The guides will take photos, which are provided free on their website. They also provide a waterproof bag for your camera if you want to bring your own.
Options: Another great kayaking option in the area is paddling out from Cassis to the calanques.
If you are looking for a more epic kayaking adventure, check out Antarctica.
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