Massif des Calanques

When we arrived in Marseille on Friday afternoon the first thing we did (after checking into the hotel, of course) was hike down to the Calanques. Now, I didn't know anything about any Calanques before this trip, but I know that I am a better person for having witnessed them! I cannot put into words their beauty, so I will quote a description from a tourist website and show some amazing pictures. You can see for yourself.

Massif des Calanques: Directly south of Marseille, and to the west of Cassis, is the wild coastline of the Massif des Calanques. Some of France's most beautiful and dramatic scenery can be found along this 12-mile (19km) stretch of coastline; the sea has cut gorges, up to a mile (two km) deep, into the limestone. Dazzling white limestone cliffs overhang the sea and attract rock climbers and deep-sea divers. The mountains rise up 1,850ft (564m) and are a haven for climbers.

Amen.

The walk to the Calanques was a breath of fresh air. Literally. We have been cooped up inside the crowded city of Edinburgh day after day, so this nature hike was the best thing since sliced bread! On both sides we were surrounded by trees, mountains, valleys, and rocks. Rocks, rocks, and more rocks! I love rocks! I took so many pictures here. I couldn't help myself. There was so much beauty. I will shut up and put more pictures up for you to see...

(P.S. Keep that little rock in the background in mind. It comes up later in all its glory.)

After walking for a while we finally could see water! This picture is actually zoomed in. That rock on the left is the same one shown earlier that you were supposed to keep in mind. Remember?? We were still pretty far and had a long way to climb down before we reached the water, but we could see it! The following pictures will jump to the Calanques and the Mediterranean, so be ye warned of the beauty that follows...

(P.S. When I said 'beauty that follows' I was not talking about me. I was talking about the rock!)

Hey, I didn't write it.

Well, there you have my expedition to Massif des Calanques. Is it any wonder that we spent most of our day here? Or any wonder that I dedicated an entire post to it? No. Because it's amazing and you know it! I hope you enjoyed the pictures as much as I enjoyed the view in person. I highly recommend the sight to any and everyone and I can honestly say I would go back in a heartbeat.