For this day, I suggest you visit the calanques of La Ciotat: the calanque of Mugel and the calanque of Figuerolles. If you go there in the summer, don't leave late because the car parks fill up very quickly.
Morning
Head to Mugel car park to park near the Calanque du Mugel. Take the Avenue des calanques on foot, then the first left, after a steep bend you will arrive in front of the calanque, a natural and protected site. Before you bathe there and enjoy the coolness of the water, I suggest you go to the end of the paved street along the calanque towards the Mugel park. Formerly a private property, this park has been carefully landscaped and maintained since 1987 by the municipality of La Ciotat, which has earned it the status of “Remarkable Garden”. You can explore many plants in the region: bamboo, cacti, aromatic plants, cork oaks, chestnut trees and tropical plants such as the bird of paradise. Do not hesitate to climb to the belvedere, 82m above the sea. The start is near the bamboo grove. Arrived up there, we have a breathtaking view of the blue immensity of the sea.
Approximately 17 hectares in area, the park is naturally protected from the Mistral and spray by the imposing rocky massif of Bec de l'Aigle, a 155m high rock in the shape of an eagle with the beak up and wings folded back (see photo below, taken from the green island, opposite the Mugel park). The characteristic material that composes it, called "Puddingstone" is made of pebbles agglomerated on top of each other, up to the highest of the cliffs.
If you walk further into the park on the cliffs by the sea, you will find indications on signs to another lookout point with a view of the sea. Feel free to get there by the paths, the colors are magical! Between beach, picnic area, playground for children, natural space and botanical garden, this park really has all the ingredients for a good day out with the family.
For lunch, you are free to have a picnic in the park, to eat at Le Mugel restaurant at the first calanque at the bottom of the car park, or even go to chez Tania, a Mediterranean cuisine restaurant in the next location: the calanque de Figuerolles.
Afternoon
I advise you to leave the car in the parking lot if it is busy. Take the Avenue du Mugel on foot, in 5 minutes, at the end on the left you will come across the calanque de Figuerolles. Going down there, you discover a shady hotel-restaurant with a breathtaking view and a rock that looks like an animal, a dog for some, a bird for others. At sunrise as at sunset, the panoramas of this calanques are magnificent.
If you go swimming, don't hesitate to put on your mask and snorkel to explore the seabed. Moving away a little, along the rock, marine life is very present.
To end your day, I suggest you get back in the car and park at La Tasse car park, behind the tourist office. You can stroll along the old port, admire the colorful boats, enjoy an artisanal sorbet, a crepe or stop for a drink in one of the bars.
If you want to have diner in La Ciotat, I advise you to book at the Italian restaurant De la vigne à l'olivier at the end of the old port, or if you prefer to eat fish or seafood you can go to SeaQuest along the beaches .
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