Raskas Kayak (
raskas-kayak.com
),
based at Marseille’s
youth hostel. Pupils are invited to follow him through
the grottoes and fishing villages of the inlets, which – so
far – have remained largely undiscovered by the masses.
Marseille isn’t often the first port of call for
holidaymakers venturing to the south of France, but
as the European Capital of Cultural 2013, the city is
drawing more and more visitors to its museum openings,
exhibitions and film screenings. This national park on
its fringes – one of the only peri-urban national parks
in Europe – has been a well-kept secret, but it will
provide light relief from the flurry of activity in the city
over the coming months.
Depending on the weather, there are hourly
departures by
navette
(
water taxi;
rtm.fr
)
from
Marseille’s Old Port to Pointe-Rouge, 40 minutes
away, but hop on a moped and within 10 minutes you can
whip along the cliffs’ curves and bends as the sea
twinkles alongside. The joy of the latter is being able to
sniff out the seafood down inaccessible back streets.
L’Esplaï du Grand Bar du Goudes (
29
Avenue Désiré
Pelaprat, Les Goudes, Marseille; grandbardesgoudes.
com
),
for instance, is a 30-minute ride from the
MOVING ACROSS VERTICAL SURFACES
WITH THE SOUNDOFWAVES THRASHING
BELOW IS PHYSICALLY ENERGISING
ANDMENTALLY CHALLENGING
IN THE DEEP
05
Laminated guides
for divers highlight the
diversity of sea life here
06
Dive leader Bruno
Scheerlinck at the
Archipel de Riou rocks
07
Scheerlinck mans the boat
08
Climbing proves to be
scary yet exhilarating
for the beginner
08
07
»
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