Marseille Shore Excursion: E-Bike to the Calanques

You pedal 22 miles along the Mediterranean coast without breaking a sweat. The electric bike does the climbing.

This 7-hour shore excursion from Marseille port takes you by electric bike through coastal villages to three named calanques (Vallon des Auffes, Les Goudes, Callelongue Cove), where you swim in the sea and play pétanque, then returns to the Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde overlooking the Old Port. A local guide leads the route. Port pickup and drop-off are included. Bring your own towel and sunscreen. Children under 4 cannot join, ages 4–11 ride in a trailer, and ages 12+ ride their own bike.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Old Port of Marseillepass by
2. Palais du Pharo10m
3. Calanques National Park30m

Explore Marseille and Calanques by EBike

• Visit daily fish market
• Enjoy view at Palais du Pharo
• Ride electric bike to Calanques National Park
• Swim in Calanques National Park
• Visit coastal villages and swim
• Play pétanque game
• Visit Vallon des Auffes, Les Goudes, Callelongue Cove
• Return to Marseille
• Visit Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde

The experience

You board an electric bike at the port and pedal south through Marseille's coastal edge, the motor handling the climbs so you stay fresh for the stops ahead. The route covers roughly 22 miles, moving through small villages and past the Palais du Pharo before reaching Calanques National Park: a stretch of Mediterranean coast carved into steep coves that locals call the fjords of the French Riviera. The bike's electric assist means the distance is manageable even if you haven't cycled in years. A safety briefing and helmet come with the rental.

Three calanques anchor the day: Vallon des Auffes, Les Goudes, and Callelongue Cove, each a small rocky inlet where the water is clear enough to swim. You stop to swim at one or more of these, so pack a towel and sunscreen (neither is provided). At one of the coves, the guide sets up a game of pétanque (the traditional French bocce-like sport played on the ground), so you get a taste of how locals spend their afternoons by the sea. There are no lifeguards, so swimming is at your own discretion.

The return leg heads back toward Marseille and finishes at the Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde, the white basilica perched above the Old Port with views across the harbor and the colorful fishing boats below. From there, the guide brings you back to the port. The whole outing runs seven hours, timed to fit a port day. Your guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian or one of three other languages, and the tour operates under a Worry-Free Shore Excursion Guarantee in case your ship's schedule shifts.

What’s included

• Port pickup and drop-off.
• electric bike, helmet and safety vest.
• local guide in your choice of language.
• safety briefing.
• swim stop at one of the three calanques.
• pétanque game.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 11:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (4 and older) · Under 4: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Dutch

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for heart conditions

Operated by EBTM Tours Marseille

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian or one of three other languages, so you can follow the commentary and the route directions in the language you're most comfortable with. The seven-hour duration is built to fit a single port day, and the electric motor means you can cover the full 22-mile route without arriving exhausted.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Dutch.

What is the Calanques and why do people swim there?

The Calanques are steep rocky coves carved into the Mediterranean coast near Marseille, nicknamed the fjords of the French Riviera. Callelongue Cove, Vallon des Auffes and Les Goudes are three of the named calanques on this tour where the water is clear and sheltered enough to swim. They sit inside Calanques National Park.

Can my child join this tour?

Children under 4 cannot join. Children ages 4 to 11 ride in a trailer attached to an adult's bike. Children 12 and older ride their own electric bike.

How much cycling experience do I need?

The electric bike handles the climbs, so the route is manageable for anyone with at least moderate fitness. The operator does not recommend the tour for travelers with poor cardiovascular health. A safety briefing is included before you start.

What happens at the Old Port stop?

The Old Port is the starting point where you pick up your bike and receive your safety briefing. On the return, the tour finishes at the Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde, which overlooks the Old Port and its daily fish market. From there the guide brings you back to the port.

Is there time to eat during the tour?

The itinerary notes a fish and pizza restaurant near the Old Port, but it is not mandatory. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price, so you can bring your own or stop at a café along the route if time allows.

What should I bring?

Bring your own towel and sunscreen. Neither is provided. A helmet and safety vest come with the bike rental. Wear clothes you can move in and bring water if you plan to stay hydrated during the seven hours.