{"id":42394,"date":"2021-08-16T08:00:40","date_gmt":"2021-08-16T06:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecobnb.com\/blog\/?p=42394"},"modified":"2021-08-11T18:35:02","modified_gmt":"2021-08-11T16:35:02","slug":"frioul-islands-calanques-national-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecobnb.com\/blog\/2021\/08\/frioul-islands-calanques-national-park\/","title":{"rendered":"Discovering the Wild Soul of the Frioul Islands and the Calanques National Park"},"content":{"rendered":"

In front of the heart of Marseille lies the archipelago of the Frioul Islands, made up of four islands, Pom\u00e8gues, Ratonneau, If and Tiboulen, and the Calanques National Park. A natural paradise characterised by turquoise waters, rocky coastlines and biting winds.<\/h2>\n
\"Marseille
Marseille and Frioul Islands. Photos by Irene Paolinelli<\/div><\/div>\n

Their ancient geological<\/strong> formation is closely linked to the continent since 2 million years ago<\/strong>; an isthmus connected them to the earth! Marseille<\/strong>, the Conservatoire du Littoral and the Calanques National Park<\/strong> co-manage the Frioul Islands<\/strong> site. The aquaculture farm<\/strong> located on the island of Pom\u00e8gues<\/strong>, which breeds Calanques wolf fish and sea bream, won the prize of the first organic farm<\/strong> in Europe.<\/p>\n

Its toponymy<\/strong> links to the expression Fretum Julii: in Latin, “strait of Julius” because Julius Caesar<\/strong> established his anchorage there during the siege of Marseille in 49 BC<\/strong>. Since the 16th century, these islands have played an essential role in the defensive organisation of Marseille. It was also an important place for the history of the World War II<\/strong>. The impact of the 1944 bombings produced several depressions in the landscape.<\/p>\n

The Frioul Islands and the Calanques National Park offer different colours<\/strong>. The white<\/strong> of the rocks glinting in the sun, the green<\/strong> of the vegetation growing irregularly and the turquoise<\/strong> of the sea invites you to take a swim<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

1. The wind-sculpted landscapes of the Frioul Islands, rich in Flowers and Seabirds<\/h2>\n
\"The
The Frioul Islands Photo by Irene Paolinelli<\/div><\/div>\n

The Frioul archipelago is a site with an irresistible power of seduction<\/strong>: inlets, impressive peaks, relentless light, transparent water<\/strong>. The mistral is the creator of the driest microclimat<\/strong>e in France, along with the southern coast of Marseille: it sculpts and orders. In doing so, it creates plant landscapes that stand out against white rocks.<\/p>\n

The landscape is rich in flowers<\/strong> and birds<\/strong>. Over time, animal and plant life forms have adapted to this extreme environment. Frioul Islands are mainly home to plants<\/strong> (almost 350 species). Some of these are “xerophytes” (for drought) or “halophytes” (for salt). They are fragile and people should not pick them. You can find some species, such as Munby’s fumaria, nowhere else in the National Park<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Frioul
Frioul Islands. Photo by Irene Paolinelli<\/div><\/div>\n

In the area, there are many seabirds<\/strong>, including grey seawater, storm petrel, crested cormorant and peregrine falcon. The Yellow-legged Gull reigns supreme, especially at Cavau Battery, its stronghold. You can find all these birds in the Riou archipelago. Other rare and protected species live on the Frioul Islands: the blue monticulous, Athena’s owl…<\/p>\n

Underwater, the islands’ relief, orientation and shape have favoured a rich and varied aquatic life<\/strong>. Brown grouper, spotted seahorse, red coral and large madrepores live in a true mosaic of landscapes. The islands offer a beautiful view<\/strong> of Marseille. Artists<\/strong> such as Alexandre Dumas<\/strong> and Robert Gu\u00e9diguian<\/strong> have mentioned them in their works.<\/p>\n

How to reach the Frioul Islands?<\/h2>\n

To reach these islands, you can get ferry shuttles<\/strong> between Marseille and the Frioul islands – If Express<\/strong><\/a>, which leaves from the city’s Old Port. The journey takes about 25 minutes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Map<\/a><\/h3>\n

Pro tips for visiting the Frioul Islands<\/h2>\n
\"Going
Going to Frioul Island. Photo by Irene Paolinelli<\/div><\/div>\n

The service to the islands runs 7 days a week, but the timetables vary depending on the season. Due to weather conditions, plans may change each day, or even ferry trips may be cancelled. We recommend that you go early in the morning<\/strong> to buy your tickets and avoid the long queue. To fully enjoy the beauty of these islands, we suggest you spend at least one full day<\/strong>. Remember to bring<\/strong> plenty of water<\/strong>, some snacks<\/strong>, a hat<\/strong> and sunscreen<\/strong>! A good pair of sneakers<\/strong> will allow you to walk on the rocks<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

2. The best Calanques\u00a0you cannot miss\u00a0in the Calanques National Park<\/h2>\n
\"Calanques.
Calanques. Photo by Arno Senoner via unsplash.com<\/div><\/div>\n

The Calanques National Park is a cultural<\/strong> and historical heritage<\/strong> overlooking the Mediterranean<\/strong>. It will welcome you in all seasons<\/strong> of the year with a marvellous nature rich in various habitats such as caves<\/strong> and canyons<\/strong>. It is an ideal place for hiking<\/strong> on steep massifs and water activities. There is a kind of magic along this stretch of land.<\/p>\n

Proceeding from west to east there are:<\/p>\n