My son’s favorite excursion on our trip. Our guide was patient and encouraging with me as the e-bike wasn’t what I expected. (Pedal assist not an e-bike like we have). The beach was sooo worth the effort to get there!
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Use of electric bicycle
- Helmet
- Small-group bike tour
- Guide
Excludes
- Food and drink
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- In front of the Avia Gas station, across the road, near Restaurant Le Carré, inside Garage Residence Le Grand Large. There is a sign in the street and other the entry.
Return
- In front of the Avia Gas station, across the road, near Restaurant Le Carré, inside Garage Residence Le Grand Large. There is a sign in the street and other the entry.
Itinerary
The Parc National des Calanques is an area of incredible beauty, diverse landscapes and unique cultural heritage. Located in the South of France, and spanning 20km of coastline between Marseille and Cassis, it’s the only European national park to encompass land, sea and urban areas.
Sormiou is the biggest Calanque of the National Park. We arrive from the top with a breathtaking view. From spring to autumn we go down all the way to the sandy beach to have a swim there. A must see!!! The rest of year we take a different route also very nice to discover others paths. We go down to Sormiou or Morgiou depending of the level of the group, the attendance and the weather conditions.
Among the thirty Calanques in the National Park, Morgiou is the only one with Sormiou to be inhabited. Who could imagine that here is hidden a little fischermen village surronded by limestone cliffs. We often take a break here to swim or have a drink. We go down to Sormiou or Morgiou depending of the level of the group, the attendance and the weather conditions.
There is an air of the end of the world here. The road that goes to Les Goudes winds for several kilometers along the seaside. Many surprises await us here. We make a break at Cap Croisette to discover a hidden port with diving center here.
Our shop is unique; in a garage just near Pointe Rouge beach. You will find here many services (restaurants, snacks, minimarkets, bars, glacier), a sandy beach and many watersport activities (paddle, kayak, boat and windsurf rental,...). From spring to autumn you can come here by public boat from city center of Marseille.
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
Martin was a great guide. He didn’t have enough people book this tour but he rearranged his schedule to take us. We thought it might be a little complicated to do it on our own. Bikes were excellent and worked really well on the mountains. Martin was very good at giving instructions and making sure we were ok. The scenery and swimming were spectacular! I highly recommend his company and biking in this beautiful national park- it is a great way to see it, even during a heat wave!
The guides were great and this was such a fun adventure! Make sure you are fit and willing to put in some effort! It was 15 miles with some significant hills, tough even on an e-bike. Beautiful views and nice to do an unusual tour!!
Very fun! Very hot. Highly recommend this tour for beautiful views and a swim. Must know how to ride a bike.
The ebike was fairly easy to operate. If never used one before. I'm only 5'4" so it was a bit too get in and off but I managed safely. The national park was closed to our guide took us a different route. We enjoyed our time and would do this again.
Jean Marque was a fantastic guide who was really enthusiastic about sharing the local culture of the Camargue. We learned so much and really enjoyed our tour
Thomas is a great guide!! The scenic stops along the route are truly amazing!!
The countryside is beautiful! We had done this tour once before with a different guide. I feel as if we saw more the first time around. I was hoping for a replica of the first time I took the tour and didn’t receive it so felt a little disappointed.
Louis is a very friendly, helpful guide with a lot of knowledge about the Région. Highly recommended. Learned a lot about the beatiful Calanques.
Vincent was a great guide and the tour was a uniquely fun way to explore the National Park. I would strongly recommend.
The scenery and views along the trail and at sea are breathtaking! Something I would suggest to put at the top of your priority list! As far as the ride itself; I have only rode an e-bike once before, so I was aware that they are a little different than your standard bike when it comes to controlling. I feel that the steering is a little more sensitive. There were others in the group without prior e-bike experience and were able to do this. Upon arrival we get fitted for our bikes and helmets. Then run through the gear use and the power modes. Before setting off, our guide Vincent, had us ride the bikes to get comfortable and to make any adjustments if necessary. We then set off to the Calanques Park. When we entered, our guide pointed us to the toilettes if we needed. From there we were off to the trails! Vincent was very patient and kind as he helped explain the gears, using the lowest on the hills, and mid on flat trails. I was doing the opposite:/. Throughout the ride, he’d keep looking back to make sure everyone was following and okay… even biking to the end of the pack to guide and give encouragement. He also stopped at “turn off” points for photo opportunities, and to refill your water. He’d also let us know what was coming up next (i.e. steep incline with appropriate time at incline and steep declines) along with what gear and power mode to use to help us all prepare for it. THANK YOU FOR THAT!!!! When we reached the sea, we had about 30 minutes to go to the beach, swim, hike, take photos, etc. before heading back. The ride was more difficult than I anticipated, as my mindset was that the e-bike does the work with moderate effort from the biker. I also walked 3 miles from my hotel to the meeting location. While I am thankful for the e-bike’s power to help up the steep inclines, you still need to put in the work. Quite honestly, I question if I’d be able to do it with a non powered bike… or maybe it’s a mindset. I say this not to talk anyone out of it, but to have a mindset that you’re going to feel the burn 😊 However, if you find yourself getting stuck, or having problems Vincent will be right there! He kept telling the group that we had plenty of time and was so very kind and patient. He really went above what I would have expected. Afterwards he gave dining suggestions for lunch! Would I do this again? 100% Absolutely! The ride, scenic view, the grit, the thrill…I would do it over again!
Did not see 3 calanques or swim as described. Had 3 couples with us and none knew how to ride a mountain e-bike. Terrain was difficult. We waited at every turn for them. The description on the Viator website mentions nothing about terrain and experience needed for this excursion.
Perfect bike tour for a solo traveler seeking adventure and meeting new people. So easy to get to and such a fun ride (I’m used to cycling, so it was not too much effort, but very fun!).
Iris was ok. She read from a binder but made sure we wete always safe. It woukd be nice to have a little more of engagement with the group.
I was a little afraid of having the stamina to complete the trip as I don't routinely bike more than a mile or two at a time. The elecric assistance made that a non-issue. However, the slight anxiety came in because when the terrain was good in the city, you had to be aware of competing car and truck traffic. And when we were on more natural trails, at some points it was heard to navigate on the gravel as well as dodging walkers, dogs, risen tree roots, etc. I would recommend that the tour leader have a walkie talkie as well as as providing one to the last in the group. We got separated at one point when someone in the group in front of us missed a turn.
We had a great day touring some of the city, but mostly the national park via e-bikes. Martin was patient with us as had never ridden them before and we caught on quickly. We appreciated the thirty minute break to take a refreshing dip in the Mediterranean. Not only did we see some beautiful sites, but learned something new!
This is one of the best ebike I have taken anywhere in Europe. Martin was a great tour guide. We biked for hours and stopped to take pictures and some local history. The bikes were excellent.
Thank you for such a great day in the Marseilles national park. We enjoyed every minute. Great bikes and a great guide called Martin. Would do it again if coming back here.
Ebikes made uphill climbs easy! Some portions of ride are off road and sometimes narrow passage along canal. Guide very knowledgeable.
I absolutely recommend this tour! The E-bikes were fun and really helped with hills. The Calanques were closed due to fires, so the tour was adapted so we could ride safely and still see some spectacular sights. I don’t feel like we “missed out” on anything since the adapted tour was wonderful. Highly recommend if you are in Marseille!
Wonderful host great experience friendly helpful charming informative and took great care of the group
The tour guides were great and really took care of us on the cycle. It is a cool way to spend the morning.
A must do in marsellie, Martin is an amazing tour guide with a lovely personality and the views are just incredible!!
Amazing time! Thank god for the e-bikes! We had a party of 11, young and old, and everyone could do all the hills no problem. Our guides, Vincent and Martin were amazing. So helpful and fun. Highly recommend this tour!
We did this ride while on a cruise. We took a Uber to get to the starting point. Others were able to take a combination of buses and metro but took a lot longer. The e-bikes are high quality and in near new condition. The ride has a lot of climbs and decents. The e-bike made this super pleasant. We went through a national park with breathtaking views. We stopped at a beach and I took a swim in the ocean. I highly recommend this excursion but only to those who ride bikes. This is not for someone who never rides.
It was one of the highlights of our trip. We (females: 24, 27 & 58 years old) hadn’t been on a bike in years and our first time on an e-bike. It took a bit to get hang of it but was good once we caught on. The tour is a bit challenging (not for those with a fear of heights 😊) but so satisfying! The views were incredible! Our guide Nicholas was excellent! We are so glad we went! Thank you!
This tour ran straight up the calanques, and by the recording on my watch is ~6 miles out, then a 45 min break on the beach, then 6 miles back. The hills are tough, but using the ebike on stronger power makes it much easier. Not a ton of history or learning on the tour, but still a very good experience and fun to bike some around the streets of marseille
10/10. What more can I say. Not for those who are very new to biking, particularly on gravel and off roads, but otherwise very approachable. The e-assisst bikes are excellent and really help you just sit back and enjoy the views and the park as you bike. Your guide was absolutely lovely and made sure to stop at some key spots to inform us of notable places and features. Had a rest at a beautiful beach in the main calanque, the water was crystal. Once again, 10/10
Excellent guide (Martin). He kept us safe and provided interesting details along the way. We loved the views and the bikes were in great condition. Martin provided backpacks if needed.
We had a great time. We biked for 4 hours with the most beautiful scenery in the national park. Vincent was a great guide and extremely helpful during the trip
We had a great experience on this cycling tour. There was a very large group of us doing the tour so we were split into 2 groups of about 8-9 each. Our bikes were all set up in the shop then off we went. Our guide made sure to check up on everyone, assigning one of the more confident tour members to remain at the back to account for everyone while he drifted back and forth, giving directions when needed at the front then checking on everyone along the way. We had plenty of stops for applying more suncream and filling up water bottles at the various water fountains in the area. We went at a steady pace, nothing too strenuous - the electric bikes definitely were needed for a large hill we climbed. I would definitely recommend this experience to anyone looking to get outside of Marseille and see the local landscape, it was definitely worth it.
Awesome time with our guide Martin showing us through the national park and learning some of the history of Marseilles.
My husband and I took this tour and it was the highlight of our vacation. The Calanques National Park was so beautiful and the e-bikes made it an exciting experience. There were some challenging hills and riding on the streets with cars, so you should be comfortable riding a bike, but the e-bike made it all doable.
We loved this experience so much. Our Tour was brilliant. Not going to lie had not been on bike for a while so after a bit it was smooth sailing. But I am 56. The operator was brilliant
It was a fun ride. The trail was a mixture of paved, gravel and rocky incline to the viewpoints but with the ebike it is very manageable. A little windy in some areas.
Loved everything about this but def more difficult than expected. There’s some “off roading on uneven gravel/rocks and some people fell but were fine
Our guide, Vincent, was amazing! He was very personable and made sure we understood how to operate the e-bikes. I appreciated his effort to speak both in English and in French. The ride is challenging since so much is uphill and you really have to put effort into pedalling. Having prior biking experience and a good fitness level would be a benefit. This was definitely a highlight of our time in France.
The bike ride was a good mix of fun and adventure. Also, our guide, Martin, was super friendly and informative. It was a great way to spend the afternoon.
We went as a group with a couple and an additional friend. The ride was amazing, our guide, Vincent was knowledgeable of the area and the activity. Vincent was attentive to our needs as English speakers, giving separate instructions to the French members of the tour, and ourselves. The eBikes were of good quality, and made the terrain incredibly accessible. Some parts of the trail were a little scary, but the confidence of our guide allowed us to conquer our fears and see the beauty of Marseille and its surroundings. We did not realise that there was a break at the beach in the middle of the ride where we could swim if desired. If you want to cool off in the middle of the ride bring bathers and a towel.
Martin was a great tour guide. Very fun and gorgeous views. Beautiful tour guide. Memorable experience.
Wow, what a great adventure our guide Martin took us on. Into beautiful national park adjacent to Marseille with spectacular views and a stop in a small harbour for a swim and or drink snack at local bar. Was challenging for the novice mountain biker but enough potential for fun for more experienced bikers and of course the electric assist just made it fun. Would highly recommend for other adventurous kiwis.
This tour was great. We know how to ride bicycles but have never e-biked before but they are quick to learn and the guides go over it with you. We rode through the 8th to a local park and then through the national park. We took little stops along the way to learn some local history and knowledge and to make sure everyone was biking okay. Once at the beach in the national park, we had about 45 min break to swim and we packed some sandwiches. The windy hill in/out is steep and you have to be mindful of walkers and sometimes cars. It never gets dangerous but definitely gets sporty and you’ll need to bring plenty of water for your breaks. A really fun experience and highly recommend!!
The view is spectacular really a nice ride. Vincent was patient and attentive to the client …………..,,,,,,,
Four of our family of five had an incredible time on this eBike tour. we give the tour 5-stars, and especially our guide Vincent was a tremendous guide. We all strongly recommend you consider this outing. This views are beautiful and for adventurers the trails were a ton of fun. The 5th member of our family is less adventurous, and is a female in her 50s and is not an athlete so struggled pretty significantly on the difficult hills, as the eBike alone even in turbo mode requires a bit of effort.
This was a blast! Such a beautiful ride. Frank was a great guide, making sure the whole group was taken care of. The bikes were really well maintained. Take the ferry from Vieux Port to La Pointe Rouge! Only 5 EU each way. The bike shop is just a 3 minute walk from the dock. Highlight of the trip! (And a pretty good work out)
Beautiful scenery and super fun! The views were amazing and it was a good workout! Could have spent much more time at the beach, but it was so pretty and a refreshing dip!
Beautiful trip and a nice guide. We had a wonderfull day and the electric bikes where a lot of help. Friendly guide. He spoke english and was a great guy.
Definitely the best thing to do in marseille if you like out door and nature. Martin the guide, was awesome. We were late due to heavy traffic and he waited for us. Very friendly, always mindful about those with less experience on bikes. If ever back here, will do it again. 100% worth it.
Views are unmatched on this tour. Guides were super nice and helpful if you had any issues on the climbs. One helpful thing, if you are staying in Marseille you can take a ferry to and from the meet up point about 200 meters away the ferry will drop you off and pick you up. Just look at the schedule.
Great experience. Guide was very knowledgeable and infomative. Views were amazing. English speaking guide. Highly recommend. Good length of tour.
Monday through Friday 9 am to 7 pm EST
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