Anchorage

Calanque d'en Vau

Shelter: NW, N, NE, W, SW, S
Seabed: sand, rock, algae
Anchoring: Forbidden

Narrow limestone calanque between Cassis and Marseille, inside the Parc national des Calanques. Anchoring is now prohibited inside the creek; visitors come by dinghy or on foot.

Beach
Seagrass

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach from the south between Cap Gros and the Pouce rock spire, with the deep inlet opening to the SSE. Protected from the mistral by 150 m cliffs on both sides but funnels swell from the S and SE. Daytime stops only on dedicated buoys where installed; no overnight anchor drop in the core zone.

Ashore

Landing beach of white pebbles at the head of the calanque. Footpath up to the Belvedere d'en Vau and on to Port-Miou in about 1 hour 30. Nearest shops in Cassis, 1.7 NM NE.

History

The calanque was quarried in the 19th century for its Cassis stone, used for the base of the Statue of Liberty and parts of the Suez Canal. Quarrying stopped in the 1980s and the site was included in the Parc national des Calanques created in 2012.

Key facts

Type: Anchorage
Coordinates: 43.20068, 5.50192 (43°12.04'N 5°30.11'E)
Country: France
Shelter: Sheltered from north-west, north, north-east, west, south-west, south winds
Seabed: sand, rock, algae
Anchoring: Forbidden
Fees: Paid
Services: Beach, Seagrass
Boaters' rating: 4.7/5
Last updated: July 7, 2026