Calanque coves of Marseille

Kalankas are often called Mediterranean fjords, these are narrow rocky coves with high sheer walls. They are found only on the Mediterranean coast - in the vicinity of Marseille, near Toulon and on the island of Corsica. Unlike the fjords, which have glacial origin, the kalanks are deep mountain gorges, semi-flooded by the sea level that rose over many millions of years.

The name Calanca comes from the Catalan word "calanca", meaning "entry". Naked limestone rocks, in numerous cracks of which rare pines grow, light stone lace lie between the blue sky and the sea. The water in the bays is clean and cold due to the many underground rivers breaking through from the rocks.

Stretching for twenty kilometers between Marseille and the small town of Cassis, the kalanks are popular with tourists because of the beautiful panoramas of the Mediterranean Sea, which opens from the height of the rocks and a picturesque view of the rocks themselves from the sea.