Route des Crêtes and Cap Canaille (Cassis): tips + photos

The Route des Crêtes is a spectacular route winding along the limestone cliffs between Cassis and La Ciotat. You’ll discover breathtaking panoramas of the Mediterranean Sea, rock formations and Provencal flora. This picturesque road is one of the most beautiful on the Côte d’Azur.

Here are some useful tips for planning your route along the Route des Crêtes between Cassis and La Ciotat.

This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.

Content masquer

Is the Route des Crêtes worth the effort?

What you can see

Route des Crêtes in Provence: how to get there

Visiting the Route des Crêtes: useful tips

Is the Route des Crêtes worth the effort?

Without a doubt! The D141, more commonly known as the “Route des Crêtes”, criss-crosses the peaks of the Soubeyranes cliffs.
We loved admiring the nature and magnificent landscapes that surround it. This panoramic route between Cassis and La Ciotat offers breathtaking views of the Mediterranean, beaches and cliffs. It’s a great way to discover the wild beauty of Provence.

The Route des Crêtes is an itinerary not to be missed if you’re visiting the Côte d’Azur! In fact, it’s one of the must-do activities on the Côte d’Azur!

Would you like to discover the Route des Crêtes and its breathtaking scenery? Book your private tour now!

What you can see

Breathtaking views of the Mediterranean

All along the Route des Crêtes, you can admire breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea. We loved watching the crystal-clear waters in shades of deep blue and turquoise.

The steep cliffs and rocky capes offer unique views of the calanques and beaches. We enjoyed discovering landscapes and towns from the majestic heights of the Route des Crêtes.

The famous Cap Canaille

The highlight of the Route des Crêtes is the majestic Cap Canaille! We learned that, at 363m, it is the highest sea cliff in Europe! The view from the summit is breathtaking! You can admire the Bay of Cassis, the calanques, the Mediterranean Sea and even the Riou archipelago.

OUR TPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR IN Provence

Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
There is a lot of demand, book it early.

See the cars

See our tips

The cliffs of Cassis

During our trip, we couldn’t miss the Cassis cliffs. They are one of the natural jewels of the Côte d’Azur. From the Route des Crêtes, you can contemplate them from different angles.

We enjoyed the views of these impressive rock formations. The cliffs stretch for several kilometers, from Cap Canaille to the calanques. Their varied colors and shapes, from dazzling white to dark gray, ochre and reddish hues, really appealed to us.

You can admire them from the road, but also from the town of Cassis, which they elegantly overlook. These limestone cliffs, sculpted by erosion over the millennia, are an unforgettable souvenir of our stay in Provence.

Calanques National Park

Along the way, you can admire part of the Parc National des Calanques. The Route des Crêtes does not directly cross the Parc National des Calanques, but runs along part of its boundary. We enjoyed watching the scenery from the many vantage points overlooking the calanques and the park.

Open your eyes wide! You might even spot the national park’s emblematic calanques, such as Port-Miou and Port-Pin. We also recommend visiting the Parc National des Calanques by boat. If you like walking, we loved the Calanques de Port-Miou and Port-Pin hikes.

La Plage de l’Arène

On our Route des Crêtes tour, we really enjoyed watching the Plage de l’Arène from the top of Cap Canaille. It was like visiting it a second time, but from the same vantage point we’d admired so much on the beach.
We recommend that you take the time to observe this beach, one of the most beautiful in Cassis. Its long stretch of white sand, crystal-clear water and lush vegetation won us over.

WHERE TO STAY IN Cassis

Option 1 : Around Bestouan beach

More peace and quiet between the calanques and the city

Hotel Les Roches Blanches – prices, pictures and availability
Hotel Le Jardin d’Emile – prices, pictures and availability

Option 2: Downtown

Close to restaurants and activities

Hotel HPC – prices, pictures and availability
Hotel Eden – prices, pictures and availability

See our reviews of the best hotels in Cassis

See all available accommodations

Typical scrubland vegetation

The Route des Crêtes is also a great way to see the varied landscapes of the Parc National des Calanques. For example, we recognized forests of Aleppo pine and holm oak.

Of course, you can’t miss the typical vegetation of southern France: garrigue and maquis. These are short, compact plant formations that often appear very dense. They are composed mainly of robust shrubs and bushes capable of withstanding drought. You can take a closer look at them in the botanical garden at Plage du Mugel in La Ciotat.

Finally, the rock formations that punctuate this sunny flora are an integral part of the landscape. We enjoyed observing the different colors of the rock.

The Riou archipelago

We enjoyed watching the Riou Archipelago from the high cliffs. These islands in the Parc National des Calanques are a major refuge for flora and many seabirds.

From the Route des Crêtes, you can see the white limestone rocks that characterize the region’s relief.

Cassis from above

The last stage of our Route des Crêtes journey offered us a majestic view of Cassis. We enjoyed discovering the city this way. Keep your eyes peeled for beaches, typical Provencal houses and even vineyards!

This road is one of the best attractions around Cassis!

Route des Crêtes in Provence: how to get there

Where is the Route des Crêtes?

This magnificent 17km road links Cassis to the Bay of La Ciotat.
Allow 30min of non-stop driving to link the 2 towns via this route.

Here’s a map of the main towns on the Côte d’Azur to help you find your way around:

map best cities cote azur — Main cities on the Côte d’Azur

Visiting difficulties

We didn’t notice any particular difficulties on the Route des Crêtes. It’s winding, but driving it is not difficult! So don’t worry. Whatever your vehicle or driving experience, you can take this route without any worries.

HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities

Great kayak trips in:
Saint-Tropez to the Ramatuelle reserve
Cassis to the calanques
Helicopter flight from Cannes
Shuttle service along the coast between Nice and Saint-Tropez
Bike tours: eBike in Nice – Mountain biking in the Esterel massif

Visiting the Route des Crêtes: useful tips

How long

The Route des Crêtes can be covered in around 30min if you don’t stop off. However, we advise you to allow at least 1 hour if you wish to enjoy the viewpoints, stop to admire the scenery etc. That’s the beauty of this magnificent itinerary!

Best moment

The Route des Crêtes is open all year round, with a few exceptions:

When it’s very windy, the road is closed. So don’t forget to check the weather forecast before planning your route. Find out more here.
Of course, we advise you to plan a visit on a fine-weather day. The journey will be more pleasant, but above all you’ll be able to admire the scenery more clearly.
We also recommend taking the route early in the day. Indeed, parking spaces at viewpoints are not very large. Parking will be easier if you avoid the crowds.
Note that from April 28 to September 29, 2024, the Route des Crêtes will be pedestrian-only every Sunday. So plan to go another day.

Direction of visit

There is no set direction for the Route des Crêtes. You can leave Cassis for the bay of La Ciotat and vice versa. We sailed from La Ciotat to Cassis and really enjoyed the experience.

Eating out

The Route des Crêtes links the towns of Cassis and La Ciotat. Two towns that are home to some very fine restaurants. Depending on your point of departure and the time you choose to cover the route, you can enjoy a meal before or afterwards in one of these 2 destinations. We’ve tested the best restaurants in La Ciotat and the finest tables in Cassis! You’re spoilt for choice!