Calanque

Calanque near Marseille

Calanques between Marseille and Cassis

Calanque Sormiou with a view of Cap Morgiou

A calanque ( Corsican : Calanca , pl. Calanche ) is a narrow, steep-walled coastal incision in the limestone of the Mediterranean Sea . Such a bay has a fjord-like character. Particularly attractive is the Massif des Calanques along the coast of the Bouches-du-Rhône department in southern France , 20 km in length between Marseille and Cassis , which also includes the elevations of the Massif de Marseilleveyre (432 m) and Mont Puget (565 m). Sormiou are among the most famous calanques( 43 ° 13 ′  N , 5 ° 25 ′  E ), En Vau ( 43 ° 12 ′  N , 5 ° 30 ′  E ) and Port-Miou ( 43 ° 13 ′  N , 5 ° 31 ′  E ) (the latter became to a marina).

The calanques are a special ecosystem . There is almost no soil there , the plants are anchored in the crevices and cracks in the rock. The climate is dry and the moisture that is present comes mainly from the evaporation of sea water and the salty spray of the surf, resulting in a unique flora and fauna .

In the Calanque of Morgiou is the Henri Cosquer Cave , where you can find cave paintings dating from between 27,000 and 19,000 BC. And represent bison, horses, ibex, but also marine animals such as seals and alks. The entrance to the cave is now 37 meters below the water level.

The Calanques attract millions of tourists all year round, who crisscross the area on the numerous hiking trails. This sometimes creates problems for the sensitive environment. The calanques are also a popular climbing area. From the beginning of July to mid-September, the calanques are temporarily closed to tourists due to the increased risk of fire by order of the prefect , only the hiking trail along the coast is accessible.

The Calanques between Marseille and Cassis were declared Parc National des Calanques in mid-2011 .

and display information about the image

Map of the Calanques from Marseille- Les Goudes (left) via Cassis to La Ciotat (right)

literature

• Susanne Böttcher, Antje Schultz (Ed.): Provence (=  Michelin - The Green Guide ). 1st edition. Travel-House-Media, Munich 2006, ISBN 978-3-8342-8998-8 , p. 145 f . ( from Google Books [accessed September 1, 2012]).

Web links

Wiktionary: Calanque  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations

Commons : Calanques  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

1. ↑ kletterfuehrer.net
2. ^ Parc national des Calanques. Retrieved April 3, 2017 (French). 

Coordinates: 43 ° 12 ′ 0 "  N , 5 ° 30 ′ 22"  E