We're certainly not the first ones to fall in love with the south of France, Provence, or the Calanques, but we also don't see any reason why you shouldn't be next. One of Europe's best-loved and most unique climbing areas, the cliffs around Cassis and Les Calanques are host to some of the prettiest climbing on Earth. We sometimes describe it as a bit like a limestone Red Rocks, except in France and on the water. Think: world-class climbing routes, cuisine, scenery and beaches, not to mention all the rest of what gives Provence its je ne sais quoi.
While everyone usually refers to the area as Les Calanques (which means "The Coves"), we'll actually be climbing in two completely different areas over the course of our retreat. The Calanques are a series of steep-walled, gorgeous inlets that dot the coastline of France's southernmost region, Provence. For an idea of what this place looks like, just Google "Calanque d'en Vau." It'll make you want to book a flight instantly, promise.
Les Calanques offer amazing climbs on perfect limestone similar to what you might find on some of our other retreats in Sicily or Greece, but what makes the area so unique are the routes' proximity to the sea. Many of the cliffs in Les Calanques are perched right over the water, making for crags with unreal views, and multi-pitch climbs with the waves crashing below. Some of the most fun are actually traverses, moving more sideways than upwards before culminating in a final climb to the top.
But this is only half the story of climbing in Cassis, because Cap Canaille—France's highest sea cliff—also sits right above town. Not only is it big, it's also made of a completely different rock. A mix of sandstone and conglomerates, the climbs at Cap Canaille are wildly steep and exposed, yet not nearly as difficult as they look thanks to massive holds and craftily-devised routes. One She Moves Mountains alum who climbed there this year described it as "simply the most fun she'd ever had climbing." And we'd have to agree.
Save your spot now, and join us for some unforgettable climbing in Provence!
Les Calanques Climbing Retreat
- Regular price
- $5,090.00 USD
- Sale price
- $5,090.00 USD
- Regular price
What's Included & Not Included
What's Included & Not Included
Included:
- Low-ratio, personalized guiding from fantastic guides with local expertise.
- Six nights’ accommodation at the charming Hotel de la Plage Mahogany.
- Daily breakfasts at the hotel.
- Fantastic welcome and farewell dinners of our favorite local foods.
- Transportation to and from climbing.
- Gratuities for hotel and restaurant services.
- All group climbing gear (ropes, anchors, etc.).
Not Included:
- Trip insurance.
- Airfare.
- Transportation to and from the Hotel de la Plage Mahogany upon arrival and departure.
- Personal climbing equipment (we will send a list of what's required).
- Dinner on days 1, 3, 4 & 5.
- Lunches and snacks.
- Gratuities for your guides. We recommend between 15-25% depending on your experience.
Room Selection
Room Selection
If you want to share a room with a friend and you each want your own bed, please book "bed in shared room" and note who you would like to room with in the "special instructions" section at checkout. As long as there are two spots available to sign up, we will be able to put you in the same room. If you want to share a bed in a private room, please book a "private room" and a "bed in shared room for two."
Cancellation & Trip Insurance
Cancellation & Trip Insurance
We have a very strict cancellation policy. We recommend purchasing trip protection to protect your investment.
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Climbing
Like all of our retreats, Les Calanques is perfect for climbers of any skill level, and is a great place to push your limits, work on your lead game, or just enjoy the ride. If you feel comfortable climbing 5.8-5.10 in the gym, this trip is going to be perfect for you. Unlike the cracks of Yosemite or the tiny holds of Smith Rock, Mediterranean limestone tends to be a more fun and more straightforward. Each day we’ll head out in small groups and make sure you’re paired with climbers and climbs that match your ability (so you don’t have to worry about being held back or pushed too far). Our expert guides will help you through it all, both on the ground and on route.
Accommodations
Our home for the week will be the picturesque Hotel de la Plage Mahogany. Perched just above the sea and moments from the beach, it's just minutes to town and its amenities include a spa and sauna, two restaurants, and a cocktail bar. The rooms are simple but well-appointed, and the views are great. If you're not familiar with Provence's reputation among travelers, it's long been known for being sunny, gorgeous, and stacked with beautiful beaches, picturesque villages, delicious food, great wine, and friendly locals. Even amongst the French, the region has a reputation as a vacation destination par excellence. The problem for most visitors tends to be not wanting to leave. Now that you've been warned, you can plan accordingly. We've also timed this trip so that you can enjoy the start of summer to its fullest, and we think you're going to like it in Cassis. The town is located in between the city of Marseille to the west and the famed Cote d'Azur (think St. Tropez, Cannes and Nice) to the east. Cassis itself is a small, but thoroughly charming port town surrounded by hills, cliffs and vineyards.
Meals
For breakfast, the hotel offers a buffet of pastries, local cheeses, breads, eggs, fruits, and more. A variety of lunch and snack options are available at the many cafes and markets that line the streets just a short walk from your doorstep, and for dinner, we'll start and end the trip at some of our favorite local spots, where you can tuck into a variety of Provencal and French favorites, including amazing local seafood. You'll be on your own to explore the rest of the evenings, and with everything from pizza to fine dining within reach, we think you'll be just fine.
Schedule
Day 1 | Bienvenue en France!
You get yourself to Cassis and we’ll have a cozy room and a nice bed waiting for you. The nearest airport is in Marseille, just an hour's drive away. We'll help you connect with other participants to arrange shuttles, or you can rent a car or take the train. Either way, you’ll be free to arrive whenever you can, and to dip your toes into the sea or your fork into something good at one of Cassis's many delightful restaurants. As folks will be getting in at all different times, we'll officially start the trip with breakfast the following day.
Day 2 | Climbing Day #1 & Welcome Dinner
We’ll begin our trip with getting the whole team together for breakfast at the hotel, where we'll spend some time getting to know each other before we head out to climb. We’ll break into small groups and head to a variety of climbs, and our destinations will be tailored to meet everybody's goals and abilities. Wherever we go, we'll all start with a quick review of belay skills and lead tests (for those interested in leading throughout the week). After that we'll spend the day on the rock and come back to town in time for a welcome dinner at one of our favorite restaurants.
Day 3 | Climbing Day #2
We’ll repeat our routine again with breakfast at the hotel before heading out to climb. Some groups will head out to crag, while we'll also continue to get folks out on multi-pitch climbs so that everyone can get in at least one during the week. These will be done in groups of two climbers to a guide, and the options really are limitless. They're also super unique as some climb right above the water! With so much to choose from, we’ll pick our objectives based on what type and difficulty of climbing folks are after, and whether we’re looking for sun or shade. After another day on the rock, we’ll come back to town again where you'll be on your own for the evening.
Day 4 | Rest Day or Climbing Day #3
Our guides will be ready to go for those who want to keep on climbing, but since most of us can't keep crushing for five days in a row, we suggest you give yourself a day to relax. What we actually suggest is that you go for a hike or a boat ride to the famous Calanque d'en Vau to beach it up for the day, then maybe poke around town or get a massage at the hotel, then relax with a nice glass of wine and some dinner. But hey - that's us. You are in Provence on the French Riviera after all, so it's hard to go wrong.
Day 5 | Climbing Day #4
You guessed it: we’ll start the day again with breakfast and once more head out to climb. We'll also try to reshuffle our groups and guides depending on skill levels and goals, and we'll do our best to make sure everyone gets a chance to climb as many routes as they want.
Day 6 | Climbing Day #5 & Farewell Dinner
We’ll once again start with breakfast and, sadly, this will be our last climbing day of the trip. It will also be our last night together, so we'll make it a special one with a farewell dinner and drinks.
Day 7 | Heading Home
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and you’ll have to go home. Well, you don't have to go home exactly, but you'll be free to head wherever you're off to next (and we’ll miss you, of course). You're also welcome to stick around for another day or two of multi-pitch climbing with our amazing guides (this part costs a little extra).
FAQs
Age & Physical Requirements
- Ability to hike three miles over varied terrain while carrying a 15lb backpack. The approaches aren't all long in The Calanques, but some of them are, so be prepared to hike between a half hour or in some cases upwards of an hour to get to the multi-pitch routes.
- Ability to do 20 squats.
- Ability to top rope 5.9 in the gym without taking or falling.
- Must know how to top-rope belay.
- Must be 18 years of age or older.
- Please note that it is mandatory for all participants to be fully vaccinated prior to attending this trip.
Travel Information
You've got options! The easiest way is fly into the international airport at Marseille (about an hour west of Cassis) and to book a group shuttle with other participants. We'll help you coordinate on that one, and it's pretty easy and affordable. You can also rent a car and drive the 50 minutes to Cassis, take a taxi for about €100-150, or combine trains and buses to get to Cassis inexpensively from just about anywhere in France. We'll also help connect everyone who wants to prior to the trip to coordinate on travel arrangements.
How many participants come by themselves?
The majority of climbers come to our retreats alone - somewhere around 90%. If you are hesitating to join because you would be coming solo, please know that we expect a majority of our participants to be joining by themselves.
I've never climbed before. Can I still attend?
You do not need to be an experienced climber to attend, but we recommend some climbing experience before signing up for a week of climbing. We recommend that everyone attending is able to top-rope a 5.9 in a climbing gym without taking or falling. While climbing 5.9 in a climbing gym is different than climbing a 5.9 outside, having the ability to climb 5.9 in the gym will set you up to have a great time in Cassis.
I'm an advanced climber. Will I be able to lead climb?
Probably. Lead climbing is certainly not a requirement for anybody on the trip, but we're happy to let you lead as long as you have prior experience as a leader and can pass a belay test similar to those found in most gyms (minus the falling).
Our main goal is to keep everyone safe, so on our first day out together we’ll just want to see that everyone is able to manage the rope, communicate, lead and belay safely before being cleared to do it throughout the week. If you don’t plan on leading, we’ll just want to go through a quick belay test to make sure you’re good to go belaying those who are.
For those aspiring to lead, we will try our best to coach you through the process throughout the week with the aim of you learning to do so safely.
What is the average age of climbers who attend?
We generally have a wide range of ages at our retreats. The average tends to fall anywhere between the ages of 26 to 45. But we have had quite a few women in their 60's join as well. It really is up to the attitude and physical ability of the participant.
What if I've never multi-pitch climbed before?
No sweat. Our guides are all world-class instructors and will be happy to show you the ropes (pun intended). In all seriousness though, you do not need any mulitpitch experience whatsoever to enjoy multipitch climbs on this retreat. We'll teach you everything you need to know, and all you need to do is come willing to learn.
What will the weather be like?
Summery and nice! Temperatures should be warm enough to enjoy the beach, yet cool enough in the shade to be good for climbing. You can expect highs in the 70's and 80's most days, with nights dipping down into the 60's. The average highs in June are 79°F, and June is a dry month in the area with only a few days of rain most years. Of course we can never promise the weather will be perfect, but June is a great time to be in Cassis.
How many people will be on the trip, and is it mostly men or women?
If the trip fills, we'll have 18 climbers and 6 guides. Our daily single-pitch groups will consist of 4-5 climbers per guide, letting us have our ropes on 2-3 routes at a time. Each day 3 guides will also take groups of 2 climbers each out multipitch climbing.
Our trips are 90% women. Men are perfectly welcome, but they tend to be outnumbered, making even these mixed gender trips a very woman-centric space. Our guide team will also predominantly be made up of women.
What if I have dietary restrictions?
The food offerings in Cassis are eclectic and international enough that you shouldn't have any trouble. We'll have a breakfast buffet at the hotel in the mornings and be at nice restaurants for the few nights we eat out together too, and we'll do our best to make sure you're taken care of. Traditional Provencal food does involves a lot of meat, seafood and dairy, but we've had celiacs, vegans and vegetarians come on our trips in the past and they did just fine. Vegetarian options are widely available, and vegans may just find navigating the French love of meat and dairy to take a little extra effort.
I'm plus sized. Am I able to climb?
We aren't experts in this area as this is not the lived experience of our current instructor team. But we want you here and we are committed to making your experience a positive one.
If you can:
- Hike three miles over varied terrain while carrying a 15 lb backpack
- Do 20 squats
- Have good balance
- And maintain a positive attitude
CLIMBING IS FOR YOU!
Currently the most limiting factor is the ability to fit into a harness. We have harnesses that can accommodate up to a 56inch waist. We are looking into getting a fleet of fully adjustable harnesses before next season starts.
If you want to learn more from plus sized climbers I highly recommend looking into Climb Big. Climb Big is an organization with a mission to "Make climbing more accessible for fat folx."
Can I bring my pet?
We know you love your fur babies, but unfortunately we cannot allow pets on any of our group trips or clinics.
Are payment plans available?
Yes we have two types of payment options. Please visit our Payment Plans page for more information.
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