Coastal Walk

👟 about 7 km round trip
⌛ 2 to 3 hours

Starting from the Tourist Office, stroll along the harbour and let yourself be charmed by the picturesque names and bright colours of our famous pointus, the traditional boats typical of Provence. These emblematic vessels, some of which are officially recognised as maritime heritage, are the pride and soul of our port and offer an authentic spectacle—an invitation to contemplate and discover our local seafaring traditions.

This former defensive tower, built at the end of the 13th century, is open to visitors free of charge. Inside, you can explore its fascinating history and admire a local collection of underwater archaeology.
Climbing the Tower—about 20 metres high—rewards you with a stunning 360° panorama over the colourful rooftops, surrounding hills, the Bay of Sanary and nearby islands. (Note: the stairs and ladders are quite steep.)

Descending the Tower, head toward the harbour master’s office to reach an intersection marked by a beautiful eucalyptus tree, then follow the Montée des Oratoires.

This charming, flower-lined path of 47 gentle steps offers wonderful viewpoints over the Sanary bay and Les Embiez Island…

At the top stands the small Notre-Dame de Pitié Chapel, where you can pause to see its maritime ex-votos and a polychrome wooden Pietà, listed as a historic monument.

Continue along the Chemin de la Colline, once a refuge for German and Austrian intellectuals fleeing the Nazi regime. Nobel laureate Thomas Mann, Bruno Frank and composer Alma Mahler lived here for a time. Interpretation panels along the way share their stories.
You will also pass the Villa Baobab, former home of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, who, with Frédéric Dumas and Philippe Tailliez, revolutionised scuba diving here—the trio was nicknamed Les Mousquemers.

At the end of the hill path, a small pedestrian descent leads to Avenue de Verdun and the Portissol district. Its beautiful sandy beach, about 200 m long, has roots in Antiquity, with Greek and Roman remains discovered on site. Known for exceptional marine life, Portissol also features an underwater trail to explore its rich seabed.

This peaceful park offers sweeping views of the Embiez and Rouveau islands and is also pet-friendly.

A coastal battery was installed here in 1695, with fortifications strengthened during the Franco-British crisis of 1840. Today, the site has been rewilded into a scenic walking area with trails that protect the fragile flora while offering spectacular Mediterranean vistas from Cap Sicié in the east to the Marseille calanques in the west…

Today, this headland has returned to nature, offering scenic paths that preserve its fragile flora and open onto striking Mediterranean vistas, from Cap Sicié’s rugged outline to the dramatic calanques of Marseille—an unforgettable spot for sunset views and salty breezes !