Calanque

A Calanque ( Corsican: . Calanca, pl calanche ) is a narrow, steilwandiger coast incision in the limestone of the Mediterranean. Such a bay has a fjord-like character. Particularly delightful is the Massif des Calanques along the coast of the Bouches -du -Rhône in southern France is 20 km in length, between Marseille and Cassis, which is also the surveys of the Massif de Marseilleveyre (432 m) and Mont Puget surrounds ( 565 m). Among the most famous Calanques include Sormiou (43 ° 13 ' N, 5 ° 25' O43.2102777777785.4216666666667 ), En Vau (43 ° 12 ' N, 5 ° 30' O43.2019444444445.4986111111111 ) and Port- Miou (43 ° 13 ' N, 5 ° 31 ' O43.215.5205555555556 ) (the latter was developed into a marina ).

The Calanques are a particular ecosystem. There is almost no soil, the plants are rooted in the crevices and cracks in the rock. The climate is dry, and the moisture comes mainly from the evaporation of sea water and the salty spray of the surf, which is a unique flora and fauna with the result.

In the Calanque of Morgiou is the Henry Cosquer cave in which man - 30 meters below the water table - cave paintings found which date from the period 27000-19000 BC, bison, horses, ibex, but also marine animals such as seals and alkene represent.

The Calanques pull all year to millions of tourists who pass through the area on the hiking trails. This creates some problems for the fragile environment. In addition, the Calanques are a popular climbing area. From early July to mid- September, the Calanques are blocked because of the increased fire danger by order of the prefect for tourists, only the coastal walk is accessible.