niolon and the côte bleue: the mediterranean's best-kept village
No hotel here. Just the sea, the village, and the house for you.
a fishing hamlet in an inhabited calanque
Niolon is a calanque village suspended between cliff and water: a handful of cabanons, a small fishing harbour, a well-known diving centre, and the silence of the off-season. Marseille locals have been coming here for generations. There is no hotel, and that is precisely what makes the place rare.
the côte bleue: between marseille and the calanques
From L'Estaque to Martigues, the Côte Bleue lines up coves, railway viaducts and pine woods above turquoise water, protected by the Marine Park. It is Marseille's discreet coastline: more local, more real. The coastal train runs its whole length, viaduct after viaduct.
how to reach niolon
By train: the Côte Bleue line from Marseille Saint-Charles, Niolon stop, about 20 minutes; the station is 300 m from the house. By car: 25 to 30 minutes from Marseille, free parking at the entrance to the village.
what to do in niolon and on the côte bleue
swimming
The Niolon calanque on foot, La Redonne and its coves a few minutes away.
hiking
The customs officers' path and the GR 51 start from the village, above the Marine Park.
diving & snorkelling
Niolon is a renowned diving spot; the clear water is made for mask and snorkel.
eating
The harbour restaurant below, and the tables of Carry-le-Rouet 10 minutes away.