La Côte Bleue – Massif de la Nerthe – Carry-le-Rouet

C'est une succession de calanques, de petites criques et de plages blotties contre la chaîne de l'Estaque. Cette chaîne boucle au nord-ouest de la rade de Marseille en même temps qu'elle protège, sur l'autre versant, le bassin de l'Etang de Berre. C'est un arc calcaire au relief tourmenté, entaillé de vallons étroits et sinueux à l'altitude moyenne. Gestion espace naturel : Domaine du Conservatoire de l'Espace Littoral et des Rivages Lacustres Zone protégée : Réserve biologique

The Côte Bleue (Blue Coast) is a jagged limestone coastline that stretches for 30 kilometres between Martigues and Marseille. It is a succession of calanques (coves), little creeks and beaches nestling against the Estaque Hills One side of this chain encloses the Bay of Marseille on the north-west and, at the same time, its other side protects the basin of Berre Lagoon. It is a limestone arc of wild landscape, cut into by narrow winding vales at medium altitudes (180 – 280 m). The hills drop sharply into the sea along most of the coast; sometimes fishermens hamlets and weekend cabins cling to the steep crags. In the western part, the chain softens into plateaux and there are fine sandy beaches. A regional marine park was created in 1983 on the initiative of four local councils. It includes a 70 hectares conservation area off the coast from Sausset, and a peripheral area of 3,000 hectares that includes the entire coastline of the Blue Coast. There are splendid views from the coastal railway, which was built at the start of the century with several viaducts and tunnels. The best way to explore this coastline by car is to take the roads that go around little pleasure ports, skim the cliffs and wind through the rocky vales and the pinewoods. There are many suitable places for taking casual walks or longer hikes. A footpath called the "Customs officers’ footpath" is being built along the coastline. There is an abrupt descent into the calanque of La Redonne and then acrobatic paths lead to the calanques of Figuières and Méjean. A little further on are Madrague-de-Gignac and Niolon, a small village hanging on the rocky slopes at the end of the calanque of the same name, flanked by a 19th century fort with its cannons, where there is a very active diving centre. Bare and windswept Cap Couronne has a magnificent panorama of the coast and the Bay of Marseille.

Es ist eine Abfolge von Bächen, kleinen Buchten und Stränden, die sich an das Estaque-Gebirge schmiegen. Diese Kette ist ein Kalksteinbogen, der von engen und gewundenen Tälern in mittlerer Höhe durchschnitten wird.

Het is een aaneenschakeling van kreken, kleine inhammen en stranden genesteld tegen de Estaque-keten. Deze keten draait ten noordwesten van de haven van Marseille en beschermt aan de andere kant het bekken van de Etang de Berre. Het is een kalksteenboog met een gekweld reliëf, doorsneden door smalle en bochtige valleien op gemiddelde hoogte. Beheer van het natuurgebied: Domaine du Conservatoire de l'Espace Littoral et des Rivages Lacustres Beschermd gebied: Biologisch reservaat

Es una sucesión de arroyos, pequeños riachuelos y playas anidadas en la cordillera de Estaque. Esta cadena es un arco de piedra caliza cortado por estrechos y sinuosos valles de altura media.

È un susseguirsi di insenature, piccole baie e spiagge incastonate nella catena dell'Estaque. Questa catena si estende a nord-ovest del porto di Marsiglia e protegge, dall'altra parte, il bacino dell'Etang de Berre. È un arco calcareo dal rilievo tormentato, tagliato da valli strette e sinuose a media altitudine. Gestione dell'area naturale: Domaine du Conservatoire de l'Espace Littoral et des Rivages Lacustres Area protetta: Riserva biologica