Calanques National Park hosts Autumn of the Calanques to 1 November
Published on 10/04/2026 at 03:15 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Calanques National Park (Parc national des Calanques) is hosting Autumn of the Calanques from 26 September to 1 November 2026 across the protected area around Marseille. The programme links walks, talks and screenings with the history of the coast, its natural resources and changing relationship with people.
Autumn of the Calanques brings events through 1 November
The seventh edition is organised by the Calanques National Park public institution and includes around 50 events. The programme examines time and nature, with a particular focus on pastoral traditions and the way earlier resource use affected the Calanques.
The programme continues in October with a screening of the documentary Coinces ? Coup de chaud dans les Calanques at Cosquer Mediterranee on 7 October 2026. The event is listed with director Sacha Bollet and rapper and storyteller Faf La Rage. On 22 October 2026, the Récits insolites des Calanques conference brings together historian Judith Aziza, underwater archaeologist Luc Vanrell and park representative Magali Veyrat. The official autumn programme places both events within the wider series.
Marseille coast and marine core shape the programme
The protected area was created on 18 April 2012 by decree of the French Prime Minister. Its terrestrial core covers 8,500 hectares across Marseille, Cassis and La Ciotat, while its marine core covers 43,500 hectares.
This combination of land and sea gives the autumn programme a setting that differs from a conventional city festival. A screening at Cosquer Mediterranee connects the cultural schedule with the park’s coastal and archaeological context, while the October conference brings the history of the Calanques directly into the programme. The park is managed by a public institution whose remit includes natural, landscape and cultural heritage. Its park identity information describes a protected territory between Marseille, Cassis and La Ciotat.
Autumn events connect protected land with local history
Autumn of the Calanques is not confined to one auditorium or one trail. The programme presents the territory through public events at locations including Cosquer Mediterranee, the Maison du Parc in La Ciotat and sites around Marseille and Cassis.
The emphasis on pastoralism adds a historical layer to visits during October 2026. The organisers describe the series as an opportunity to consider how earlier agricultural practices and resource use can inform the resilience of the territory today.
Visiting Calanques National Park: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Autumn of the Calanques runs from 26 September to 1 November 2026. The documentary screening is on 7 October 2026 at Cosquer Mediterranee, and the Récits insolites des Calanques conference is on 22 October 2026.
- The programme uses several venues in the Marseille, Cassis and La Ciotat area. The event page identifies Cosquer Mediterranee for the 7 October screening, while other programme items take place at sites across the protected territory.
- The park stretches between Marseille, Cassis and La Ciotat, with land, islands and marine areas. Access conditions can vary by route and fire risk, so the current access rules should be checked before travelling.
- The terrain includes rocky coastal inlets, hills and exposed paths. Visitors attending an event away from an urban venue should allow for uneven ground and follow the instructions issued for that event.
- French is the official language and the currency is the euro.
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Frequently asked questions about Calanques National Park
When does Autumn of the Calanques take place at Calanques National Park?
The programme runs from 26 September to 1 November 2026, with events at venues across the Marseille, Cassis and La Ciotat area.
What is Calanques National Park?
It is a protected land and marine area created on 18 April 2012, with a terrestrial core of 8,500 hectares and a marine core of 43,500 hectares.
Where is Calanques National Park and how do you get there?
The park lies between Marseille, Cassis and La Ciotat. The appropriate access route depends on the venue and current local conditions, including fire-risk restrictions.
