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The Route des Crêtes in Cassis offers more than just a view of the bay. Along these 14 km of Soubeyranes cliffs, between Cassis and La Ciotat, peregrine falcons, European eagle-owls and crested cormorants make their homes – a rarity on the mainland coastline.
Modern painters and filmmakers have also chosen this ochre-coloured setting for their works. From our campsite in Provence, this natural and artistic sanctuary is less than 20 minutes away. What protected wildlife inhabits these cliffs, and why has it left such a lasting impression on artists? Find the answers below!
Key points to remember
- The Route des Crêtes runs for 14 km between Cassis and La Ciotat, through the heart of the Calanques National Park.
- Cap Canaille rises to a height of 394 metres and was formed 80 million years ago.
- Peregrine falcons, European eagle-owls and crested cormorants nest on these protected cliffs.
- Modern painters and filmmakers have chosen this setting for their works.
- From our campsite in Aubagne, it takes about 20 minutes by car to reach the first viewing points.
A sanctuary for rare wildlife along the coast
At the top of the Soubeyranes cliffs, the Route des Crêtes is home to one of the few breeding colonies of crested cormorants on the French mainland coastline, according to the Calanques National Park.
The Cassis Tourist Office, in fact, describes Cap Canaille as France’s highest sea cliff.
The peregrine falcon and the Eurasian eagle-owl hunt high above the abyss, making the most of the updrafts created by the cliff.
The rocky crevices are also home to a small, elusive fauna: the Mauritanian tarentula, a southern gecko, and the southern tree frog, a species endemic to the Mediterranean region.
Amongst the pine trees replanted after the 1982 fire, the garrigue is home to the false laburnum and the dwarf saladelle, two protected coastal plants.
Useful information from the Youcamp Village campsite team: between spring and summer, please avoid going near the edge of the marked nesting areas. Peregrine falcons hunt mainly in the early morning, which is an ideal time to try spotting them through binoculars from the designated car parks, before the heat drives
the wildlife into the shade of the ravines.
A setting that has inspired painters and filmmakers
Before becoming a favourite spot for photographers, Cap Canaille caught the attention of modern painters. Signac, Camoin and Manguin set up their easels facing these reddish-ochre cliffs, drawn by the contrast between the rock and the blue of the Mediterranean. The film industry followed suit: Jean-Pierre Melville’s *Le Deuxième Souffle* and *La French* both filmed scenes on these cliff-top roads. Along the Route des Crêtes in Cassis, several landmarks mark this history: the Bec de l’Aigle semaphore station, the Notre-Dame de la Garde chapel, and a villa that once belonged to the actor Michel Simon. “Many of our holidaymakers recognise a film set even before they’ve visited the Route des Crêtes,” notes the team at the Youcamp Village campsite.
What other route combines protected wildlife and cinematic heritage quite as well as the Route des Crêtes in Cassis? To see for yourself just how rich this exceptional site is, book your mobile home near Marseille.
FAQ – Your questions about the Route des Crêtes in Cassis
No, sightings are more likely between spring and summer, when the peregrine falcon – a species protected under the French Wildlife Protection Act (LPO) – actively hunts above the Soubeyranes cliffs to feed its young. In autumn and winter, it remains present but is less conspicuous. A pair of binoculars and a little patience, early in the morning, are still your best bet for spotting it.
Yes, two films were shot there: Jean-Pierre Melville’s Le Deuxième Souffle and La French, both set against the backdrop of the cliffs at Cap Canaille. The site has also long attracted photographers and painters, drawn by the contrast between the ochre-coloured rock and the blue of the Mediterranean.
Yes, Cap Canaille and the Route des Crêtes are situated within the Calanques National Park, which protects the flora and fauna of these cliffs. This management policy explains the traffic regulations and the quiet zones set aside for nesting.
Sources:
- Parc national des Calanques, Le cap Canaille : https://www.calanques-parcnational.fr/fr/cap-canaille-falaises-soubeyranes-route-des-cretes-sainte-fretouse-cassis-la-ciotat
- LPO, Faucon pèlerin : https://www.lpo.fr/decouvrir-la-nature/fiches-especes/fiches-especes/oiseaux/rapaces/faucon-pelerin
- Cassis Tourist Office , The Cap Canaille and the Route des Crêtes : https://www.ot-cassis.com/en/explore/cap-canaille-and-the-cretes/