Mountain saddles
Col des Trois Pics
320 m
Park geography
Detailed analysis of park boundaries, marine extent, and coastal landscape distribution
Geographic Profile of Calanques National Park in the Bouches-du-Rhône Region of France
Examine the technical geographic footprint of Calanques National Park, spanning 520 square kilometers of marine and terrestrial landscapes. This profile outlines the regional configuration within Bouches-du-Rhône, including terrain classification, coastal features, and specific natural sites located within its protected boundaries.
Mediterranean limestone cliffs, coves, and marine ecosystems near Marseille
Calanques National Park
Calanques National Park is a French national park established in 2012 on the Mediterranean coast in the Bouches-du-Rhône department of Southern France. It encompasses the famous calanques—steep-walled limestone coves carved by erosion along the rugged littoral between Marseille, Cassis, and La Ciotat. The park covers approximately 520 square kilometers, of which 85 square kilometers is terrestrial land with the remaining area comprising marine environments. Notably, it is the first peri-urban national park in Europe that is both terrestrial and marine, situated immediately adjacent to France's third-largest city, Marseille. The park protects a landscape of dramatic white limestone cliffs descending into vivid blue Mediterranean waters, alongside islands, hidden beaches, and karst cave systems. Its cultural significance spans prehistoric human occupation dating back to the Lower Paleolithic, with the remarkable Cosquer Cave containing cave art from approximately 27,000 years ago.
- Location
- France
- Park type
- National park
- Established
- 2012
- Area
- 520 km²
Location overview
Country and regional positioning within Bouches-du-Rhône
Geographic Profile of Calanques National Park in France
Calanques National Park is positioned within the Bouches-du-Rhône region of France. The protected area is classified as both a coastal and marine park, situated entirely within a single national territory.
- Countries
- France
- Regions
- Bouches-du-Rhône
- Primary location
- Bouches-du-Rhône
- Geographic setting
- Coastal · Marine
Boundary and coordinates
Mapping 520 square kilometers of combined terrestrial and marine territory.
Calanques National Park Boundary Map and Spatial Dimensions
Detailed spatial geometry outlines the coastal and offshore limits of Calanques National Park. Accompanying geographic indicators highlight the distribution of land and marine coverage alongside coordinate extents.
- Boundary area
- 520.1 km²
- Boundary perimeter
- 204 km
- Northernmost point
- 43.2874° N
- Southernmost point
- 43.0194° N
- Easternmost point
- 5.629° E
- Westernmost point
- 5.1917° E
- Geographic centre
- 43.1566° N, 5.4288° E
- North–south span
- 29.8 km
- East–west span
- 35.6 km
Terrain and natural features
Mapped saddles, peaks, bays, and rock formations across the protected landscape
Calanques National Park Terrain Atlas and Named Natural Features
Recorded terrain classifications span mountain relief types alongside numerous internal saddles, peaks, and bays. Linked feature cards supply names, types, and spatial relationships for each recorded landmark.
Selected named natural features
Cave entrances
Aven des Marseillais
Bays
Calanque d'En-Vau
Peaks
Mont du Président
Peaks
Sommet du plateau de la Mounine
189 m
Capes
Cap Canaille
Environmental setting
Stored Mediterranean climate, relief, and habitat classifications
Calanques National Park Environmental Setting and Classification Data
Recorded landscape features, montane forest zones, and coastal waters define the physical setting of Calanques National Park. Stored classifications connect recorded terrain categories to related protected area destinations across the atlas.
- Relief
- Mountain
- Climate
- Mediterranean
- Water
- Major water bodies
- Forest cover
- Sparse forest
Landscape features
Mountains · Cliffs · Coast
Habitat types
Montane forest · Coastal habitat · Marine habitat
Park atlas
Compare protected areas across the Bouches-du-Rhône department, tracing regional park geography and connected Mediterranean conservation landscapes.
Explore Parks Near Calanques National Park: Discover Nearby Protected Areas
After exploring Calanques National Park, continue discovering other national parks and protected areas across the Bouches-du-Rhône department and nearby Mediterranean coastal regions. This structured atlas view allows for geographic comparison of diverse protected landscapes, from marine environments to karst features, providing deeper context for regional conservation efforts.
Nature reserveProvence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
About 31 km away#1 closest
Northwest
Réserve naturelle régionale du Pourra - Domaine du Ranquet: Coastal Lagoon Protected Landscape
Regional Nature Reserve in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Spanning over 300 hectares near Port-de-Bouc, this protected area preserves interconnected Mediterranean lagoons and surrounding marshlands. It offers a distinct geographic perspective on transitional coastal habitats situated within the heavily developed Bouches-du-Rhône department.
- Area
- 3.153 km²
- Established
- 2020
- IUCN
- IV
Regional parkProvence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
31 km away#2 closest
Northwest
Parc naturel régional de Camargue: Mapping the Rhône Delta Protected Wetland Landscape
Regional park geography and wetland conservation zones
Parc naturel régional de Camargue is a sprawling protected landscape at the confluence of the Rhône and the Mediterranean. This regional park contains significant saline lagoons, coastal dunes, and fertile marshes that serve as a crucial site for waterbird migration. Understand the interplay between traditional salt-making, pastoral ranching, and the strictly protected nature reserves that shape this delta territory.
- Area
- 856.9 km²
- Established
- 1970
- IUCN
- V
- Relief
- Lowland
Marine protected areaFrance
41 km away#3 closest
East
Sanctuaire Pelagos Marine Protected Area: Mediterranean Geography and Seascape
A transboundary conservation zone spanning 87,500 square kilometers.
Sanctuaire Pelagos represents a unique collaborative effort in marine conservation across the Mediterranean. Spanning the waters between France, Italy, and Monaco, this protected maritime area is defined by its deep-sea canyons and nutrient-rich currents that sustain diverse cetacean populations. Its immense scale and international governance make it a focal point for understanding Mediterranean marine biodiversity and environmental policy.
- Area
- 87,500 km²
- Established
- 1999
- IUCN
- IV
- Relief
- Lowland
Regional parkProvence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
42 km away#4 closest
North
Parc naturel régional du Luberon: Regional Park Boundaries and Protected Landscape Atlas
Geology, mountain ridges, and Mediterranean ecosystems of Provence
Parc naturel régional du Luberon serves as a vital protected corridor in southeastern France. The park features three parallel limestone massifs, dramatic ochre formations, and fossil-rich plateaus. Its geography offers a case study in integrating sustainable land use with rich biodiversity across the Vaucluse and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence departments.
- Area
- 1,747.26 km²
- Established
- 1977
- IUCN
- V
- Visitors
- 350K annual
Nature reserveProvence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
About 45 km away#5 closest
Northwest
Réserve naturelle régionale de la Poitevine-Regarde-Venir: Steppe Conservation and Geography
Protected dry steppe landscapes in the French Crau region
Delve into the geography of the Réserve naturelle régionale de la Poitevine-Regarde-Venir, a specialized nature reserve that safeguards the distinctive pebbly coussoul of the Crau plain. The area represents a fundamental piece of Mediterranean pastoral history, balancing fragile steppe ecosystems with traditional agricultural meadows.
- Area
- 2.207 km²
- Established
- 2009
- IUCN
- IV
Nature reserveVar
About 47 km away#6 closest
East
Salins d'Hyères Nature Reserve: Coastal Wetland Geography and Protected Landscape Context
Mapped salt pans and wetland habitats on the Var coast.
The Salins d'Hyères consist of a coastal wetland network of salt pans and marshes near the Giens peninsula. This area offers a unique glimpse into the geography of the Var department, where centuries of salt production have created a diverse ecosystem of hypersaline basins, dunes, and coastal pine forests.
- Area
- 9 km²
- Established
- 1983
- IUCN
- IV
- Relief
- Lowland
Nature reserveFrance
About 56 km away#7 closest
Northwest
Réserve naturelle régionale de la Tour du Valat: Mediterranean Wetland and Research Landscape Map
A critical protected area and ecological research estate in the Rhône delta of France.
Located in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, the Réserve naturelle régionale de la Tour du Valat serves as a reference point for Mediterranean wetland science. The reserve features an intricate landscape of marshes, salt meadows, and woodland patches that support diverse birdlife and habitats. This protected area demonstrates the integration of active pastoral land use with habitat management on a significant deltaic estate near Arles.
- Area
- 18.44 km²
- Established
- 2008
- Relief
- Lowland
- Climate
- Mediterranean
Nature reserveProvence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
61 km away#8 closest
East
Réserve naturelle nationale de la plaine des Maures: Protected Areas and Regional Landscape
Mediterranean habitats, cork oak forests, and temporary pool networks.
This nature reserve in the Var department protects a rare confluence of Mediterranean maquis, stone pines, and sandstone-based vernal pools. As a primary mainland habitat for the Hermann's tortoise, the area offers a significant study of lowland ecology and traditional Provençal land use within the broader Massif des Maures context.
- Area
- 52.76 km²
- Established
- 2009
- IUCN
- IV
- Relief
- Mixed relief
MoriAtlas Explorer
Continue Exploring Calanques National Park's Geography and Map Context
Delve deeper into the protected landscape of Calanques National Park. Examine its specific geographic features, mapped boundaries, and its place within the regional context of Bouches-du-Rhône. This atlas exploration aims to provide a structured understanding of this significant national park and its unique Mediterranean environment, facilitating broader discovery of protected areas.
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