The Vaufrèges district

Located in Marseille’s 9th arrondissement, the Vaufrèges district is home to a vast area of the Calanques National Park, with landscapes comprising passes, hills, breathtaking cliffs and secret coves. The D559 departmental road over the Col de la Gineste provides access to Cassis and the touristy calanques of L’Oule,En-Vau and Port Pin. The area is sparsely populated, with a handful of detached houses at the start of the Route de la Gineste.

The history of the Vaufrèges district

The name “Vaufrèges” comes from the Provençal “vau” meaning “valley” and “Frégis” meaning “cold”, and refers to the cooler temperatures here than in the heart of Marseille. This district has been preserved from urbanisation thanks to its complex geography and topography: the steep hills and outlying nature of Vaufrèges do not lend themselves to the construction of vast residential complexes.

A lime and cement production site contributed to the development of the district in the late 19th and 20th centuries. Limestone, the main ingredient in this industry, is abundant in the massif.

The chemin vicinal de la Gineste was transformed into a carriage road linking Marseille to Cassis in the first half of the 20th century, and became part of the route nationale 559 in 1933 (now the route départementale D559).

The Vaufrèges district has escaped excessive urbanisation, and the few dwellings are concentrated to the north-west, at the start of the Route de la Gineste. A stopover on the Calanques trail and the road to Cassis, Vaufrèges is making the most of its natural heritage to find its place in the 21st century.

A district in the heart of nature

Vaufrèges is home to some of the most beautiful walks in the Calanques.

The En-Vau cove, with its crystal-clear waters and small beach nestling at the foot of impressive cliffs, invites you to relax after a strenuous hike. Numerous footpaths provide access to secret, less-frequented coves.Rock-climbing in the Calanques attracts climbers from all over the world, and the Castelvieil plateau promises exhilarating sensations for those who love the vertical.

The calanque of Port Pin, shared by Marseille and Cassis, is another must for lovers of swimming and wide open spaces. You can bask in the sumptuous scenery, or explore the surrounding area by following the signposted paths.

Scubadiving and snorkelling are practised in the Calanques National Park, in compliance with regulations and archaeological protection zones. The seabed is home to some exceptional flora and fauna.

The Col de la Gineste road is also popular with cyclists, who appreciate the route, the gradients and the scenery. The wide, hard shoulders make cycling safer. The Tour de France has helped to make this route popular with cycling fans.

Every year in October, the Marseille – Cassis race challenges tens of thousands of riders to reach Cassis from the Orange Vélodrome stadium, via the Col de la Gineste. For many of the participants, Vaufrèges marks the start of the difficulties, with a steep gradient.

From Vaufrèges, you can easily reach the port of Cassis, on the other side of the Col de la Gineste. Numerous restaurants welcome you for lunch or dinner on the terraces along the harbour or on the beach. Wine tourism enthusiasts can visit the AOC Cassis wine estates and sample (in moderation) the red, white and rosé wines produced locally.

The Vaufrèges district by public transport

Although Vaufrèges is an out-of-the-way district, it is nonetheless accessible by public transport.

You can reach Vaufrèges by bus, stopping at the Luminy Lachamp stop at the beginning of the Col de la Gineste road. Bus routes B1, 21JET and 24 serve this stop during the day. In the evening, route 521 serves Vaufrèges from the Luminy Lachamp stop.

There are also metroconnections:

B1 line to Castellane station (metro lines M1 and M2)
Line 21JET serves Rond Point du Prado station (metro line M2).

You can also reach Vaufrèges by car, from Cassis by taking the D559 departmental road (route du col de la Gineste), or from the centre of Marseille in the direction of Luminy.