Plage de l’Arène
Pebble beach beneath Cap Canaille in Cassis, naturism tolerated, tricky access, calanque views, calm and quiet atmosphere.
- Naturism tolerated
- Calanque views
- Tricky access
- Pebble beach
- Quiet, low footfall
- Address
- 13260 Cassis, Bouches-du-Rhône
A discreet cove beneath Cap Canaille
Plage de l'Arène, or anse de l'Arène, sits at the foot of Cap Canaille, in the town of Cassis. A pebble beach, it offers an open view over the calanques and the eastern stretch of coastline, with a bit of shade here and there.
An access route that puts people off
From the centre of Cassis, head towards Cap Canaille, pass the stadium for about 300 metres, then take a dead end on the right after a vineyard. The road calls for caution if you're driving, and you then have to walk down to a tiny car park at the bottom of the stairs, which used to charge for access. That walk over pebbly ground is enough to put off quite a few visitors.
Naturism tolerated, not official
Naturism isn't officially organised here, but it is well practised, especially on the left side at the foot of Cap Canaille. Numbers stay low, which suits the few naturists after a wild, peaceful setting.
What visitors say
Reviews highlight the site's raw charm and the view over the calanques, while confirming that the tricky access keeps the crowds away, a point that pleases those after calm rather than commotion.
Source: OpenStreetMap and its contributors (ODbL licence). See on OpenStreetMap.