Organising a corporate event facing the Calanques
Every seminar participant dreams of the Calanques. But you cannot organise an event there as you would anywhere else: the massif is a national park, with its own rules. The answer is usually to settle in Cassis or on the heights, facing the Calanques, rather than inside them.
Around 30 minutes from Marseille by road
In brief
For a corporate event facing the Calanques, you usually choose a venue in Cassis, on the Route des Crêtes, or a boat leaving from Cassis harbour, around thirty minutes from Marseille. The core of the Calanques National Park, created in 2012, imposes strict rules (permits, restricted access to the massifs in summer, noise, drones). ADJM Événementiel organises these events with those constraints in mind.
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A natural backdrop
White cliffs, turquoise water and Cap Canaille: images your teams will not forget.
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Close to Marseille
Cassis is around thirty minutes from the centre of Marseille.
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Land or sea
A reception venue in Cassis, or a boat leaving from the harbour to sail along the Calanques.
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Rules we know
We build the National Park’s constraints into the programme from the very start.
The venue at a glance
- Area
- Calanques National Park, between Marseille, Cassis and La Ciotat
- Accessible venues
- Cassis harbour and village, the Route des Crêtes towards La Ciotat, boat trips
- Regulations
- Events in the core of the park require a permit; access to the massifs is restricted in summer depending on the fire risk
- Drones
- Flying over the core of the park is tightly controlled: prior authorisation is essential
- Good to know
- Cassis produces a white wine with a protected designation of origin, an idea for an activity
Can you hold an event in the Calanques?
The Calanques massif is protected by the Calanques National Park, created in 2012. In the core of the park, a group event (gathering, installation, amplified music) requires a permit and is often discouraged: the park protects fragile wildlife, plants and tranquillity. From June to September, access to the massifs is also regulated day by day according to the fire risk, and can be banned the evening before for the following day.
In practice, a seminar “in the Calanques” is almost always built facing the Calanques: in a reception venue in Cassis, up on the heights, or on board a boat.
Where to hold an event facing the Calanques?
| Option | Strengths | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Reception venue in Cassis | Restaurants, wine estates, views of the harbour and Cap Canaille | Parking is difficult in high season |
| Route des Crêtes | Spectacular viewpoints between Cassis and La Ciotat | Road closed in strong wind or when the fire risk is high |
| Boat from Cassis | See the Calanques from the sea, without walking | Depends on the weather and the mistral |
| Guided hike | Team building in the heart of the landscape | Access to the massifs restricted in summer, small groups |
What rules apply around the Calanques?
- Check access to the massifs the day before the event in summer, on the Bouches-du-Rhône prefecture website or the dedicated app.
- Plan no fire or naked flame in natural areas: forget barbecues and fire performers outdoors.
- Ask for a permit for any professional filming or photography, or any drone, in the core of the park.
- Keep amplified music to reception venues: in natural areas, it is out of the question.
- Plan transport ahead: Cassis is saturated in summer, and a coach or shuttle saves hours of hunting for a parking space.
How we organise an event in Cassis
We check the permits you need beforehand (the €50 booking fee covers insurance and permit applications), then take care of everything that happens in the chosen venue: a saxophonist at sunset, a photographer who knows the viewpoints, a cocktail bar and coordination of transport. For options in the town itself, see our page on events in Cassis.
Prices: calanques and cassis
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Full-day photo coverage
from €890
8 hours on site, all photos selected and colour-matched.
By AlloPhotoMarseille
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Live saxophonist, 2 hours
from €300
Sets at the key moments (cocktails, entrance, opening of the party), alongside the DJ.
By AlloDJMarseille
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Booking fee
€50
Insurance and permit applications, once per event.
Related services
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Service
Photographer and videographer
Photo coverage, corporate portraits, film and drone: images of your event, delivered fast.
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Service
On-the-day coordination
An on-site coordinator to run the schedule and manage suppliers while you enjoy the event.
Discover → -
Service
Cocktail bar and bartenders
A cocktail menu in your colours, served by professional bartenders, from €450.
Discover →
For which events
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Event
Corporate seminar
Plenary, workshops, team building and drinks: a working day that keeps its pace.
Discover → -
Event
Team building
Escape game, company olympics, quiz or cocktail workshop: an activity chosen for your real team.
Discover → -
Event
Incentive
The sea, the Calanques and Provence estates: a programme that truly rewards your teams.
Discover →
Entertainment to add
Where to hold it
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Location
Cassis
Harbour, Calanques and vineyards: an intimate setting for incentives and board meetings.
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Location
La Ciotat
Bay, harbour, industrial heritage and cinema: character and space 40 minutes from Marseille.
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Location
Bay of Marseille by boat
From the Old Port to the Frioul islands, a dinner at sea for 35 to 250 people depending on the boat.
Discover →
Our advice to go further
Your questions
Do you need a permit for an event in the Calanques?
Yes. In the core of the Calanques National Park, a group event, professional filming or photography, or a drone all require a permit. Most events therefore take place in a reception venue in Cassis or on board a boat.
Can a group access the Calanques in summer?
From June to September, access to the massifs is regulated day by day according to the fire risk, and may be banned. Check the day before and always plan a fallback activity.
How can you see the Calanques without hiking?
By boat from Cassis or Marseille harbour, or from the Route des Crêtes between Cassis and La Ciotat. It is the simplest option for a group.
How far is Cassis from Marseille?
Cassis is around thirty minutes by road from the centre of Marseille, longer in summer. A chartered coach avoids the parking problems in the village.
Let’s talk about your next event
Seminar, party, gala, launch: tell us about your project. A single point of contact replies within 48 hours with a priced proposal, with no obligation.