Sormiou Calanque: French immersion in Provence and an unforgettable day with friends

The Calanque de Sormiou, one of the most beautiful coves in Marseille

During our holidays, we had the chance to meet Sidonie and Nicolas, a couple from Marseille, and their little daughter Charlotte. We got along immediately and decided to meet again in Provence. This weekend, we chose to spend the day together in a magical place: the Calanque de Sormiou in Marseille.

It was our very first time there, and I can tell you this calanque is absolutely breathtaking. Between swimming, a convivial lunch, and scenic walks, the day will remain unforgettable. And of course, it gave me new inspiration for my French immersion in Provence programs: taking my students to such a unique spot would be both a cultural and linguistic adventure.

🏝️ Calanque de Sormiou: a gem among the Calanques of Marseille

The Calanque de Sormiou is part of the Calanques National Park. Along with Morgiou and En-Vau, it’s one of the most famous – and also one of the most accessible… or almost!

Stunning view of the Calanque d’En-Vau, one of the most beautiful calanques of Marseille alongside Sormiou

👉 Car access is restricted 🚗: it’s forbidden between 7am and 7pm without special authorization. Otherwise, you must hike for about 50 minutes (from September 30th, in low season). Thanks to our Marseille friends, we were able to drive directly, which made the experience even more pleasant.

💡 Practical tip: if you go without authorization, plan on sturdy hiking shoes (👟 like Salomon or Decathlon Quechua) and plenty of water, as both the descent and ascent are demanding.

🏡 The cabanons of Sormiou: a unique Marseille heritage

What makes Sormiou so special are its famous cabanons.

In the 19th century, Marie de Sormiou, heir of the land, built a house called “the château” and allowed the construction of the first cabanons. These small typical Provençal houses were originally used by fishermen. Over time, they were passed down from generation to generation and became summer retreats for Marseille families.

Traditional cabanons of the Calanque de Sormiou, Marseille heritage

👉 The cabanons symbolize the art de vivre in Provence: simplicity, conviviality, sharing a meal or an apéritif facing the Mediterranean Sea.

During a French immersion in Provence, these cabanons are a perfect opportunity to teach my students vocabulary related to heritage, history, and Marseille’s everyday life.

🌊 Swimming and paddleboarding in turquoise waters

As soon as we arrived, we headed to the beach for our first swim. The turquoise water was irresistible!

The kids had so much fun trying paddleboarding 🏄‍♂️ while we enjoyed a relaxing swim.

Children heading down to the turquoise sea of Sormiou for swimming and paddleboarding

C’est exactement ce que j’imagine dans mes séjours linguistiques en Provence : pratiquer du vocabulaire autour des sports nautiques et de la mer tout en vivant l’instant.

👉 If you want to try, think about renting an inflatable paddleboard like the Itiwit model from Decathlon, very practical for this type of outing.

This is exactly the kind of activity I imagine in my French immersion in Provence: learning vocabulary about water sports and the sea, while living the experience in real life.

🍷 A convivial lunch by the sea

Shared meal with friends at the Calanque de Sormiou

After swimming, we prepared a simple but delicious outdoor lunch:

• Veal chops 🥩

• Lamb chops 🍖

• Grilled vegetables 🥦

• And of course… some very good wine! 🍷

  
  

Alex brought a bottle of Château Vignelaure for his 40th birthday, Nicolas shared champagne, and we also enjoyed a chilled rosé. A true Provençal table: simple, convivial, and authentic.

Friendly lunch by the sea at the Calanque de Sormiou

👉 For a French immersion experience, this kind of meal is a gem: culinary vocabulary, authentic conversations, laughter, and shared stories around the table.

🚶 Scenic walk and panoramic views of the Calanque

In the afternoon, we enjoyed a second swim before following the path towards the small port. There we discovered another beach, quieter and even more charming.

Sidonie and the children walking up towards the Sormiou port, enjoying the view and the traditional cabanons

Later, we climbed up a trail to a breathtaking viewpoint over the Calanque de Sormiou: white cliffs, colorful cabanons, turquoise waters… a living postcard.

👉 Once again, good hiking shoes are essential. Models from Merrell or Salomon are particularly adapted to Provence’s rocky trails.

🎓 French immersion and inspiration

This day at Sormiou gave me new ideas for my French immersions in Provence:

• Organizing a hike + swim excursion with my students

• Teaching maritime and Provençal vocabulary in context

• Sharing a typical outdoor meal

• Using the stunning landscapes as inspiration for spontaneous French conversations

Immersion in Provence: panoramic view of the Calanque de Sormiou, with pine trees and turquoise waters

👉 Because a language stay in Provence is not just about a classroom: it’s about a full immersion in culture, nature, and the French way of life.

✨ Conclusion

The Calanque de Sormiou will remain a precious memory, shared with authentic Marseille friends. Between the history of the cabanons, turquoise swims, paddleboarding, a convivial lunch, and a panoramic hike, everything was there.

And for my future students in French immersion in Provence, I already know this will be an unmissable excursion.