Route des Cretes
Route des Cretes
4.8
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Route des Cretes and nearby attractions
Are you currently on your trip?
Help us find experiences available for you.
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
312 within 3 miles
Attractions
64 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.8
792 reviews
Excellent
673
Very good
107
Average
7
Poor
1
Terrible
4
Foodange
Manchester, UK4,933 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
Fab, windy road from La Ciotat to Cassis.
Not for the faint hearted, especially as there are loads of RVs going far too fast round the narrow bends.
Great views, even better as you climb. Looking out over Cassis and to Les Calanques in the distance was breathtaking.
Good stopping places, almost full in early June midweek so must be packed in high season.
Highly recommended.
Not for the faint hearted, especially as there are loads of RVs going far too fast round the narrow bends.
Great views, even better as you climb. Looking out over Cassis and to Les Calanques in the distance was breathtaking.
Good stopping places, almost full in early June midweek so must be packed in high season.
Highly recommended.
Written June 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
H D
Sint-Niklaas, Belgium290 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
Very nice scenic route to drive by car, bike or motorbike. Drive it in the low season and not with a motorhome or caravan, it will prove to narrow at some points. When you walk to the light house (la phare), know that it is a closed off military domain, so besides a nice view on La Ciotat there is nothing at that end.
My advice is to stop along some of the many little roadside parkings, they offer great views and steep cliffs. Keep a firm eye on kids and pets, 300+ meters are a long way down. On the eastern end of the route a large parking offer great views on the bay of Cassis.
Beware: with strong winds or risk of wild fires, the route gets closed off
My advice is to stop along some of the many little roadside parkings, they offer great views and steep cliffs. Keep a firm eye on kids and pets, 300+ meters are a long way down. On the eastern end of the route a large parking offer great views on the bay of Cassis.
Beware: with strong winds or risk of wild fires, the route gets closed off
Written April 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mingfatsai
Grand Island, NE4,760 contributions
Sep 2021
Talk about spectacular views! The route takes maybe an hour and a half to drive if you also walk to the numerous viewpoints and take pictures. Beware driver, the road is narrow and there is a lot of exposure on differing sides. If you have a fear of heights, you may find some parts to be quite unnerving (especially when someone decides to drive down the middle of the road and you are along the edge. This comment is for the extremely inconsiderate person who was driving the deux chevaux down the middle...shame on you!). But the views are exceptional and it’s an incredibly scenic and worthwhile drive.
Written October 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caroline1154
Israel77 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
The Route des Cretes is an absolutely stunning drive around the Gorge du Verdon with spectacular views and vultures flying BELOW you - just to give you an idea of high how you are. If you have strong nerves and stomach and don't think about plunging to your death all the way round you will really enjoy it. I found it absolutely terrifying and just wanted it to end. The road is narrow and windy. In some places it has low walls or barriers and in others nothing at all between you and the chasm. Some of the route is 2-way traffic and the sheer drops are hundreds of metres deep. My husband really enjoyed it so it's very personal. You decide!
If it's important to you to know the stories of the various observation points do your research in advance. The tourist office in La Palud sur Verdon only had info in French.
If it's important to you to know the stories of the various observation points do your research in advance. The tourist office in La Palud sur Verdon only had info in French.
Written October 31, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
srnwood
Salem, OR373 contributions
Sep 2022
Be sure to take your time. Take a picnic! Take a jacket, and take care clambering around the edges, by car or by foot. We also suggest you drive the entire distance between La Ciotat and Cassis. It is worth it.
Written September 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bob_the_cat13
Cairns, Australia292 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
Did this drive today from Cassis to La Ciotat. Even on an overcast and drizzly day the views were spectacular, but they would obviously be magical. I have driven some difficult roads in the past, the Gillies Range in Australia, the haas pass in New Zealand and most recently drove to Kotor in Montenegro. In comparison, this road is relatively straight forward. Sure there are some bends and tight hairpin turns and perhaps in summer when there is a higher volume of traffic it could be more troublesome, but we found the drive pretty straight forward. I would absolutely recommend this drive.
Written May 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Schlauberger1846
Castroville, TX358 contributions
Sep 2019
If you visit Cassis on the coast of Provence, you must take the Route des Cretes road above Cassis. You slowly climb over a thousand feet and have fantastic view of the Mediterranean. The drive takes about 30-40 minutes, and you can park and get out at several places along the way. Be sure and stop just above Cassis and walk out to the edge of the vertical cliffs for a breathtaking view of Cassis. Eventually, you descend to the town of Ciotat.
Written August 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
5220Cedar
Begnins, Switzerland5 contributions
Apr 2017 • Friends
This is a setting of stunning natural beauty however thieves continue to operate in the parking areas. Our car was parked close to the road and within the 15 minutes we were admiring the view, thieves had smashed a window and taken our belongings. If the police are unwilling or unable to operate surveillance cameras or patrol the area in person, signs should be posted warning visitors not to leave anything in the car. I am posting this review to hopefully save future visitors the aggravation and stress this event has caused us. What started as a lovely day out turned into a shocking and expensive lesson. I cannot understand why the mayor and gendarmes aren't doing more to protect locals and visitors from these thugs!
Written April 23, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve Y
Beuningen, The Netherlands40 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
If you are comfortable driving on winding roads , some on cliff edges and not very wide, this is a must do. The views are excellent and more that worth the effort. We did the drive in both directions several times over a few days, always seeing something new. Once we encountered a coach coming the other way just before a hairpin bend, which was a bit tense, but otherwise, as long as you drive carefully it is quite easy. You can also walk from Cassis to La Ciotat, which basically follows the route, but off road. This is quite a serious walk, steep and rocky, but very rewarding. We did it in stages as it can take very many hours despite only being some 11 kilometers, Each time setiing off from a different viewing area, and returning to the car again.The walk is not for children or inexperienced walkers and strong walking boots are essential. For drivers there are several panorama points with parking.
Written September 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dgjohansson
Ronneby, Sweden1,642 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
It is a nice road to take as a detour in the area. Depending on what you are looking for, the starting point and time of day might be of interest. I drove it from Cassis to La Ciotat in the afternoon. The good thing about this is that you'll have the sun in your back while driving and the cliffs will be lit up, the downside will be that views directly towards the eastern bays and islands might be against the sun. I wouldn't any way recommend going the other way in the afternoon since you will have the sun towards you even when driving. If you go in the morning, you should start in La Ciotat, but from what I saw, the lighting of the cliffs and nature will not be as good as in the afternoon. There might be good sunsets in the evening, but I still recommend going from Cassis anyway and stop at the parking areas. There is one bigger parking spot in the Cassis end of the road. There are other smaller, roadside stops big enough for 1-3 cars here and there, but only one major parking spot with information boards and room for plenty of cars. If you drive point to point it will take you 30 min, but most likely you will stop at least at one point, so set aside at least 1h. No fences at the cliffs btw so walk carefully. It's a long way down!
Written July 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi,
Can we take this drive on the way from Cassis to Toulon port? If so, how much time will it add? Is it open in the summer? Is there a lot of traffic in the summer?
Thanks!
Written July 7, 2019
Yes, you can. We drove it from Cassis to Plage Estagnol, 35 km past Toulon, stopping all along the way to look at the views. In June, 2018, the Route des Cretes itself was extremely quiet. it took us one hour and 20 minutes with lots of stopping. The whole trip from Cassis to Plage Estagnol took us 3 hours and 30 minutes with lots of sight seeing stops, so I am guessing that Cassis to Toulon is about 2 hours then if you stop for the views.
Written July 15, 2019
Hola. Los miradores están señalizados?
Alguien sabe algún camping o zona de aparcamiento para dormir cerca? Gracias
Written June 20, 2019
Hallo Jesús,
die Aussichtspunkte sind markiert und nicht zu übersehen, da meist auch ein Parkplatz zur Verfügung steht.
Über die Campingplatzsituation wiess ich leider nicht Bescheid.
Viele Grüße und viel Spaß
Anita
Written June 25, 2019
Cela fait 2 jours que nous essayons de prendre la route des crêtes mais elle est fermée, avez vous plus d'informations ??
Written April 21, 2019
Je confirme les réponses qui vous ont été données, trop dangereux, risque de chute pour les visiteurs, cette route est systématiquement fermée quand le vent est fort
Written April 22, 2019
Est ce vraiment dangereux..... D 'y aller seule comme j ai pu le lire dans un com
Written February 11, 2019
Bonjour! Je dirais tout simplement que tout endroit isolé est dangereux pour une femme seule. Et il faut être prudente doublement. Mais à la base, nous sommes malgré tout en France et la sécurité existe, y compris dans cette région. Lors de mon passage là-bas en septembre 2018, mon épouse et moi, nous y avons rencontré une jeune fille marchant seule. Elle était partie de Marseille et rejoignait La Ciotat d'où elle allait reprendre un bus pour rentrer. Il ne faut pas rester dans les endroits isolés et marcher près de la route, si possible.
Written February 11, 2019
Peut-on dormir une nuit avec un fourgon aménagé ? Y a t il une réglementation spéciale ?
Written March 27, 2018
A Tripadvisor member
La Penne-sur-Huveaune, France
Normalement oui. Par contre interdit de dormir à la belle étoile
Written May 20, 2018
Can you drive a campervan/rv on this road?
Written April 6, 2017
Hi, it can be done, but I would not do it. The road is quite narrow and drivers must pay attention to traffic coming from the opposite direction. It won't be as relaxing as driving a small car, although even that requires focus and attention to the winding roads.
Written September 9, 2017
On a passer nos vacances à la ciotat l année dernière c est l office du tourisme qui nous tenez informé de l ouverture ou non de la route des crêtes
Written August 29, 2016
Showing results 1-10 of 13
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing