France limits visitor numbers at two popular beaches near Marseille

Because access to the two bathing bays in the Calanques National Park has been restricted these days.

The Calanques National Park is located between Marseille and the town of Cassis in southern France. This consists of ancient rock formations with steep cliffs and more than 20 small bays, which are very popular with bathers from home and abroad. Most of the bays in the national park are good for swimming, but can usually only be reached by boat or hiking trails. Over the years, however, the sensitive nature in the Calanques National Park has been damaged by the many visitors. The two most well-known bays, the calanques of Sugiton and Pierres Tombées, are now affected by soil erosion. the television channel “France24” with reference to the French news agency AFP.

Only 400 visitors per day are allowed on the Calanques of Sugiton and Pierres Tombées

In order to protect the area and enable its regeneration, access to the calanques of Sugiton and Pierres Tombées was limited to 400 people each for the first time last Sunday (June 26). Numerous visitors had to turn back on the way there that day because they did not have access authorization. Usually around 2500 people visit the bays on nice summer days. The new regulation is to be applied next Sunday (July 3) and then every day from July 10 to August 21, the Calanques National Park said, according to “France24”.

If you want to visit the calanques of Sugiton and Pierres Tombées during this period, you need a valid day pass. This can be booked free of charge via the Calanques National Park website three days in advance for the desired date. Visitors will then receive a QR code. Anyone who does not have a QR code and is caught during a check must expect a fine of the equivalent of 68 euros, reports the comparison portal “Check24”.