Coastal Slow Travel: Marseille to Saint-Tropez
Travel east along the coast without a car, exploring the Calanques, Toulon military port, Porquerolles Island, and Saint-Tropez.
Based on the green coastal route recommended by the regional tourism board, travel east from Marseille using TER trains, regional buses, and ferries. Pass through Cassis, Toulon, Hyères, and the Giens Peninsula, leaving a full day for cycling on Porquerolles Island. It is slower than driving, but avoids summer coastal traffic jams and parking difficulties. Ideal for repeat visitors who love islands, hiking, and a slower pace. Does not include the Nice area.
Forest access from June to September is regulated daily based on fire risks; ferry services are reduced in the off-season.
Day by day
Day 1 · Marseille Old Port and Notre-Dame de la Garde
Marseille & Aix-en-Provence（Old Port of Marseille、Le Panier、Notre-Dame de la Garde）
Take Metro Line 1 to the Old Port, explore the old town on foot, and take Bus 60 up to Notre-Dame de la Garde in the afternoon.
Stay: Vieux-Port Area
Day 2 · Cassis and Calanques Boat Cruise
Marseille & Aix-en-Provence（Cassis、Calanque d'En-Vau）
Take the TER to Cassis (approx. 25 minutes), take the M1 shuttle to the port, and buy boat tickets at the port kiosk to view the fjords.
Land hiking to Calanque d'En-Vau is subject to fire risk regulations; boat trips are preferred in summer.
Stay: Cassis
Day 3 · Toulon Military Port and Mount Faron
Toulon & Hyères（Toulon Old Town & Cours Lafayette Market、Mont Faron & Cable Car、Toulon Harbour Boat Tour）
Take the TER from Cassis to Toulon (approx. 30 minutes), and take a city bus to the cable car station to ascend Mount Faron.
Cable car operating hours vary by season and may close during high winds.
Stay: Toulon Old Town and Port
Day 4 · Hyères Old Town to Giens Peninsula
Toulon & Hyères（Hyères Old Town & Castle、Villa Noailles、Salins des Pesquiers、Giens Peninsula）
Take the TER to Hyères station, transfer to a bus to the town center, and take Bus 67 to the Giens Peninsula in the afternoon, where you can rent electric bikes.
Villa Noailles is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Stay: Giens and Almanarre
Day 5 · A Day of Cycling on Porquerolles Island
Take a ferry from La Tour Fondue pier (approx. 15–20 minutes) to the island, rent a bicycle on the island, and return to Giens in the evening.
The pier parking lot usually fills up around 9:30 AM in summer; depart as early as possible in the morning.
Stay: Giens and Almanarre
Day 6 · Bormes-les-Mimosas to Saint-Tropez
Toulon & Hyères（Bormes-les-Mimosas）
Return to Hyères and take Zou Bus 878, hop off to visit Bormes-les-Mimosas, and continue to Saint-Tropez (approx. 1.5 hours total).
Bus 878 has seasonal schedules; check the official Zou website after seasonal transitions.
Stay: Saint-Tropez
Day 7 · Saint-Tropez to Saint-Raphaël
Toulon & Hyères（Saint-Tropez） → Saint-Raphaël
Explore the old town in the morning, take a boat to Sainte-Maxime (approx. 20 minutes), and take Bus 876 to Saint-Raphaël station.
The boat route from Saint-Tropez to Sainte-Maxime operates mainly during the high season.