Perhaps Cap Croisette’s story began long before the first stone was laid in Marseille. Cap Croisette marks the start of the Calanques National Park. It is located at Marseille’s southern edge. Here, the natural massif of Marseilleveyre rises. It reaches a height of 430 meters.
Cap Croisette gets its name from small crosses. These “crousettes” were placed on the rocky point. Fishermen used them to protect their boats. They also hoped to protect their crews and fishing.
Some believe Cap Croisette is where Marseille was founded. This is according to Isaac Vossius, a 17th-century scholar. He studied Pomponius Mela, an ancient Roman geographer. Evidence shows people have lived here since prehistoric times. Traces of early humans were found in nearby caves. They are located above Les Goudes and Callelongue.
The crosses at Cap Croisette honored shipwreck victims. The concrete cross at the Passage des Croisettes is a memorial. It remembers the 1903 shipwreck of the Liban. This tragedy resulted in about 100 deaths.
Cap Croisette is sometimes called the Bay of Monkeys. One explanation involves the shape of Maïre Island. From the bay, it looks like a monkey’s head. Another says it was a smuggling spot. Locals were to act like the three wise monkeys. They saw nothing, heard nothing, and said nothing.
The Passage des Croisettes separates Cap Croisette from Maïre Island. It is only 70 meters wide at its narrowest point. The current here is strong due to the narrow passage. The ruins of a customs building stand on the island. They once monitored this maritime corridor.
Underwater cliffs surround the area. Maïre Island features beautiful coral reefs. You can still see archaeological remains near Cap Croisette. A telemetric device once lit up the sea from Maïre Island. Blockhouses dot the rocky coastline. You can also find traces of the old telescaphe. This was a kind of underwater cable car from the 1960s. It ran from Les Goudes to Callelongue.
Today, Cap Croisette is a haven for divers and walkers. It is also popular with locals. A diving club and a restaurant sit facing Maïre Island. Diving here reveals local fauna and flora. You can also explore the wreck of the Liban. The ship sank in 1903. It lies behind Maïre Island at 30 meters deep. Maïre Island inspired the painter Vincent Bioulès. He saw it as a world of Greek myths. He described it as grand, fascinating, and dangerous.
The road to Cap Croisette is closed to vehicles. You can access the area on foot or by boat. When visiting, be cautious while swimming from the rocks. Swimming in the Passage des Croisettes is not recommended. Strong currents make it dangerous. Access to Maïre Island is strictly prohibited.
Cap Croisette stands as a testament to time. It is a place where land and sea converge. Its story is etched in every wave and stone.