Ratonneau Island in the Frioul Archipelago

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The Frioul archipelago and its inhabitants welcome you to this unique site. Take the time to explore it and share these special moments.
The 2.7 km long Ratonneau Island, whose highest point is 75 m (Fort de Ratonneau), will charm you with its many coves and unique views of Marseille.

Details

n°12047
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.14 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 367 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 341 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 243 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 0 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Marseille (13000)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.278904° / E 5.306569°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3145ET
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Photos

Seagulls on Frioul
The Crosses of Fort Ratonneau
Marseille seen from Frioul

Description of the walk

Take the ferry from the old port of Marseille to reach the port of Frioul.

(S/E) Head towards the dyke connecting the two islands.

(1) Follow the path north and then west towards Pointe Brigantin.

(2) On the way back, enjoy the superb view of the Calanque de Morgiret.

(3) Continue along the path on the right towards the Calanque de Saint Esteve.

(4) Then begin the climb up to Fort de Ratonneau, which rises to a height of 75 metres. You will see the concrete crosses that were used as decoys (to make it look like a cemetery) to prevent the bombing of an ammunition depot in the fort.

(5) Reach the Calanque de Morgiret crossroads.

(3) Take the path heading west, then the dyke to reach the port of Frioul (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 0 ft - Port of Frioul
  2. 1 : mi 0.18 - alt. 13 ft - Seawall
  3. 2 : mi 0.74 - alt. 108 ft - Pointe Brigantin
  4. 3 : mi 1.38 - alt. 13 ft - Crossroads
  5. 4 : mi 2.11 - alt. 3 ft - Calanque Saint Esteve
  6. 5 : mi 2.43 - alt. 226 ft - Fort Ratonneau
  7. S/E : mi 3.14 - alt. 3 ft - Port of Frioul

Notes

There are no water sources on the island, so fill your water bottles before setting off.

Worth a visit

The view of Marseille is unbeatable, with the Château d'If and the Bonne Mère in line with the northern districts and the Sainte Baume massif in the background.
The water around the island is great for swimming!

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 26 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
francisga
francisga

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 17, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Even whilst staying on clearly marked paths, we were subjected to noisy, diving attacks by several dozen seagulls. We soon realised that these were males guarding their females whilst they were brooding. The local authorities should warn walkers of these risks and advise them to stay in the middle of the path, particularly at this time of year (mid-April).
Apart from that, a superb walk.

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slcoc
slcoc

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 27, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Any problems, particularly towards the end of the hike.

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michelmarieandree
michelmarieandree

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful and easy hike with stunning views of Marseille and the Château d'If

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Madeleine Lunel
Madeleine Lunel

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very quiet route outside of peak season despite the beautiful weather; however, there are too many small signs warning tourists that they are intruders!

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Haddouche
Haddouche

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike among the gulls and their chicks. Swimming in a cove.

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Brune_75
Brune_75

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy hike, done early one morning in February, with beautiful weather and (almost) no one else on the trails. The winter light in the calanques is truly remarkable.

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philippe theret
philippe theret

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Sometimes you have to guess the route.

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Ma Mie
Ma Mie

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Marseille and its region are as magical as ever. The light in this region is unique and exceptional. Personally, I never tire of it.
We did more than just follow the roads.

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monange
monange

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

An easy walk to discover the island. Visit both islands. Pomègues is wilder.

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BHMAVIGNON54
BHMAVIGNON54

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 22, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very pleasant day. A grandfather and three of his grandchildren aged 10, 8 and 7. They had great fun crossing the sea with a few waves. We arrived at the port of Frioul in beautiful weather. The steps leading down to the seawall and the "Grande Bleue" (the deep blue sea). The first climb to the southern tip of the island with its ruins and remnants of the war, and lots of seagulls and their young (a little aggressive)
We returned via the creeks and climbed up to the castle, which was short and very steep, but what a view! Then we descended to the port for some welcome refreshments. We had a very good lunch in a restaurant overlooking the port. The return trip was lively with a few more waves. Many thanks for the information. BHMARTIN

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christianlafon83
christianlafon83

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 14, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Superb hike to do with Pomégues Island; the two complement each other perfectly

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Bobetnico
Bobetnico

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 19, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

We showed the residents of Vaucluse a beautiful walk. No particular difficulties.

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jlf13
jlf13

This description was not used because it was Heritage Days, and we had a guided tour of the site.

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Lotusse
Lotusse

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 11, 2018
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

I preferred walking around the other part of the island (Pomègues), which seemed wilder to me.

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fbacry
fbacry

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike with superb views of the Château d'If and Marseille harbour. However, the route description could have been more detailed.

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