The Escalette factory and the old battery

de fr

An easy walk but unshaded, on stony paths.
Originally a lead processing plant in 1851, closed in 1925, L’Escalette became, during the Second World War, along with the L’Escalette fort, a gun battery for the Italian and later German armies.
A lover of Marseille, gallery owner Eric Touchaleaume purchased the Friche de l’Escalette in 2011 to create a park featuring sculptures and light architecture.
Beautiful view of Marseille harbour
You are in the Calanques National Park, which is subject to specific regulations. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in a fine of up to €1,500.

Details

n°966326
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.29 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 0h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 98 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 98 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 110 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 8 m
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Photos

WEST viewpoint
Southern viewpoint
Escalette Fort
Escalette Fort

Description of the walk

Park on the Chemin des Goudes, on the sea side when coming from Marseille, at the “Calanque Blanche” bus stop.

(S/E) Head north (back towards Marseille) towards the Calanque de l’Escalette (small harbour and restaurant). After about 150m, cross the road and turn right onto the path, the entrance to which is blocked by a DFCI barrier. After a few hundred metres, the Escalette factory appears on the left.

At the first sharp bend to the right, note the view of the slag from the factory’s operations. Continue along the gently sloping path which, after a second hairpin bend (to the left), leads to the old Escalette Battery (World War II). The path curves sharply to the right and then, after a very tight bend to the left, leads to the upper part of the fortifications.

(1) After the battery’s final ridge structure, take the path of large stones on the right and walk along the hillside. Descend and note the fine view towards Cap Croisette on the left. Below, to the right and towards the harbour of Marseille, there are two large blockhouses now owned by private individuals.

(2) At the first junction, turn right and continue along the stony path to a clear, flat area with a few trees.

(3) At the fork, take the wide dirt track to the right. At the first junction, turn right again. After a hairpin bend to the left, stay on the main path and ignore the turn-offs to the right. This will take you back to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 12 m - Calanque Blanche
  2. 1 : km 1.06 - alt. 86 m - Massive ridge structure
  3. 2 : km 1.22 - alt. 110 m - Junction
  4. 3 : km 1.56 - alt. 56 m - Fourche
  5. S/E : km 2.29 - alt. 12 m - Calanque Blanche

Notes

Access by bus is possible. Head towards "Les Goudes", get off at the "Calanque Blanche" stop – ask the driver.

Hiking boots are recommended as a precaution, as the roads and paths are covered in large stones.
In mistral conditions, be aware of strong winds on the peaks

No water sources. No significant shade except at the fort and in the Vallon de l’Agneau (3).

Do not stray from the marked paths and, in particular, do not venture into the Escalette factory.

Worth a visit

L'Escalette factory:
Pillars, retaining walls, sloping chimneys, washing and settling basins are reminders of the Escalette’s former activity. This lead factory was used to process the toxic material. To avoid polluting the town whilst remaining accessible, the soda (for making Marseille soap) and lead factories were set up in the Callelongue creeks (or at La Redonne) and operated until the end of the 19th century. A small port had been built nearby to bring in the ore by barges and flatboats. The refinery closed in 1925.

Apart from the heaps of slag littering the back of the cove, the activities of the former lead factory have had a significant impact on the environment, to such an extent that the rocks to the left of the cove are off-limits to walkers, bathers and fishermen: significant quantities of lead and arsenic have been found there in the form of inhalable dust and sediments in the soil…

The Escalette site was only opened to the public from 1947 onwards.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.7 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
petit2pierrevert
petit2pierrevert

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A short but very pleasant walk with some lovely views... and a little slide down on your bum!!! The start of the walk, surrounded by spring flowers, is magnificent.

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juliemolto
juliemolto
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Just a quick note: it’s an easy hike, BUT there’s one spot worth mentioning as ‘difficult’ because you’ll need to climb down some rocks – ‘rock-climbing’ style, if you will – which might prove tricky for young children and perhaps some dogs.
The first time, I went there alone with my dog and wondered if I was on the right path... luckily, I’m young and fit and my dog is agile!
The second time, I came across a mum on her own with her two very young children and an elderly dog; if my partner and I hadn’t been there to help them, she would have turned back.
But overall, the walk is very pleasant and indeed easy for the rest of the route. The view is breathtaking!

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fbessou
fbessou

thank you

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lecac16
lecac16

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short outing with some lovely views when you don't have much time to spare.

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mnb13
mnb13

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 30, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A lovely walk.
Between 1 and 2, the description is inadequate. Lots of small paths branching off. Difficult to follow the route on the map.
And unfortunately, it’s impossible to follow the route shown on the map at the big left-hand bend just after marker 2 unless you’re willing to do some climbing... so the hike isn’t ‘easy’ at all, contrary to what’s stated.
Had to turn back... A shame, as the view is lovely!

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fbessou
fbessou

It’s true that in summer or when the weather’s nice, the Route des Goudes can sometimes be a nightmare.

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ojeannot
ojeannot

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The scenery is magnificent, and the walk is very pleasant.

The difficulty arose afterwards (1): the directions aren’t very clear and we clearly didn’t follow the hiking route, though we didn’t get lost.

One major downside, however: the road to get there – three quarters of an hour each way from Pointe Rouge and an hour and a half on the return journey to get back to Pointe Rouge.

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fbessou
fbessou

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Danielle G1.
Danielle G1.
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 24, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

tar:

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