Plage du Mont Rose

Plage du Mont Rose is Marseille's recognised gay and naturist beach, tucked below the coast road at the southern end of the city near Montredon and La Madrague de Montredon. It is a rocky shoreline of flat sunbathing slabs and small inlets rather than a sandy resort beach — reach it by parking near Boulevard Mont Rose and walking over the low headland to the water. One of the oldest gay beaches in southern France, it draws a mixed gay and naturist crowd through the warm months; naturism is tolerated on the rocks and in the coves, and the hillside and old blockhaus above the beach are a long-standing daytime cruising area. There are no facilities, so bring water and shade. It sits inside the protected Calanques coastline, so respect the site and take everything out with you.