Col de la Gineste: Driving the D559 Coast Road From Marseille to Cassis
Col de la Gineste is a mountain pass at an elevation of 326 m (1069ft) above sea level, located in the department of Bouches-du-Rhône, in France.
| Road facts: Col de la Gineste | |
|---|---|
| Location | Bouches-du-Rhône, Southern France |
| Route | Marseille to Cassis (D559) |
| Length | 19 km (11.8 miles) |
| Max Gradient | 7% |
| Surface | Paved / Asphalt with underlying root damage |
Where is Col de la Gineste?
The pass is situated east of Marseille in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, in the southern part of the country, within the Parc national des Calanques. The summit offers a breathtaking view of Marseille and its bay.
Is Col de la Gineste paved?
The road through the pass is totally paved, yet curvy, with a few hairpin turns, and steep sections, hitting a 7% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. It’s called D559. The road surface is in excellent condition on the descent, making the curves enjoyable to drive as long as you watch for traffic. However, the shoulder only exists right at the pass itself; the access road is much narrower, littered with debris, and the verges are treacherous. It is often safer to stay on the main road than to edge onto the shoulder. Furthermore, right after the pass, you have to look out for thick tree roots growing right under the tarmac, which create dangerous bumps.
How long is the road through Col de la Gineste?
The road is 19km long, running west-east, from Marseille to Cassis. While the scenery is pleasant, the road is very busy, especially with motorcyclists who drive like they are on a racetrack. It is not uncommon to see bikes speeding at 120 km/h and other reckless drivers encroaching on your lane when they are going uphill. To avoid the heavy morning traffic and the rush hour chaos, it is highly recommended to start the climb before 9:00 AM.
Is the road through Col de la Gineste open?
Set high in the Parc national des Calanques, the road is open year-round.
How does the mistral wind affect the drive at Col de la Gineste?
Although the pass is fast and not very difficult technically, the weather can complicate things. On days when the strong mistral wind blows through the park, the ascent and descent become tricky due to heavy headwinds and sudden, violent gusts that can catch your vehicle off guard.
Are the parking lots at the top of Col de la Gineste safe?
At the col, there are parking areas under the pine trees on both the right and the left sides of the road. You must be extremely careful and never leave any bags, luggage, or objects in sight inside the car. Thieves regularly break into vehicles to steal whatever they can find, and local police confirm that window smash-and-grabs happen here all the time.