Défi de Monte-Cristo 3ª ed — La Ciotat

The Défi de Monte-Cristo in La Ciotat invites swimmers to test their endurance in the Mediterranean, with the third edition scheduled for September 11, 2026. Participants can choose between racing with or without a wetsuit, as the event maintains separate rankings for both categories. Every entry includes a timing chip, an event t-shirt, and a swimming cap to ensure standardized identification during the race.

Historical currents and landmarks

Navigating this bay means crossing waters steeped in local resilience. History records that La Ciotat remained untouched by the 1720 plague that devastated the rest of Provence, an achievement credited to the town’s decision to seal its gates against outsiders; a painting by Michel Serre inside the Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption church serves as a direct witness to that era. Beyond the harbor, the seascape is dominated by the Falaises Soubeyranes, which reach 394 meters, marking them as the highest sea cliffs in France. Swimmers often use the prominent Bec de l'Aigle summit as a primary orientation point as they move through the bay.

A legacy of underwater exploration

This stretch of coastline holds deep significance for competitive swimming and nautical sports. La Ciotat is the birthplace of Jean Boiteux, the first Frenchman to secure an Olympic gold medal in a 50m pool during the 1952 Helsinki Games. His family legacy is intertwined with these waters, as his mother, Bibienne Pellegry, also competed at the Olympic level. The maritime character of the area is further solidified by the presence of the Groupement de Pêche et d’Etudes sous-marines, the oldest continuously operating scuba diving club in France. While the bay appears tranquil today, it was the site of a 1944 naval engagement during Operation Dragoon, where Allied forces sank two German vessels in a strategic feint. Those who enjoy this coastal challenge often explore other regional circuits, such as the event found at Open Swim Stars Cassis, which takes place just months earlier, or the technical routes offered at the MC Swim Challenge.