Why have your maternity session at Les Goudes (and in the Marseille calanques)

When a mom-to-be tells me "I'd love the sea, but I don't want to walk for an hour," I immediately think of Les Goudes. It's the Marseille I love: a little harbor, fishermen's cabins, white rock plunging into very clear water, and the sun setting over the sea. Here's why it's an ideal place for a maternity session, and how I organize it so you keep a beautiful memory, without getting tired.

Les Goudes, a fishing village at the end of Marseille

Les Goudes is an old fishing village at the very south of Marseille, past Pointe-Rouge and Montredon, where the coast road almost comes to an end. You're still in Marseille, about half an hour from the center depending on traffic, and yet it feels like the end of the world. Right behind it, the calanques and the National Park begin.

For a maternity session, that's a real advantage: you get the calanques scenery, but you can park nearby and reach the water's edge in a few minutes.

White rock and turquoise sea

What makes the photos so luminous here is the very pale limestone. It works like a big natural reflector: light bounces back onto your face and bump, skin looks soft, shadows are light. Opposite, the sea turns turquoise, even in winter.

Light outfits blend into this landscape: a white, cream or sand dress, and the image becomes very soft. A bolder color (blue, red, dusty pink) stands out against the rock instead. Both are beautiful, it's a matter of taste.

The evening light: the real reason

At Les Goudes, the coast faces the open sea: late in the day, the sun goes down over the water. The light turns golden and low, then the sky often turns pink and orange just after sunset. These are often couples' favorite images.

So I set the meeting time about an hour before sunset. In winter, that means mid-afternoon; in summer, early evening, when the heat eases. I check the exact time for your date and tell you when we book the session.

Spots with little walking

Some calanques require a real hike down rocky trails. In your eighth month, that's not the idea. Around the village of Les Goudes, I know several spots you can reach in a few minutes on an easy path: a small beach, flat rocks to sit on, a trail with the sea below.

• I choose a spot with little walking and somewhere for you to sit
• I check parking, often harder on summer weekends
• In summer, I check whether access to the hills is restricted because of fire risk
• I watch the weather and the wind: with a strong mistral, we reschedule or change spots

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What to wear at Les Goudes

• A long, flowing dress: with a little wind, the fabric moves and brings lots of movement to the photos.
• Flat shoes to walk to the spot. You take them off for the photos.
• A soft coat or a chunky sweater in winter: it's cooler by the water, and knitwear over a dress looks lovely.
• For the dad-to-be: light or neutral tones, white, beige, light blue, that go with your outfit.

If you're not sure what to wear, you can borrow a dress from my wardrobe, and I share all my ideas in the article on what to wear for a maternity session.

Which month, and which season

The most comfortable time is usually between 30 and 34 weeks: the bump is nicely round and you can still move easily. I explain it in detail in this article on the right timing.

As for seasons, Les Goudes is beautiful all year round. Spring and autumn are very mild. Winter brings spectacular skies and far fewer people. In summer it's hot and the village is very busy: we then aim for the very end of the day.

How the session goes

We meet on site, walk calmly to the first spot, and start with a few simple images to put you at ease. I guide you all along: where to look, where to put your hands, when to move closer. No complicated poses, lots of cuddles, often laughter. Then we follow the light until sunset.

The maternity session is €230, with 15 edited photos. All the details are on the maternity session page. And if Les Goudes doesn't speak to you, I share other location ideas in the article sea, hills or at home. And for what comes next, think about the at-home baby session: the maternity then baby package is on the prices and booking page.

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