ARTESIEN - Marseille & Calanques

Artesien is one of our favourite deep wrecks in the Calanques, a proper diver’s wreck if you’re comfortable at depth. This steamship went down in 1944, a casualty of a torpedo, and now rests upright at 48 metres. Dropping down, you’ll start to make out the sheer size of her, over 100 metres long, with a proud bow and stern that still feel imposing. We love finning along the deck, picking out details like winches and the remains of her superstructure, all wonderfully encrusted with gorgonians and sponges. The cargo holds are open, inviting a peek inside – just remember your torch, it gets dark down there. It’s not just the wreck itself; the resident marine life is fantastic. Conger eels poke their heads from every dark crevice, lobsters wave antennae from beneath plates of steel, and schools of anchovies often swirl above the mast. It’s a dive that combines history with serious atmosphere, best appreciated on a calm day when the visibility really opens up. Go early to avoid other boats.

Location
Marseille & Calanques, France, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
43.070420, 5.956522
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
48m

Wreck History - ARTESIEN

Year Sunk
1944
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
torpedo

The steamship Artésien was a vessel of the interwar years, built in 1921 by J. Redhead & Sons for the French shipping company Cie. des Bat. a Vap. du Nord. For over two decades, it plied the seas as a workhorse of maritime commerce. Its career came to a violent end in the midst of World War II. On the last day of February 1944, while off the coast of Toulon, the Artésien was struck by a torpedo from an Allied submarine and sank, becoming another casualty of the intense naval conflict in the Mediterranean.

Lying at a depth of 48 meters, the Artésien is a dive for experienced and technically-certified divers. The depth and conditions demand respect, but the reward is a visit to a beautifully preserved piece of WWII history. Divers can explore the ship's structure, now draped in marine life, and contemplate the dramatic final moments of this once-proud vessel. It serves as a silent, submerged monument to the war that raged in the waters off the French coast.

Marine Protected Area: Cap Sicie - Six Fours

Best Time to Dive in Marseille & Calanques

The warmest water temperatures in Marseille & Calanques occur in January, averaging 13.9°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 13.9°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 13.9°C (air: 8.8°C)
  • February: 13.9°C (air: 10.5°C)
  • March: 13.9°C (air: 11.6°C)
  • April: 13.9°C (air: 13.8°C)
  • May: 13.9°C (air: 17.8°C)
  • June: 13.9°C (air: 22.3°C)
  • July: 13.9°C (air: 24.9°C)
  • August: 13.9°C (air: 24.7°C)
  • September: 13.9°C (air: 21.3°C)
  • October: 13.9°C (air: 17.8°C)
  • November: 13.9°C (air: 13.2°C)
  • December: 13.9°C (air: 9.9°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Marseille & Calanques

Nearest Dive Centres to ARTESIEN

Marine Life in Marseille & Calanques

Home to 163 recorded species including 101 reef fish, 17 sharks & rays, 10 whales & dolphins, 6 crabs & lobsters, 6 octopus & squid, 5 hard corals.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for ARTESIEN

Based on average water temperature of 13.9°C.

  • Wetsuit (5-7mm) - recommended for 14°C water
  • Hood & Gloves (3-5mm) - helps retain warmth
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories