Cassis

Visit Cassis, Provence

Cassis is a small fishing port and town on the Cote d'Azur east of Marseille. The big appeal of Cassis belongs to its picture postcard harbour, and the very impressive position in which it is located - with tree-dotted cliffs rising on both sides of the town, and equally to the access it provides to a couple of stunning local attractions.

The local white wines from Cassis are also very highly regarded.

Exploring Cassis

Perhaps best described as small but perfectly formed, the harbour is filled with boats and lined with attractive traditional pastel painted buildings and plenty of bars and restaurants.

As well as the harbour, explore the streets in the town and up the hill behind the seafront, where highlights include the Chapel Notre-Dame de-Bon-Voyage, the 17th century Town Hall, and some impressive town houses such as the Villa l'Ariane (now houses the town library) and the Villa Mauresque.

There is also a small sunny beach in Cassis, with the cliffs as perfect backdrop. The combination of the town, beach and the surrounding scenery have long attracted artists here, including Georges Braque, André Derain and Raoul Dufy among others.

A small museum in Cassis is dedicated to the history of the town and region.

Note: an important festival dedicated to fishers is held here on the last weekend of June each year, when the port area becomes very lively.

Attractions and activities

Apart from exploring Cassis itself, be sure to find time for a couple of trips out from the town to the protected natural sites to either side of the port:

The Route de Cretes is a dramatic road that follows the clifftops to the south-east towards the harbour town at La Ciotat and is an unmissable excursion with great views out to the sea and along the headland of Cap Canaille, one of the highest coastal cliffs in France. The road is also a popular cycle route along the coast.

To the west of Cassis are the Calanques of Marseille - cliffs that plunge dramatically into the turquoise sea below - these are also unmissable! Best seen by boat-trip leaving from Cassis harbour (one of our favourite trips along the Mediterranean coast), there are also footpaths that permit access and an alternative (very lovely) viewpoint. (The first calanque to the south-west of Cassis contains the pleasure port of Port Miou.)

Photos of Cassis (click any picture to start the gallery)

Tourist classifications for Cassis: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 3*;

Suggested places to visit near Cassis, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Marseille 16km; Chateau d'If 19km; Bandol 19km; Sanary-sur-Mer 24km; Toulon 34km; Carry-le-Rouet 34km; Aix-en-Provence 35km; Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume 37km; Martigues 45km; Hyeres 49km; Barjols 54km; Ansouis 58km; Salon-de-Provence 59km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Cassis

Cassis tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Cap Canaille - site of natural beauty (0km) : Parc du Mugel - site of natural beauty (8km) : Parc municipal du Mugel - remarkable garden (8km) : Parc du 26e Centenaire - remarkable garden (14km) : Jardin de la Magalone - remarkable garden (14km) : Parc Longchamp - remarkable garden (14km) : Parc Borély - remarkable garden (14km) : Ollioules - recommended detour (27km) :

French version: see Cassis (Francais)