Between Cap Canaille and the Calanques, Cassis combines a harbour lined by colourful façades, sloping streets and vineyard-covered hills. A town walk and a hike into the Calanques require different planning.
The harbour and village
Cassis is an ancient fishing harbor and place of trade (Carsici Portus was its Roman name), nowadays also a renowned small tourist town and seaside resort. Cassis is located in a beautiful location at the bottom of a narrow sheltered bay on the west by Mount of Gardiole and dominated to the east by the high cliffs of Cape Canaille. The harbour is home to many fishing and pleasure boats and is a starting point for visits to the nearby Calanques. Quays lined with colorful houses and pier are a very pleasant place to stroll and the beach of Grande Mer in the heart of the city offers the opportunity for swimming and sunbathing.
The city center
was rebuilt in the 18th century, the streets are orthogonal and regular,
fairly steep. Above the roofs rises the steeple of St. Michael’s church, built in the 19th century.
To the east, the remains of a medieval fortress overlook the town,
it was built by the Lord of Baux-de-Provence, Cassis overlord in the
Middle Ages. Today it is a private property, it can not be visited.
Behind the town, vineyards rise in terraces on the hillsides around the Gulf of Cassis. The presence of the vine is even prior to the arrival of the Phocaeans in Marseille. Cassis wine is one of the oldest wines of France, it was among the first wines to obtain AOC status, in 1936. The bulk of production is a white wine that matches harmoniously with seafood and fish.
The statue on the harbor evokes Calendal (Calendau in Provençal), a hero from Cassis in an epic poem by Mistral. Calendal, a humble anchovy fisherman, performs a series of exploits worthy of the labours of Hercules to win the favour of the beautiful Estérelle.
Planning a trip towards the Calanques
Cassis’ landscapes extend towards Cap Canaille and the Calanques. Routes to En-Vau are hikes over rocky terrain with changes in elevation: duration depends on the route and walkers. Access to the forested massifs may be prohibited because of fire risk. Check current conditions before setting out and distinguish these hikes from a harbour stroll.
Planning your visit
Check with the tourist office for access to the Calanques and Route des Crêtes. Reservation rules specific to Sugiton, in Marseille, should not be confused with those for other calanques. Fire-risk closures still apply.
Accommodation near Cassis
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Sights and activities
Cassis tourist office : web site www.ot-cassis.com
- Mediterranean Municipal Museum
- Port of Cassis
- The Calanques
- Ridge Road
- Provençal market on Wednesday and Friday mornings.
- Printemps du Livre late April early May
- Festival of the Sea in June
- Christmas festivities
- Wine Festival Cassis and harvest the last weekend in September
- Marseille-Cassis running race in October.
- Exhibition "Place aux peintres"
Coming to Cassis
GPS coordinates N 43°12'54'' - E 5°32'13''
Situation of Cassis : altitude 10
meters, 7800 inhabitants,
25 km from Marseille, 50 km from Aix
en Provence, 44 km from Toulon
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