Cassis France, French Riviera Beaches

The ancient fishing village of Cassis is located on the southwest coast near Marseille. It's a friendly, down to earth and relaxed place...like St-Tropez without the attitude.

So if you've already been to the famous french riviera beaches and want to try something new, we'd highly recommend a visit to Cassis!

Cassis is in a pretty setting, surrounded by limestone cliffs, vineyards, and fig and olive trees. The old quarter of Cassis is now a listed heritage site; its tiny port is charming, lined with pastel-coloured houses.

Compared with other towns on the coast it is relatively unspoilt, although it does get popular in summer.

There are many artists and celebrities who have either visited, lived in or were inspired by Cassis and the surrounding landscape - such as Matisse, Dufy, Winston Churchill and Virginia Woolf.

Things To Do in and around Cassis

Cassis is popular for its beaches, as well as the stunning Calanques nearby.

There are lots of other great ways to spend time in Cassis, too. One of the most enjoyable is to find a table at one of the many cafes or restaurants around the harbour, order a bouillabaisse and a glass of cassis wine, and soak in the atmosphere.

If you're in Cassis on a Wednesday or Friday, don't miss the market that's held in the village square, Place Baragnon. You'll find everything you'd expect in a provencal market - olives, cheese, honey, fruit and vegetables and lots more.

Cassis is also a well-known wine growing region; production is on a much smaller scale than Bordeaux or Burgundy, spanning approximately 400 acres.

Cassis produces red and rosé wines but is most famous for its excellent white wines (not the cassis liquor, which actually originates from Dijon in Burgundy). The wine has a distinct fragrance, with hints of rosemary and heather, and has a greenish tint to it.

There are lots of local wineries that offer wine tastings; if you're interested, pop into the Cassis tourism office, who can advise you on wine chateaux in the area that are open to visitors.

Cassis also has a wine festival on the first Sunday in September, where you can sample and buy wines.

There are lots of walking and cycling trails around Cassis and the Calanques. You can pick up information about these, together with maps, at the Cassis tourist office.

For driving, one of the most spectacular is the clifftop Route des Crêtes, which links Cassis and the town of La Ciotat through Cap Canaille, the highest sea cliff in Europe. You'll find several panoramic viewpoints, with views over the bay of Cassis.

For a more active holiday, you can try rock climbing, sailing, diving, snorkelling, kayaking or fishing. The tourist office can provide more information.

Here are the contact details of the Cassis France tourist office:

Office de Tourisme de Cassis
Quai des Moulins
Ph 08.92.25.98.92
www.ot-cassis.com