Looking for a pretty French seaside town with a lively port, clear blue water and seriously dramatic coastline? Cassis is a lovely little destination, located 40 minutes from Marseille. It works well as a short break or as part of a wider South of France trip. It has pastel buildings, café terraces, bobbing boats, good seafood and Les Calanques, a stunning series of white limestone cliffs that drop into bright turquoise coves.
Here are some headlines on what you can do on a trip to Cassis, with more detail and weblink on places to stay, dine and drink on our full website page here.
Wander the port
The port is the heart of Cassis. It’s colourful and full of life, with fishing boats, restaurants, cafés. You can wander round the harbour, browse the little streets behind, then stop for coffee, ice cream or an aperitif on one of the many café terraces. Part of the charm is simply pottering around, enjoying the easy seaside atmosphere.
Explore Les Calanques
Les Calanques are one of the big reasons to visit Cassis. These steep limestone inlets are properly striking, with bright white cliffs, clear blue water and some of the most dramatic coastline in the South of France.
The easiest way to see them is by boat from the port, which gives you the views without too much effort. You can choose different trip lengths depending on how many calanques you want to see.
Or, if you’re feeling more energetic, you can also explore on foot. Calanque de Port Pin is a beautiful cove reached by a walking path from a nearby car park. It takes around 30–40 minutes but is well worth the effort.
Chill at the beach
Cassis is not really a big sandy beach destination, but it does have some lovely little swimming spots. Plage du Bestouan is a short walk from the centre, with clear water and a pretty setting looking back towards the cliffs.
Splash on a stylish stay
Les Roches Blaches has one of the most breathtaking settings of any hotel we’ve stayed in. Set into the rocks just outside the centre of Cassis, you face straight out over the bay towards Cap Canaille.
Inside, the style is Riviera Art Deco with a modern refresh. There are clean lines, curved details and a light coloured palette that suits the setting: crisp whites, soft neutrals and sea tones. It’s elegant without being stiff or formal
The hotel has two outdoor pools, with the lower one closer to the sea having direct sea access. There are steps leading down from the rocks to the water, so you can go for a quick dip whenever you feel like it, or head out on a paddleboard.
Book a memorable lunch or dinner
Cassis is a great place for a long lunch or a special dinner, especially if you can get a table with a sea view. The port has plenty of relaxed options for seafood, salads and Provençal cooking. For something more special, Villa Madie is the gourmet option, with a beautiful position above the sea. Les Roches Blanches is also worth considering for drinks or dinner, even if you are not staying there, thanks to its lovely views towards Cap Canaille.
Why go?
A trip to Cassis gives you a lovely mix in one small seaside place: a cheerful port, clear water, café terraces, boat trips, coastal walks and the dramatic scenery of Les Calanques.
For more ideas on trips in France and the rest of Europe, see the Near section of our website here.
