Cassis is a small, coastal Provençal town with a busy little port that’s lined with café terraces and bobbing boats. You’re also right next to Les Calanques, where the coastline turns into dramatic white cliffs and clear blue coves. It’s only a 40 minute drive easy from Marseille, so you can slot in a couple of nights here on a wider South of France trip.
Stay
Les Roches Blanches
We’ve stayed at Les Roches Blanches a couple of times now. It 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. You feel that “we’ve arrived” the moment as soon as you step onto the terraces! You can still pop into town easily for the port and shops, but the hotel itself feels quieter and secluded.
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, and formal
The hotel has two outdoor pools, the lower one closer to the sea and a higher, more secluded one, which tends to be quieter. Our favourite feature is the 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.
Dine
Villa Madie
Villa Madie is a “special night out” restaurant in Cassis. The setting above the seas is beautiful, and the whole experience is built for a long, unhurried evening. The cooking is properly gourmet, with Mediterranean flavours, a strong sense of local ingredients and the kind of precision you expect from a three-star address.
Photo: lavillamadie.com
Rocco (at Les Roches Blanches)
Rocco is the more relaxed, sociable option at Les Roches Blanches. It’s a place to go for something delicious but easy, with views of Cap Canaille. As the sun starts to drop, it gets lively, with a DJ playing on the night we were there. The menu is inspired by the Mediterranean and made for sharing, with a range of antipasti, mezze and generous plates.
Les Belles Canailles (at Les Roches Blanches)
Les Belles Canailles is the hotel’s more formal dining room. It’s still relaxed in a Riviera way, but it’s clearly the fine-dining choice on site. The kitchen celebrates the Mediterranean with a confident, terroir-led approach under executive chef Nicolas Sintes. The menu shifts with the seasons with a mix of updated classics, including bouillabaisse and newer creations. If you like the idea of a tasting experience, there is a Découverte menu to try out.
Do
Wander the port
The Cassis port is the heart of the town. You can take a slow loop around the harbour, looking at the boats and then stopping on a terrace for coffee, an aperitif or an ice cream. It’s busy, cheerful, and it’s perfect for people-watching.
Les calanques
Exploring the Calanques is an important part of any trip to Cassis. The Calanques are stunning, steep-sided limestone inlets (fjords). The scenery is properly striking, with white cliffs and bright turquoise waters. The easiest way to see it is by boat from the port, which lets you take it all in whilst chilling out.
If you’re feeling more energetic, you can also explore on foot, taking one of the walking paths. The picturesque calanque below is Calanque de Port Pin, which we walked to. It was about a 30-40 minute walk from the place we parked.
TRIP 2: ETIAM UT SUSCIPIT NIBH
After our walk, we stopped at the little brasserie of the local tennis club for a coffee and some refreshment.
Plage du Bestouan
Plage du Bestouan is the handy little beach that’s walking distance from Les Roches Blanches. There’s a little beach bar option nearby for simple drinks and snacks.
Why a trip to Cassis?
Cassis gives you a great mix of activities in one seaside location. It has a lively little port where you can spend hours doing very little (coffee, browsing, long lunches). It also has some of the most dramatic coastline in the region, with the Calanques.
