The port of Cassis in the south of France
- © Boris Stroujko / Shutterstock
Cassis, the fishing village between the calanques and the Mediterranean Sea
Just a stone's throw from the calanques nature park in Marseille, Cassis blends Provencal traditions with modernity under the southern sun.
Above all, Cassis is synonymous with sunshine, beaches and dips in the Mediterranean Sea. It's a destination where you can relax and unwind, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Cassis is famous for its fine sandy beaches, which you can find in our article on the most beautiful beaches in Cassis.
What's more, there are plenty of spas to pamper yourself in, and hiking trails to clear your head.
Panoramic view of the fishing port of Cassis
The calanques of Cassis offer many possibilities for the adventurous. You can easily explore the creeks of southern France by kayak, electric bike or stand-up paddle, and if you want to try your hand at diving, there are diving schools offering first dives, training courses and courses. The Cassis seabed is just as beautiful as the surface, and the water sports centres and tourist office are on hand to help you book your activities.
Hiking in the Calanques National Park in Cassis
As well as the accrobranche park in Cassis, there are plenty of activities ideal for the whole family, including bike rides, cinema and kayak trips. In general, there are plenty of activities for children from Marseille to Nice, including amusement parks, zoos and petting zoos.
Kayaks at the Calanque d'En-Vau in Cassis
French cuisine is famous the world over. The south of France is a region where the herbs of the mountains meet the flavours of the sea. Provençal specialities are rich and varied, mixing summer vegetables with seafood. Restaurant menus evolve with the seasons and the local catch. In fact, it's not uncommon to see chefs from Cassis's top restaurants visiting the town's daily market.
Fish soup overlooking the port of Cassis
For wine lovers, Cassis is a goldmine of iodine and floral flavours. Under the AOC "Vins de Cassis" label, the whites are known the world over for being full of citrus fruits and the Mediterranean. Several estates will be delighted to welcome you to taste their best vintages and visit the châteaux' cellars, where the wine ferments in huge vats.
The Cassis wine region
Cassis is first and foremost a fishing port that, over the years, has seen a succession of civilisations. From the Phoceans in Greece to the Romans, via the Genoese who arrived from Italy, the village has absorbed cultures and traditions from elsewhere.
The history of the restanques, emblematic of Cassis and its people, can be found in the Musée des arts et traditions populaires de Méditerranée. This museum brings together fishing tools, costumes, finds from wrecks on the seabed of the calanques, and much more.
If you're passionate about the Mediterranean and its history, just 45 minutes from Cassis is the MUCEM, the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisation. An exceptional place.
The MUCEM in Marseille
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To get to Cassis, simply fly into Marseille's Marignane international airport, from where you can hire a car and drive to Cassis, just 54 km away.
Finding accommodation in Cassis is a real pleasure. Thanks to the terraces and the gentle slope on which the town sits, the views are each more dazzling than the last. We've put together a top 8 list of the most beautiful views in Cassis, so you can wake up in awe, every morning.
👉 Of course, prices vary enormously, depending on the activities and the standard of your accommodation. However, we've put together an average budget for a week in Cassis, for two adults, during high season.
During the high season, accommodation becomes increasingly scarce and many visitors are prepared to pay a lot for a nice view of the sea. On average, a night in Cassis for two costs between €75 and €150, so for 6 nights you're looking at around €750 for two people.
🍴 Without mentioning Michelin-starred restaurants and grands crus, an average meal in a restaurant in Cassis costs around €35 per head. €70 for two. Assuming you eat out once a day and cook, or prepare a picnic, for the other meal, we've come up with a budget of €490 for 7 days for two.
The activities are varied. If you're on a tight budget, there are plenty of free activities to choose from, including the beach, hiking, swimming, snorkelling, etc. Similarly, there are plenty of paid activities, such as stand-up paddle and kayak hire, electric bike rides and scuba diving. Given the wide range of options available, we've worked out a budget of €50 per day, for two people. The budget for your activities over a week is €350.
👛 The total for a week in Cassis is €1590. This price is an average, for guidance only.
The south of France is a very popular tourist destination during the summer season. Due to the beautiful sunny days and mild climate in Cassis, we recommend that you avoid July and August, the two busiest months of the season. You can enjoy the same activities under the southern sun in May, June or September, without as many people.
🌤️ The weather in Cassis is very pleasant. Temperatures range from an average of 3°C in winter to 39°C in summer, with an average summer temperature of 30°C. There are 238.2 hours of sunshine a year, and frost is very rare.
You can hire a car directly from Marseille Marignane Airport (MRS) when you arrive. In hall 1 of terminal 1, the rental desks offer a selection of cars. We recommend: AVIS, at the airport Airport phone: +33 (0)820 61 16 39
If you want to make sure you're well prepared for your holiday in Cassis, you can book your activities in advance. The tourist office and Cassis town websites offer various options for booking your hotels, activities, etc.
If you are a French or European citizen, you don't need to take any particular steps to travel to France and visit Cassis. Other travellers should check with their embassy to find out how to travel to France. If you need a visa, the government website France-Visas will help you with the formalities.
Take advantage of this opportunity to visit Marseille, a dynamic and constantly changing city that is well worth a visit. If you don't have a car, the train will take you to Marseille's Gare St-Charles from Cassis station in 1 hour.
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