A
last minute change of plans during a trip to Provence left a friend and I
looking for accommodation between St Tropez and Marseille the night before
catching a flight from Marseille. Where should we overnight that would be
enjoyable but also within easy reach of the airport? It looked like an
opportunity to explore Cassis had landed in our laps.
About
20 kilometres east of Marseille, Cassis sits nestled at the foot of high cliffs
and gazes out at the Mediterranean. It is a good place from which to explore
the spectacular calanques (inlets) along this stretch of coast. This one-time
fishing village, now a picturesque little town, is a maze of narrow streets
that all seem to lead to the sea.
 |
| Cassis Cafe, France |
Sadly
having arrived late the night before and needing to depart at lunchtime we
didn’t have time to see the calanques (on the positive side – it gives us good
reason to return!) Still, we awoke to a beautiful spring morning, enjoyed
breakfast in the sunshine on the quayside overlooking the boats and the thirteenth
century castle, and set out exploring.
 |
| Exploring Cassis, Provence, France |
On
foot we ventured along quiet residential streets bountiful with window-boxes
and flowers, and headed towards the centre. We treated ourselves to locally
made light, crunchy biscuits and enjoyed admiring the fountains, street shrines
and various boutique shops around town.
 |
| Biscuits |
Cassis
has a history of attracting artists and as you stroll around on a bright and
sunny day it is easy to see why as you admire the colourful town, hillside
vineyards and harbour.
 |
| Waterfront, Cassis, France |
It
is also a town that recognises its fishing heritage and has a court dedicated
to fishing. The court houses a statue of Saint Peter, patron saint of fishermen,
which is the focus of the festival of the sea that takes place each year in
June.
 |
| Cassis Harbour, France |
We
only scratched the surface of Cassis, but I was still impressed enough to want
to go back. Cassis is a beautiful town even the road leading from the highway
through the vineyards and down to the harbour was pretty. Imagine exploring the
calanques by sea! I’m already plotting to go back.
