Cassis

Day 1: Harbour charm and cliff‑top panoramas

Settle into the rhythm of Cassis: pastel façades around a busy little harbour beneath the vast wall of Cap Canaille. Today is about easy viewpoints and timing the light so the cliffs “catch fire” at sunset.

• Morning: Park at Parking des Gorguettes and take the shuttle to the centre; stroll Quai Saint‑Pierre and Quai des Baux for classic harbour views with pointus and Cap Canaille looming beyond. For a quieter angle, walk partway up Chemin des Lombards to look back over the rooftops to the bay.
• Midday: Linger over a seafood lunch near the port or picnic in the Jardin Public de Cassis with a slightly elevated view of Plage de la Grande Mer; midday light is harsh, so focus on people‑watching and shade. If it’s hot, dip at Plage du Bestouan (pebbly, clear water; limited shade).
• Afternoon: Drive the Route des Crêtes towards La Ciotat, stopping at Pas de la Colle, Belvédère de Cassis and the Grandes Falaises for sweeping panoramas (check inforoutes13.fr; this cliff road often closes in high winds or fire risk). Keep well back from unfenced edges, especially if the Mistral is blowing.
• Evening: Return for golden hour on the harbour or walk to Pointe des Lombards for a quieter sunset with a side‑on view of Cap Canaille turning ochre‑red. Join locals for an apéro with a glass of Cassis AOC and watch the colours fade.

Day 2: Calanques on foot – Port‑Miou, Port‑Pin and En‑Vau

The calanques are Cassis’s crown jewels—white limestone, pines and impossible blues. Start early to beat heat and crowds, and check park access on the Mes Calanques app before you go.

• Morning: Set out by 07:30–08:30 from Port‑Miou (easy seaside path with a forest of masts) to Port‑Pin (45–60 mins total from town). Continue towards En‑Vau via the belvédère for the iconic top‑down view; terrain is rocky and can be slippery—proper shoes, sun hat and 1.5–2 litres of water per person are essential.
• Midday: If conditions and access allow, descend to the pebble beach at En‑Vau for a swim beneath towering cliffs (steep, uneven descent; no facilities or water). In peak summer, En‑Vau may require a free advance reservation—have proof on your phone; if it’s full or too crowded, enjoy a quieter lunch stop on the cliffs en route instead.
• Afternoon: Hike back via a slightly different loop for fresh perspectives, sticking to waymarked trails where restoration works redirect traffic. If trails are closed for fire risk, switch to a boat tour from the harbour (approx. €18–€30 depending on route) to admire Port‑Miou, Port‑Pin and En‑Vau from the water—great in the afternoon when cliffs are lit.
• Evening: Recuperate with gelato on the quay, then take a drink on the terrace of the Best Western Plus Hôtel la Rade (open to non‑guests with orders) for a sublime sunset over the port and Cap Canaille.

Day 3: By sea and secret angles of the coast

Today pairs sea‑level views with lesser‑known lookouts. Mornings are generally calmer for the water; afternoons suit breezy viewpoints and vineyard‑rimmed coves.

• Morning: Paddle a guided kayak from Port‑Miou to Port‑Pin/En‑Vau for a serene, upward‑looking perspective of the cliffs (book ahead; respect no‑anchor Posidonia zones and follow your guide’s line). Non‑paddlers can opt for an earlier, longer boat circuit to reach further calanques in better light.
• Midday: Picnic and snorkel at Plage du Corton or Plage de l’Arène east of town—rocky, more rugged, and lovely views up to the lower strata of Cap Canaille (limited shade; water shoes helpful). In autumn the sea stays warm; in high summer, avoid peak sun 12:00–15:00.
• Afternoon: If the Route des Crêtes is open, make a short stroll from one of the belvédères along the Cap Canaille ridge for ever‑changing panoramas across the Calanques and the Bay of La Ciotat. If winds close the road, take the coastal path to Pointe des Lombards for sea‑spray views without the crowds.
• Evening: Toast your last night with an apéro on a harbour bench or a casual spot on the rocks above Plage du Bestouan as the cliffs glow. For a final, intimate village outlook, wander quiet lanes around Rue Frédéric Mistral to frame the church belltower against the evening sky.

Notes for all days:

• Always check access and fire risk before hiking the calanques (Mes Calanques app; red means closed).
• Carry out all rubbish; stick to marked trails; greet fellow walkers with a friendly “Bonjour.”
• Avoid driving into the centre—use Parking des Gorguettes + shuttle.
• The Mistral brings crystal‑clear views but can close ridge roads and make cliff edges hazardous.

By Air

• Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) – approx. 50 km. By car/taxi: 45–60 min. By public transport: airport coach to Marseille St-Charles (25–30 min, frequent), then TER regional train to Cassis (20–35 min), then local shuttle to the centre (10 min).
• Toulon–Hyères Airport (TLN) – approx. 55 km. By car: ~1 hr. By public transport: bus to Toulon, TER to Cassis (about 50–70 min rail time), then local shuttle.
• Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE) – approx. 180 km. By car: ~2–2.5 hrs. By rail: TER/TGV Nice–Marseille (about 2.5–3 hrs), TER to Cassis (20–35 min), then local shuttle.

By Train

• Long-distance: TGV to Marseille St-Charles from Paris (~3 hrs), Lyon (~1 hr 40), Avignon (~35–45 min), then TER to Cassis (20–35 min).
• Regional: TER services on the Marseille–Toulon line stop at Cassis (also from La Ciotat, Toulon, Hyères).
• Cassis station is ~3 km uphill from the town/port. A local shuttle bus runs between the station and the centre/harbour (about 10 min; frequent in daytime). Taxis are available.

By Bus

• Regional buses operated by the Aix–Marseille–Provence network link Marseille, Aubagne, La Ciotat and Cassis. Typical journey time from central Marseille is 45–60 min depending on traffic.
• Local shuttles in Cassis connect the station, park-and-ride and town centre/port.

By Car

• From Marseille/Toulon: A50 motorway, exit for Cassis/Roquefort-la Bédoule, then follow D559 to Cassis. Typical driving times: Marseille centre 35–50 min; Toulon 45–60 min; Marseille Provence Airport 45–60 min; Nice ~2–2.5 hrs.
• Parking is limited near the harbour. Use Parking des Gorguettes (park-and-ride) and take the shuttle to the centre, especially in peak season.