Cassis, all the charm of the villages of France
!Qu'a vist Paris, se noun a vist Cassis, pou dire, 'n'ai rèn vist' " (whoever has visited Paris and not Cassis has seen nothing), Frederic Mistral (1830-1914) .
The French Nobel Prize for Literature thus described the small fishing port , which arises between the two natural monuments of the Cap ( one of the highest cliffs in Europe) and The Calanques (formations made of white limestone that create a wonderful contrast with the deep blue of the sea).
This is how this cornice of Mediterranean stain is that will conquer you with its perfumes, on a journey out of time and space. That's how it is Cassis.
Artists, writers, poets, painters fell in love with this French gem. It's time for you to do it.
View of the port of Cassis
Examples of this idyll could be, for example, the neo-impressionist painter Paul Signac , who offered us a view of the port of Cassis in his painting 'The Jetty at Cassis' (1889).
Virginia Woolf , for her part, once she ended up in Cassis with her husband, she stayed at Hôtel Cendrillon (today, Hôtel Cassitel) and from there she wrote a letter to her sister Vanessa Bell, describing this little town as "a paradise on Earth ".
What will you write after visiting it?
Located in the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur , Cassis is a town of more than 7,000 inhabitants that with its wealth of landscapes will leave you enchanted in an intimate and special 24-hour getaway.
Port of Cassis
Here you have to come to eat. Cassis can boast of a wide culinary panorama full of little French treats: you will taste everything from traditional Provencal cuisine to the varied Marseillaise cuisine. : moules gratinées, à la provençale (mussels au gratin or Provencal), bouillabaisse... and of course, croissants and butter.
Where to enjoy these delicacies? We propose the coquettish Bed and breakfast Les Clos des Aromes , at Rue 10 Abbe Paul Mouton, where you can enjoy a rich breakfast served in the garden that blooms in the inner courtyard (from 8 to 10 in the morning) and which you can access even if you are not staying at the hotel.
In this romantic place, perfect for couples, you can also eat both at noon and at night. Be sure to try the mussels au gratin, also their Provencal-style squid, the grilled fish of the day... And if you decide to repeat at night, when the moon comes, the live music performances , mostly in summer.
inner area of cassis
Another option for lovers of seafood is Les Frangins, just ten minutes walk from the small port of Cassis (an area of narrow streets, full of perfumes, and flowers, perfect to be photographed).
Here his thing is to ask fresh fish of the day , and the delicious bouillabaisse accompanied with bread and butter to soften the intense flavor of all the Mediterranean fish. You must book a day in advance for your bouillabaisse.
To complete the gastronomic experience of Cassis, we close the pool with a third party: The Courtyard . Located at a strategic point at the crossroads between two streets, it will make you fully enter the life of cassis tour court : from here you can see the small houses of different colors, green doors adorned with flowers, local craft markets... all this, while you eat a dessert after a Tartare of Thon (tuna tartare) or sea risotto (risotto with seafood) .
Colorful houses in Cassis
A WALK THROUGH CASSIS: THE SEA IS YOUR CAPTAIN
It can be said that Cassis is divided into two zones, mainly: the port area and he to the inland area of the sea . The first is the most picturesque part where there are many bars, where you can have wine, coffee, cocktails, shakes and soft drinks, all always bathed in that French Riviera style.
We highlight the ** Bar Le Port ** for its special appetizers. In addition, in this area there are welcoming and easily accessible beaches: Bestouan , Y The Great Mer.
The beaches of Cassis
The second area, the interior, consists of narrow streets that climb following the shape of the calanques: from here, going along the street Victor Hugo , you will arrive at the famous fountain of the four nations . Almost straight out of a fairy tale, famous for being built in 1686 to celebrate the victories of Louis XIV, it reproduced a parisian fountain and she was always admired by all foreigners for her elegant style.
The town of Cassis is crowned by the Castle of Cassis , a symbol of its medieval history and which today has been converted into a luxurious hotel. From there, you can admire an incredible panorama over the entire Bay of Cassis... but only if you decide to stay at the hotel, of course.
As if that were not enough, Cassis will offer you impressive views over the sea, mountains, and its vineyards.
Castle of Cassis
THE TOUR
By car, bus, bike is the Calanques National Park where you can take advantage of all the organized activities: experiences both by land and by sea, electric bike excursions, trekking, boat trips...
In fact, the drive to Cassis from Marseille (approximately 40 minutes) is quite a journey in itself, as it is an enchanting journey with incredible views over The Calanques , with its whimsical shapes and colors.
Cassis