Cassis, France

I took a train from Aix-en-Provence to the village of Cassis, France right on the coast. Cassis is a commune in the Bouches-du-Rhône department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southern France. It is situated on the Mediterranean coast, east of Marseille, and is known for its picturesque harbor, beautiful beaches, and renowned wine region. The town has a population of around 12,000 people and is located at the foot of the Calanques National Park.

Cassis has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. The town was originally a small fishing village, known for its sheltered harbor and abundant seafood. The Romans established a settlement in Cassis in the 1st century BC, and the town's strategic location on the Mediterranean coast made it a valuable port for trade and commerce.

In the Middle Ages, Cassis was a small, fortified town, with a castle and a church. It played an important role in the region's wine industry, with vineyards planted in the surrounding hills. The wine produced in Cassis was highly valued, and it was exported to other parts of Europe.

During the 19th century, Cassis began to attract artists and writers, drawn by its picturesque setting and mild climate. The town's popularity as a tourist destination grew, and it became a popular destination for the wealthy and elite.

Today, Cassis continues to be an important wine-producing region, and its wines are protected by the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) designation, meaning they must adhere to strict rules and regulations regarding production, grape varieties and yields.

I found Cassis to be a truly lovely little fishing village with a beautiful port that the entire town seems to be centered around. I decided to stay here in this small village for 3 nights because the pictures looked amazing. Additionally, it’s very well known for spectacular and unique hiking.

Given that every blog and post I read called Cassis the “hidden gem” of the Riviera, literally every single one, how could I not take some time to explore it fully? Sadly, I cannot support this claim of it being “hidden.” Clearly everyone has written about it and there are day trip tours offered from just about anywhere in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, I think it’s very safe to say it’s no longer hiding in plain sight. Yet I will support the claim that it is in fact a gem.

Here is the Port de Cassis with its surrounding promenade.

The beach right next to the port in the center of town called Plage de la Grande Mer.

The Cassis landscape is dominated by and famous for the highest sea cliff in France, Cap Canaille at 394 meters/1293 feet. It changes color throughout the day, and most spectacularly with its clay that shows up incredibly red at sunset.