Cassis

Cassis sits in a bay between two extremes: west are the calanques, narrow limestone inlets with green water, and east rises Cap Canaille at three hundred and ninety-four metres, the highest sea cliff in mainland France, with a corniche road along its top. The port is a working one, with fishing boats among the pleasure craft and a small fleet running trips into the calanques. The town gives its name to a dry white wine grown on terraces behind it, made mostly from Marsanne and Clairette, which is not to be confused with creme de cassis, the blackcurrant liqueur from Burgundy.

What you actually see

• Cap Canaille - the highest sea cliff in mainland France above the town.
• The calanque boats - trips into the limestone inlets from the port.
• The white wine terraces - Cassis vineyards on the slopes behind.
• The port front - fishing boats and cafes around the harbour.

When to go

May to June and September to October; July and August bring severe crowding and parking problems. Calanques access on foot is restricted or closed on high fire-risk days in summer.

Honest expectations

Parking in season is genuinely difficult and expensive, and the town discourages cars. Boat trips do not always land in the calanques. Summer fire closures can cancel walking plans at a day's notice.

Nearby

The Calanques national park lies west; La Ciotat is east.