Cassis, Hiking South of France, Provence, Calanques Hiking
Shopping Cassis, the South of France, Provence
Cassis, southeast of Marseilles on the Cote d' Azure, is the first of many beach and resort villages which
include St Tropez, Cannes and Nice.
Cassis is noted for white wine of the same name, Cassis,  (not Cassis of Central France) and for its hiking
on fjord-like inlets on the steep rocky coast. Cassis also has a  14Th Century castle (not open to the
public)that dominates the cliffs above the beach and village and makes for a great photo. Cassis casino
gambling keeps the nightlife lively.  
Cassis offers a sheltered harbor, cove-side restaurants, and tour boats that make trips to the
secluded inlets.  Hikers go ashore to explore the steep cliffs, others walk along the shore and over
the cliffs to the right of the village as you face the water.  According to the guidebooks, Winston
Churchill visited and painted in Cassis, staying at the White Rock Hotel.
Fishing with gill net and long line is till part of life in Cassis but the
harbor is nearly all given over to pleasure craft and tourism and
includes a gambling casino that attracts large numbers of visitors
from Marseilles.
Tour boats take
visitors from the village
docks and out along
the sheer limestone
cliffs into the fjords
known as Calanques
where boaters, divers,
kayakers, hikers, and
swimmers spend their
day.
Cassis hiking in the Calanques in the South of France Provence
can include a trip out of Marseilles for a twelve hour hike (Two
Day) along the high cliffs on trails above the Mediterranean to the
port of Cassis.  
Cassis on the Mediterranean has a great little harbor rimmed by waterside restaurants
where you can board a tour boat for the Calanques
Hikers out of Marseilles can  make a twenty five km trip along the cliff trails to the port of Cassis
For beginning hikers, the trail from Cassis to Port Miou is a good
short hike. (crowded on weekends)  Vehicles reach this port and
many boaters use the inlet.  A little further on,  Port Pin makes a
geed short hike.
A Drive From Marseilles on the D-559 will lead to hiking areas near Morgiou  Calanque
and will give you a good look at a Calanques fishing village of the past.  
This Calanque and Sormiou Calanque are  favorite rock climbing areas in the
Calanques.  Parking is available at the trailheads. Restaurants in the villages
The ideal climbing season is October through April. The exception to that is when
Mistral winds make climbing difficult.  You can park in the village and hike the trails
along the coast.

Hiking could be prohibited in this area due to fire hazard from the from July to the first
week in September.
May and June and Mid September and October could be ideal months for a visit.
Cassis Hiking: There are fjord-like inlets along the rocky coast that hikers out of Marseilles
or Cassis can  reach after a hike along the cliff trails.   Boats out of Cassis also take
passengers for day trips or hiking and climbing.  
You can hike along the coast between Marseilles and Cassis and visit
eight Calanques (inlets) large and small.
The eight Calanques in order if you are hiking from Cassis to Marseilles: Port
Miou, Port Pin, En Vau, L'Oule, Devenson Creek, L'Oeil de Verre, Sugiton, and
Morgiou.  Sormiou is in the vicinity of the end of the GR 98, about 8 km south of
Marseilles.

Many trails criss cross the Marseilleveyre cliffs or massif that looms high above
the sea. Some trails will close due to fire hazard in July,  August,  and part of
September.  The GR 98 (51)could be open year round.  The GR 98-51 follows
the coastline  between Marseilles and Cassis and is the most heavily traveled and
safest. (You are not likely to get lost) It is at least 15 miles  and can be a two day trip.
You will need adequate water.  Port Morgiou cam be a handy way station for
overnight stops.  A road reaches the port village.
From Marseilles, take a turn towards Luminy campus  off of the D-559.

The GR 98 Trail is designed for walking, not technical climbing.  A good map is handy
to have.  Many trails are in the area.   Callenonque can be a starting point from
Marseilles or La Madrague  reached by bus from Marseilles
Cassis Hiking
Cassis, Calanques Hiking in the
South of France can start with a
tour boat ride to the Calanques
Fishing Boat Cassis, the South of France, Provence
Custom Search
Where is Cassis?   Use this
site to find GPS  coordinates
Bookmark this Page Press Ctrl - D
or Share With Friends
Cassis Accommodations
France Rental Car
Cassis Activities
Cassis Trains
Cassis Culinary
Cassis Camping
Cassis Area/Day Trip
Cassis Hiking
Where is Cassis
Cassis Map
Provence, France
Do You need an International Driving Permit to Drive in Europe.
In France and Italy you can rent a car and do not need to show
an International Permit, only your drivers license    Italian law,
however,  requires that.....  See Article
Auto Europe  selection, price, and ease of booking on the
web. Shop online well ahead of your trip and choose diesel
(more economical) or gas, luggage space,(important)  
standard or automatic,(important)  two door, four door and
other options.  Renting for more than 17 days; see their
options      see  renting a vehicle in Provence
Custom Search

Save On Air Travel
When traveling by air  you can save on your air fare by Parking your Car for Two Weeks Free after one    
night Lodging in Airport Hotels near your home city.   (60 US cities and hundreds of others worldwide)

The early shuttle from the hotel to the airline terminal will allow you to book an early flight and save money     
on the airfare. Two weeks of free parking offsets the cost of the hotel room and you do not need to arrange    
for a limo from your home to the airport.  Free, 24 hour shuttles to the airport.
Hotels offer two weeks free parking with one night stay, some three weeks or a reasonable day rate for   
extra days.  Cruise passengers included.   See more info at link below, details, photos of hotels, reviews.
Convenient Two Week Free Airport Parking with a one night hotel stay could save you money and   
enhance your experience.  
Cassis Provence, Hiking, Biking,  Vacation Rentals, Casino Gambling, Provence the South of France
Restaurants to write home
about: Near Eygalieres   
When To Go To Cassis, Provence:   
Mid March to Mid November is a good time to visit Cassis although September to November
will have more rainy days.  Winter months are without snow but could be cold with January
averaging from 37 lows to 51 highs.  There could be a cold Mistral wind in winter.  
Provence biking and hiking is good any season except that during July, August, and the first
half of September some woods and trails could be closed due to fire hazard.  The Cassis GR
98 will remain open but other trails might close due to high wind or fire hazard.    
Cassis is on the Mediterranean Sea.
May (78 highs to 55 lows) and the early part of June are ideal.  The end of June, and all of
July and  August can be warm in the mid day (June 78-61) and crowded at times as much of
Europe takes its summer vacation.  Much of France goes on a six-week July August  vacation
and many people head south to Provence.    (August 83 highs to 65 lows)
Summer months are warm and dry.  Weather is ideal in May and June and September
October, great months to visit.
Showers could come in any month but will be of short duration in the summer, more frequent
Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec.
Cassis is notable dry in summer.   Mid March to Mid November will find most attractions
open.
Reach Cassis
Cassis Provence, can be reached by bus and train from Marseilles.     Cassis Gare SNCF
(station)    The train station is about 2 miles uphill from the town and provides bus service to
the casino about every hour, 7 am to 7 pm, summer.  A telephone is available at the station for
calling a cab.
Hiking, Biking,  Vacation Rentals, Calanque boat rides, beaches, and the Casino Gambling are
located within a short walk from the Casino stop.         Bus Marseilles to Cassis