“Qu’a vist Paris e noun Cassis a ren vist.”
“He who has seen Paris and who has not seen Cassis can say … I have seen nothing.” Frédéric Mistral (1830 – 1914)
I had taken the short train ride from Marseille to Cassis, a small seaside fishing village, over twenty years ago. It was a sunny morning when we boarded the train and hopped off at the St. Charles train station, a 2-3 kilometer walk to town. If I close my eyes, I can picture the lush verdant greenery of the rugged countryside of Provence, the brilliant blue seaside and the reddish-orange terra cotta tiles of the rooftops. I also remember the beautifully colored buildings and boats of Cassis and how magical a place I had found. Would her colorful, playful buildings still dance atop the turquoise sea?
The spectacular Harbor at Cassis
Like many places in the world, I never believed it would take me twenty years to get back. But sometimes life gets in the way and keeps you busy. As I road the bus from Marseille to Cassis, over twenty years later with my sister and mother, I wondered and desperately hoped, “Would it be the same”?
So often memories are nostalgic for a reason. Things change. Places get discovered and sadly get spoiled. Would Cassis have the same fate as so many other beautiful places in Europe? Would it be lined with tacky t-shirt and souvenir shops taking all of her beloved charm away? Would it be overcome with tourists pushing and shoving for a table at an outdoor cafe? I would have to wait and see.
The view outside the bus window of verdant Provence. Cassis is located about 20km/12.4 miles east of Marseille along the Mediterranean Sea.
As our bus pulled into the outskirts of Cassis, my heart began to flutter in nervous anticipation for the beauty that await. What I would soon discover is that Cassis remained as captivating and beautiful as before. Cassis had thankfully remained for the most part the same: A gorgeous gem of the Mediterranean Coast and Provence. A best kept secret. A child at play with a touch of grace.
The bus dropped us off right around here and we headed the short walk into town.
As we walked along tree-lined streets into town, I snapped away on my camera. Cassis was as perfect and quaint as ever and remarkably had escaped being spoiled by over-development and tourism despite the fact that tourism is one of this tiny fishing villages largest asset. Thankfully, there were no Starbucks, McDonalds or ugly souvenir shops in Cassis. Just simple beauty and color that reminded me of an impressionist painting by Matisse.
The Château de Cassis (erected in XIII-XIV century) which dominates the city is now a private residence, hotel and reception area.
There is a labyrinth of colorful streets that winds you back to the narrow little harbor of Cassis. Take your time. Marvel in the delights. There are plenty of lovely shops and boutiques to whet your appetite, offering local wares such as provencal soaps, lavender and handicrafts.
The brightly colored storefronts and buildings are highly alluring and picturesque.
There are also tons of wonderful little restaurants and cafes where you can get a taste of local fish and provencal food. Don’t forget a glass of Vin de Cassis, one of the most famous wines in Provence.
Storefronts in Cassis
A french dog enjoys herself laying outside a cafe.
There are many beautiful shops with provencal handicrafts and goods in Cassis.
As we entered Cassis, all the beautifully decorated french windows captured my heart and took over my camera! I had to slow down my pace and click away.
As you walk further you come to the most beautiful part of all of Cassis. Wedged between the rugged rocky coastline of the Mediterranean Sea, lies the spectacular seaside harbor, the crown jewel of Cassis. Beautifully colored buildings in hues of pastels line the harbor and picturesque fishing boats rest calmly in the azure sea. Restaurants, cafes and shops grace the landscape and you could easily spend an entire afternoon sitting happily in a chair watching the world go by and sipping a glass of Vin de Cassis.
There is no lack of restaurant or cafe to choose from with a view to kill in Cassis.
The fishing boats of Cassis
As you walk along the sides of the narrow harbor, where the tour boats to the calanques await, the most stunning view of Cassis can be found. Do the playful colors of the buildings dance atop the turquoise sea? Judge for yourself.
Lovely Cassis
Cassis is also known for her lovely beaches and is a launching off point to Les Calanques, a series of gorgeous inlets formed where the chalky-white jagged cliffs plunge into the aquamarine sea. Most people visit Cassis taking in her beauty, shopping and fabulous outdoor dining before or after heading off to visit the calanques.
Cassis is a jumping off point to the calanques. Many boats offer tours from the harbor to the calanques. You can see three, five, eight or even nine if you wish.
In the summertime, the beaches of Cassis are busy.
After a wonderful visit with a trip to Les Calanques, I snapped this last shot of Cassis. Would I go back? Yes indeed. But hopefully it won’t take me another twenty years to return!
Getting there
Train: You can take the train from Marseille to the tiny Cassis station St. Charles however it is located about 3 or 4 kilometres from the Port of Cassis. Visitors arriving by train can either take a taxi into town or enjoy a long but pleasant walk along a tree-line pathway.
Bus: You can take the metro to the stop Castellane and jump on the bus (look for sign that says “Cassis”. It is about a forty minute ride on way and takes you within steps of the entrance of Cassis. There are beautiful views along the way as well.
For more detailed information, check with your hotel or the tourist office in Marseille.
If you need someone to carry your luggage next time…I am available!
He he! 🙂
Reblogged this on totesphere's Blog and commented:
lovely
Thank you so much for the reblog!
Beautiful, Nicole. I haven’t stepped foot in France yet. I have to visit!
Thanks Jennifer! 🙂 You would love France! It is such a beautiful country and of course special to me as I’ve spent a lot of time there! 🙂
Such a pretty town – Provence is an area of France I’d love to visit, but in the meantime I shall enjoy your photographs. Thank you for a glimpse of Cassis 🙂
You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed! 🙂
Gorgeous post and photos, Nicole! I can see why you got carried away with your camera! It’s always hard going back and seeing the changes of time but some places preserve their charm and beauty more than others.
I was nervous when I returned to Phuket then disappointed. Time hasn’t been so kind here. It’s changed so drastically but there is still some beauty here.
Thanks Lucy! I would love to go to Phuket as you know. It is nice when you discover those places that are still untouched by time and have their special charm. I hope more places in the world stay this way. 🙂
I definitely wouldn’t say Phuket has been untouched by time! Quite the opposite. Too much development but at least there are still some beautiful places here. It would be a very different experience from Antigua that’s for sure though!
Absolutely stunning shots, Nicole. 🙂
Thanks! 🙂 I thought they turned out nice…:)
the water looks so vivid! I’d love to jump right in.
Yes it is a beautiful place! 🙂
So beautiful and colourful Nicole!
Thanks Madhu! When do you go on your trip to France?
Wednesday next! We will be in Paris the entire week.
Have a fabulous time Madhu! 🙂
It is a shame when hidden gems are discovered and overrun to spoil the beauty. Glad to see your gem is still intact and beautiful.
Yes me too. I often feel like much of Europe just isn’t the same. I guess that is why I prefer more off the beaten path places now or ones that are very culturally different.
That is why I am not keen to go back to certain places, so it can stay the same in my memory 🙂
Beautifully described. I loved the way your hopes for a return, to the stored, mental pictures from your past were teased out and ultimately fulfilled. I also write about my travelling experiences and have been inspired by your use of photographs to enhance the readers experience.
Best wishes and safe passages,
SGR
Thanks so much. I was really relieved that it was still somewhat the same as I’ve often been disappointed. Thanks for the wonderful compliment too! 🙂 Glad you enjoy my posts. 🙂
you made me smile with the French dog who enjoys herself laying outside a cafe… = carpe diem / greetings by my cat!
Wonderful! 🙂
Oh my gosh! I wondered why this town seemed so eerily familiar. Looking at your photos I felt like I knew this place intimately. Now, I know why. My mother and I are working on a thousand piece puzzle of Cassis. LOL
That is wild! How ironic!