Cassis, South of France, Hiking, Provence
Southeast of Marseilles on the Cote d' Azure, Cassis is the first of many
beach and resort villages which include St Tropez, Cannes and Nice.
Noted for white wine and fjord-like inlets on the steep rocky coast, Cassis
also has a  14Th Century castle dominating the cliffs above the beach and
village. (Not open to the public)
Cassis has 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.
The hiking trails run along the shore of the Mediterranean in the hill seen
in the background of this photo, right.
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 for under 10 Euros 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: From
Marseilles you can  
make a twelve hour
or more trip (15
miles)along the cliff
trails to the port of
Cassis     ( Park could be
closed in summer due to
fire hazard)
Cassis on the Mediterranean in Provence, the south of France, is a great place to start or
end your hike. The port side village has a great little harbor rimmed by waterside
restaurants where you can board a tour boat for  touring the Calanques
On arrangement, the boat will drop you in the chosen Calanque for your hiking or
climbing.  The boat will then  pick you up on a return trip
Renting a House or Vacation Rental In
Provence for Hiking, Biking,and the
Culinary Vacation
Between Marseilles and Cassis there
exists  20 Calanques (inlets)  large and small.
Eight large Calanques in order if you are
hiking from Cassis to Marseilles: Port Miou,
Port Pin, En Vau, L'Oule, Devensen Creek,
L'Oeil de vere, 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 September.  
The most popular hiking trail between
Marseilles and Cassis is the GR 98. It stays
open year round.  The GR 98 follows the
coastline  between Marseilles and Cassis and
is the most heavily traveled and safest. (You
are not likely to get lost)
It can be a two day trip depending on how
many of the Calanques you visit and your
length of stay. (15 miles)
. You will need adequate water.
Port Morgiou cam be a handy way station for
overnight stops.  A road reaches the port
village.
The GR 98 Trail is designed for walking, not
technical climbing.  Many other trails require
technical gear to descend to the sea.
A good map is handy to have because there
are many trails in the area.   Callenongue can
be a starting point from Marseilles or La
Madrague  reached by bus from Marseilles.
Bus and train service connects Marseilles and
Cassis for a return trip after a hike.  
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
good short hike.
Along the coast between Marseilles and Cassis
there are  20 Calanques (inlets) large and small,
several reached only by boat or by hiking.
A Drive From Marseilles on
the D-559 will lead to hiking
areas near Morgiou  
Calanque
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 Hiking and
climbing season is
October through April.
The exception to that is
when Mistral winds make
hiking difficult.
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.
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
No Passing
for
commercial
vehicles
No
Passing
zone ends
Rotary
with yield
to traffic in
rotary
Auto Europe offers 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
Speed limits will be clearly marked and the Rotary will be a welcome site with its directions to various
towns.  Gassing up is similar to US with credit card and automatic shut-off at modern pumps. Car rental
are available in all large cities and at many TGV Train Stations.
Information for those renting a vehicle in Provence
Cassis accommodations and Marseilles hotels offer access to Cassis hiking tours,
mountain biking and hiking holidays above the Calanques of Southern France.  Cassis
hiking or biking from Marseilles along the coast offers many dirt and paved roads to
the trailheads on the cliffs above the Calanques
Cassis Lodging, Flights, Auto Rental, Train Schedules