Le weekend in CASSIS

Le weekend in CASSIS Cassis is a year-round charmer with its café-bordered quays on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea, and 300 days of sunshine a year says Janine Marsh. What to see and do Cassis, a seaside town on the coast of the Mediterranean is brimming with charm, the town boasts a port lined with colourful cafés, restaurants, and shops set in an outstanding area of natural beauty. It’s a perfect weekend destination – the fast train from Paris takes just 3 hours 48 minutes, and Marseille is just 25km away (30 minutes by train) – and a world apart. Wherever you are in Cassis you’ll see Cap Canaille, one of the highest cliffs in Europe, and according to King Louis XIV, the most beautiful in France. Hike, cycle, or drive to the crest of Cap Canaille and follow the pinetree perfumed Routes des Crêtes (ridges) for a spectacular view over the sea, Cassis and the Calanques, limestone cliffs that grace this part of the Mediterranean. You can hike to the Calanques and find a cove to swim or while away the day. Or take a boat ride – it’s best to go in the morning when the light is better, and watch the fish follow the boat, playfully flitting around the buoys that dot their kingdom. Somehow trees, flowers and fauna find a way to sprout from the crusty rocks, their jagged edges softened by the sea’s pounding over millennia. A vibrant market is held on Wednesday and Friday morning with a great range of goods from charcuterie and cheeses to chic shoes. And there are plenty of art galleries, shops and boutiques – including a perfumery where you can take a workshop and make your own perfume. This is the perfect place to stroll – and eat! There are restaurants galore serving the freshest fish, authentic bouillabaisse, seasonal, classic, gourmet, gastronomic dishes. There are café’s where they serve rouille, a garlicky paste to spread over crunchy bread squares and little bowls of olive oil to pour over your fish. Pair everything with a glass of wine from one of Cassis’ wine domains – local wines are served in all of the town’s port-based restaurants. Brunch: Les Roches Blanches – this is one of the best brunches in all of France – a smorgasbord of pleasure. Lunch/Dinner: Anywhere round the port, or head into the warren of narrow streets around for less touristy, more local options. Aperitifs: Locals love Le Franc, La Marine, Monsieur Brun in the port area, or the bar at Roches Blanches. Activities include swimming, diving, yearround snorkelling, sailing, tennis, windsurfing, Cassis port 26 | The Good Life France The Good Life France | 27