Cassis

" Qu'a vist Paris, se noun a vist Cassis, pou dire: n'ai rèn vist" ("He who has seen Paris and who hasn't seen Cassis can say. I have seen nothing").

These words alone of the Nobel Prize for Literature winner, Frederic Mistral, represent the formidable attraction that Cassis exerts on all those who come here. This small fishing port, nestled between two exceptional natural sites, (the famous massif of the Calanques and the majestic Cap Canaille) offers visitors a concentration of Provence and the Mediterranean.

The magical effect begins on the small road that leads to the village and winds its way between the vineyards and the pine forest. Its charm reveals itself when strolling through the narrow streets and squares bordered by the colourful houses that belong to the local fishermen and the first impressions of the port with its boats and inviting terraces are not easily forgotten.

Dependent until the Revolution on the Bishops of Marseilles, the commune of Cassis has always been a very religious one. The modern city preserves many testimonies of this spiritual life, of which the shrines or 'oratories' that line the streets of Cassis are fine examples. Often located on a roadside or an enclosing wall, there are 11 oratories still visible in Cassis today. Built out of carved stone or in masonry and featuring an ogivale niche and a pointed, or sometimes semicircular arch, they are generally surmounted by a wrought iron cross. Some still house a statue which testifies to a particular devotion: Oratory of the Virgin Mary, Oratory of Holy Mary-Magdelene, Oratory of the Child of Jesus, Oratory of Saint Joseph, Oratory of Saint Antoine de Padoue, Oratory of Saint Charles Borromée, Oratory of Saint Lazare, Oratory of Saint Vincent, Oratory of Saint-Luke.

• THE FOUR NATIONS FOUNTAIN

this recently constructed fountain is the heiress of an older one built in 1690. This monument reproduced a Parisian fountain that was built in 1686 to celebrate the victories of Louis XIV. It was so finely executed that when seen by Parisian travellers they noted in their correspondence "those who have seen the Fountain of Paris, haven't seen anything until they've seen the Fountain of Cassis". This expression, transformed by Frederic Mistral at the beginning of the 20th century, endures and has become emblematic of the village. According to local history, the original fountain was accidentally broken in 1785 by a Catalan fisherman who had climbed to the top of it so that he could have a better view of the Midsummer's Day festivities of Saint-Jean.

• The fountain Baragnon

In the middle of the park, this fountain pays homage to Pierre Baragnon, owner of the castle of Fontcreuse in the 19th century and Adviser General of the Canton for 20 years whose untiring efforts gave way to the water channel between Marseilles and Cassis in 1892. .

• L’HÔTEL DE VILLE (Town Hall)

This private mansion was built during the 17th century by Désiré of Moustiers, former consul of Marseilles. It then passed through the hands of several owners before being bought in 1938 by the municipality of Cassis to serve as the Town Hall which has resided there since 1945.

It has been a listed building since 1984 thanks to the rich heritage that it holds within: the Salon d'Honneur with its coffered ceiling, the Renaissance chimney, the chapel with it's ornate ceiling, the facade with its Louis XIII windows and the fine entrance hall with balustrade staircase.Restoration work carried out in 1998 allowed the update of its medieval vestiges which are visible from the ground floor thanks to windows in the flagstones.

• VILLA L'ARIANE

This country house of italo-provençal style formerly belonged to a wine grower from Cassis. Respectfully restored by the Municipality, it now accommodates, on three floors, the Public library and the School of Music which is housed in an ancient greenhouse that overhangs a decorative garden.

• VILLA MAURESQUE

Joined to the castle, this dwelling from the turn of the 20th century owes its name to its style, which recalls the colonial properties that were built in Algeria at about the same time. It was bought, along with the castle of which it was formerly dependant, by an American who had fallen in love with Cassis. On his death, his estate was passed hand to hand, until the Municipality repurchased the Villa in 1979. Currently closed to the public, it is undergoing a restoration project to develop a cultural space.

• TRIBUNAL DE PÊCHE (Fishing Court)

Located alongside the port on the Barthelemy quay, it testifies to the long time prevalent activity of the commune, that's to say the fight by the people of Cassis to distance themselves from the "despotic, tyrannical, expensive, suspect and abusive" jurisdiction of the conciliation boards of Marseilles. This right was granted to them in 1791.

The facade of the courthouse houses, in a niche, a wooden statue of Saint Pierre, (Saint Peter) patron saint of fishermen, which was restored in 1984 and is traditionally carried out in procession to the church on the last Sunday in June ; the time of Saint Pierre. The ceremony is followed by a blessing made at sea to all boats and a homage is made to all missing sailors.

• BESTOUAN IRON FACTORY

Located at the bottom of the bay of Bestouan, it constitutes a fine example of industrial heritage from the Second French Empire. It was the location of a very short lived iron and steel industry considering its construction began in 1856 and its liquidation was marked in 1861.Fate dealt a bad hand when, just after its construction, there was a serious economic crisis which was to be fatal for the business. The site now boasts two inhabited dwellings, a wall at the foot of the cliff, an arched door framed by two semicircular windows, stone corbels and a 33m high chimney.

Those who love the sea will love Cassis. A lively sea, beaches, fishing, nautical sports and yachting.

Between cassis and Marseilles, 3,5 or 8 creeks, you can choose the circuit on the spot, without reservation for the private individual. Caution! Certain conditions can to involve cancellations (weather) or starting additions (strong demand).

Payments by accounts - cheques, accounts - cheques holidays or species.

The visit of the Creeks functions all year, every day (subject to the weather conditions). Tickets on sale directly on the port with the loading (yellow kiosk) or near the captains except season. No the payment by CB.

• The beach of the Large Sea

Sand beach, of rollers and gravel from 300m on 50m. At the bottom of the hill of the Castle, in the middle of the village. Supervised weekends and bank holidays, of at the beginning of May at mid-June and the last 15 days of September (with beyond according to the weather), every day of mid-June in mid-September of 10:00 to 19:00. On the spot: setting with the water of kayak and boards with veil, fishes.

Handicapped accesses (function only when the beach is supervised, every weekend of May, then every day of June 1 in mid-September. Addressing to the swimming teacher rescuer).

Animals not - authorized.

• The beach of Bestouan

And rock pebble beach of 150m on 30m. In line of horizon, the Dirty Cape in majesty… Supervised weekends and bank holidays of at the beginning of May at mid-June and the last 15 days of September (with beyond according to the weather), every day of mid-June in mid-September from 10:00 to 19:00. The presence of a parking space near the beach, arranged and paying (105 vehicles).

Snacks/refreshment bars, lodging, station rescue, showers, toilets, dustbins. Animals not - authorized.

• Anse de l'Arène  

Crack of sand (in water), rollers and rocks of 400m on 15 Mr. Borded by a pine forest. Access to a little difficult sea, by rocks. Parking space Madie in the vicinity arranged for 160 vehicles (avenue of Révestel). Not supervised natural handle. Access limited in summer. It is interdict to smoke on the beach in period of the main risk. Animals not - authorized

• Anse du Corton  

Very small split of rollers. Gourmet restaurant in the vicinity: The Madie Villa, imagined by Jean-Marc Banzo and Enrico Bernardo… A single, convivial and inventive place where each one declines its know-how. Parking space Madie, arranged for 160 vehicles (avenue of Revestel). Natural handle not supervised.

Animals not - authorized.