Experience the best of Cassis

Cassis wraps around a small harbour of colourful houses and painted fishing boats, east of Marseille on the Mediterranean coast. Above the town, Cap Canaille drops more than 300 metres into the sea in red and ochre cliffs, among the highest on the French coast. A medieval castle stands on the hill, and cafés line the waterfront beside a pebble beach.

Boats leave the harbour for the calanques of Port-Miou, Port-Pin and En-Vau, narrow inlets with steep white walls and clear green water in the Calanques National Park, and walking trails lead along the cliffs from the town. The Route des Crêtes, a high road along the ridge, runs east towards La Ciotat with views over the coast.

White wine from terraced vineyards behind the village, which has had its own appellation since 1936, is the natural partner for the day's catch, and Marseille's bouillabaisse and fish soups are served in the harbour restaurants. The mistral wind keeps the skies clear, and summer is hot.