Marseille, Cassis and Aix en Provence Tour

Marseille is the largest and most populous commune in France after Paris and is the centre of the third largest metropolitan area in France. To the east, starting in the small fishing village of Callelongue on the outskirts of Marseille and stretching as far as Cassis, are the Calanques, a rugged coastal area interspersed with small fjords.

The city’s main thoroughfare, the wide boulevard called the Canebière, stretches eastward from the Old Port (Vieux Port) to the Réformés quarter.

To the south west are the hills of the 7th arrondissement, dominated by the basilica of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde.

Notre-Dame de la Garde is a Neo-Byzantine church sits atop the signal hill of La Garde, the highest natural point in Marseille, being a 162 m (532 ft) limestone outcrop on the south side of the Vieux Port.

Before your lunch, I plan a wine tasting. I know a very good winery, outside the village. The appellation Cassis wine, received the Appellation d’Origine Controlée in 1936, the first in the region.
They produce red, rosé and white, the white is the most famous and is really outstanding.

Cassis is an interesting village to visit.

Some of the buildings, however, date. A walk through the old village streets will reveal some nice old buildings, some dating back to the 16th century, and some restored with the colorful pastels

Other sites in the village are old fountains and an open-air market.

Other sites in the village are old fountains and an open-air artists market where we bought a few small paintings

Cassis is still a small fishing port, but the little fishing boats now share the harbor with boats for visiting the calanques (creeks), a trip you shouldn’t miss.

 Tour of 3 creeks last 45 minutes.

 Port Miou, wich means in provencal:"well sheltered from the wind", you will notice the first of the white Cassis stone quarries in the Calanques opened in 1753.

 Port Pin, named after the alep pines trees that grow between rocks and requirie very little soil to survive

 En Vau, which means "in the valley" in old French. It is the pearl ot the creeks according to many, and a meeting place for climbers that come from all over the world to pursue their passion.

 or Tour of 8 creeks last 1h30 minutes.

In addition with the 3 previous creeks.

 L’Oule, Its entrance is barely visible in the left hand corner, and its passage between the rocks ends at a deep round bowl.

 Devenson creek bounded by a circular cliff of 150 meters high, and dedicated to the god of winds. onlly the best climbers train here.

 (Black eye shape) At the top of the cliff, you can see a big round black eye-shape. in fact , at its centre a crystalline stone reflects the setting sun-rays, like the sparkle of an eye

 Sugiton, It was one of the first places for naturist in France.

 Morgiou.. It is a typical port with small pleasure craft. Around the port are situated Marseille style fisherman’s cottages (cabanons).
Behind Cape Morgiou lies a prehistoric cave at depth of 37 meters. It is named after a local diver from Cassis, Henri Cosquer. Cosquer Cave discovered in 1985 and its primitive wall paintings , dating back 27000 years, are well documented today.

Aix (Aquae Sextiae) was founded in 123 BC by the Roman consul Sextius Calvinus, who gave his name to its springs.

Aix, which during the Middle Ages was the capital of the county of Provence.

The Cours Mirabeau is a wide thoroughfare, planted with double rows of plane-trees, bordered by fine houses and decorated by fountains.

Along this avenue, which is lined on one side with banks and on the other with cafés, is the Deux Garçons, the most famous brasserie in Aix. Built in 1792, it has been frequented by the likes of Cézanne, Zola and Hemingway.

At the bottom at la Rotonde, stands a monumental fountain from 1860 beneath three giant statues representing art, justice and agriculture