Marseille & Cassis Shore Excursion from Sanary-Sur-Mer

This Sanary-Sur-Mer shore trip visits Marseilles where you take a driving tour with short stops at the most famous sites. Then in the afternoon you visit Cassis where you have the option to take a boat trip to see the Calanques.

After meeting your guide at the pier in Sanary-Sur-Mer you depart for Marseilles. Upon arrival in Marseilles your first stop is the impressive Palais Longchamp. This monumental water fountain and colonnade was built between 1862 and 1869 under the reign of Napoleon III and was designed by Marseille architect Henri-Jacques Esperandieu.

Your next stop is Le Vieux Port, or the Old Port, where the sea enters the town's embrace. You'll have a chance to walk the bustling outdoor fish market and see the vendors selling local handicrafts or the flower market (depending on the day of the week).

Then you drive to one of the most impressive locations in Marseilles, Notre Dame de la Garde. This striking cathedral sits on the highest point in Marseille and from it you'll have panoramic views over the whole city. Locals consider this church the guardian of the city.

Finally you'll take a drive along the Corniche Kennedy, the coastal road named for President John F. Kennedy, and then you'll stop at a typical old fishing port, le Vallon des Auffes, where you can soak up the local atmosphere and see the small fishing boats in the tiny harbor.

While you are in Marseilles, you have free time for lunch.

This afternoon you have the chance to visit Cassis. Cassis is the type of unspoiled fishing village that first lured the jet set to the Riviera years ago. Surrounded by white limestone cliffs, umbrella pines, and vineyards descending directly into the sea, Cassis is friendly and unpretentious. The port is a curve of pastel houses and colorful wooden fishing boats in front of the outdoor terraces of seafood brasseries. There are few designer shops in the narrow streets, and no over sized yachts to gawk at. Instead you're likely to see fishermen, locals, and international tourists who shun the overcrowded beaches of St. Tropez.

While in Cassis, you can choose to explore the quaint town on foot, or if you wish, you can take a boat trip to see the crystalline azure coves called Calanques and the smooth white cliffs that surround them, part of Calanques National Park. Don't miss this opportunity to see this unspoiled natural beauty and feel the spray of surf brush your cheeks.

After your time in Cassis you return to the pier in Sanary-Sur-Mer.

• Mobility: Due to uneven surfaces, steps, and walking distances, this itinerary is not suitable for guests using wheelchairs. Please contact us for alternative sightseeing options, including private driving tours that may better accommodate your needs.
• Entrance fees and the optional Calanques boat trip are not included in the tour price and are based on your personal interests.