This full day Marseille shore trip visits three treasured spots in Provence: the fishing village of Sanary-sur-Mer, the hilltop village of Le Castellet, and the seaside town of Cassis. This is our most popular itinerary in southern Provence.
After meeting your driver guide, you start with the fishing village of Sanary-sur-Mer. You have a chance to explore its daily market, voted the Most Beautiful Market in France by French television network TF1 in 2018. The town's atmosphere is unique, thanks to the colorful, wooden fishing boats, called pointus, floating in the harbor, a symbol of the southern Provence coast. You will experience the relaxed pace of local life, listening to the southern accent as locals chat with merchants and buy fresh products. The market offers local specialties to sample, including pickled garlic, anchovies, marinated onions, olives, olive oil, cheese, salami, fresh bread, and the catch of the day, alongside colorful vegetables and fruit. You can also explore the narrow streets of the town center and see the Church of Saint-Nazaire, with its distinct Byzantine influenced design.
Next you depart for the medieval hilltop village of Le Castellet, whose name means "the little castle." This tiny stone village, a member of the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (Most Beautiful Villages of France) association, has winding, narrow streets and sits in the heart of the Bandol wine region. It also served as a filming location for Marcel Pagnol's classic 1938 film "The Baker's Wife" ("La Femme du Boulanger"), starring Raimu. Tiny shops line the streets, where craftsmen work in front of you, creating artwork, decorative objects, and gallery pieces. Many merchants sell Provencal goods such as tablecloths, pottery, bags, leather items, and lavender. You have free time for lunch here (meal not included); the traditional crepes, served with cider, are worth trying.
Later in the afternoon you continue to Cassis, at the edge of the Calanques National Park. This small fishing port sits at the foot of one of the highest maritime cliffs in Europe, nearly 1,200 feet high, with views that make for a memorable photo stop. An optional boat ride is available to see the Calanques from the water, or your driver can take the crest road, stopping at viewpoints over the Calanques, the sea, and the coastline. The ridge road is closed on Sundays and in poor weather. At the end of your excursion, you return to Marseille.
