Less than 40 minutes from Marseille, three gems of the Provençal coast offer your guests unforgettable landscapes, exceptional wines and a singular way of life.
The coastline between Marseille and Toulon ranks among the most beautiful in Europe, yet it often goes unexplored by visitors who stop at the Phocaean city without venturing further. Cassis, Bandol and Sanary-sur-Mer, three towns less than 40 minutes from Marseille, concentrate vertiginous creeks, world-renowned wine appellations, family beaches and Mediterranean village architecture that is impossible to find in larger cities. Including them in your welcome guide is one of the most appreciated gestures you can make for your guests.
Cassis: calanques, cliffs and exceptional white wine
Cassis is a village of 8,000 inhabitants nestled between limestone cliffs and vineyards, 23 kilometres east of Marseille. Its colourful pleasure harbour, shaded terraces and cobbled lanes make it one of the most photographed destinations in the Bouches-du-Rhône. Its reputation rests above all on its calanques: turquoise limestone fjords of which the most famous, En-Vau, is accessible only on foot from the Col de la Gardiole (90 minutes walk) or by boat from the harbour. The Soubeyran cliff, 394 metres high, is one of the tallest sea cliffs in Europe.
The Cassis AOC vineyard covers just 220 hectares, making it one of the smallest appellations in France. Its white wine, made from marsanne, clairette and bourboulenc grapes, is the perfect companion for bouillabaisse and rockfish. The most acclaimed estates, Domaine du Paternel and Château de Fontcreuse, are well worth a half-day visit.
Practical advice
In July and August, parking in Cassis is very difficult. Recommend the bus from Marseille (line 50, from Castellane, 45 minutes) or the train (Cassis station, then shuttle). In May-June and September, the calanques can be visited in far more comfortable conditions with fewer crowds and no mandatory booking.
Bandol: the appellation of Var's finest ageing wines
Bandol, 45 kilometres from Marseille, is known worldwide for its wine appellation, one of the most prestigious in southern France. Bandol AOC reds, based largely on the mourvèdre grape, produce powerful, structured wines that age effortlessly for 10 to 20 years. Bandol rosés are among the finest in Provence. Around ten prestigious estates are open for visits and tasting: Domaine Tempier, the absolute reference of the appellation, Châteaux Pibarnon and Romassan, and Domaine de l'Olivette.
The island of Bendor, owned by the Ricard group, is just 7 minutes by boat from Bandol harbour. It houses a museum of wines and spirits from around the world, a holiday village and a preserved beach — an original excursion for guests seeking something off the beaten track.
Sanary-sur-Mer: preserved authenticity
Sanary is often described as the most authentic of the three towns. Less touristy than Cassis, less viticultural than Bandol, it retains the character of a fishing village. The Wednesday morning market, one of the most lively in the Var, brings together local market gardeners, fishmongers and olive oil producers around the harbour. The Portissol beach, a 10-minute walk from the centre, is one of the few natural sandy beaches in the area. Sanary also has a little-known cultural history: in the 1930s and 1940s, the town welcomed a colony of German intellectuals fleeing Nazism, including Thomas Mann, Bertolt Brecht and Heinrich Mann.
Planning a day trip through all three villages
An ideal itinerary for a day trip from Marseille:
- Morning: early departure to Cassis (30 min by car), calanque walk or boat tour from the harbour (9:30 departure, 1 hour)
- Lunch: grilled fish on a harbour terrace in Cassis (budget 25-40 euros per person)
- Afternoon: drive to Bandol (20 min), visit and tasting at a wine estate (book in advance)
- Late afternoon: stop in Sanary for a harbour stroll and aperitif on a terrace before heading back
- Best period: May-June and September, fewer crowds and ideal temperatures for walking
Elyos
