Cassis

Cassis is a gorgeous little fishing village, like a smaller St Tropez without all the bling. Its harbour is lined with restaurants, in the water bob traditional wooden fishing boats, and its rough sand beach is good for swimming in clear blue water.

Cassis is busy in summer, but delightful out of season. From Cassis you can take a very scenic drive to La Ciotat, taking you along the crest of the tallest cliffs in Europe, with dramatic vistas - its called La Route des Cretes.

Even more remarkable heading in the other direction towards Marseille, are the calanques. These can be accessed by boat or on foot from Cassis, the first of them is just round the corner.