Cassis: The Perfect Day Trip From Marseille

Just a thirty-minute drive from downtown Marseille lies a small town fishing port named Cassis. Home to a few pebbly, people-packed beaches, the limestone mountains of the Calanques National Park tower over the small piece of the light blue Mediterranean Sea.

There seem to be no less than one hundred small boats in the port, which is protected by sun-tanned buildings holding ice cream shops, cafés, and fancy boutiques. French flags line the street of the proud little town; one that is constantly buzzing with European tourists and locals on a day trip from Marseille.

Cassis is not one of the towns you stumble upon, as you have to drive deep into the mountains and then back inland. It is a place you seek out. Although the parking is a nightmare (it took us about 45 minutes to find a parking structure with open spots) this place is worth the wait.

click here to laugh.