Provence Sightseeing Tour: Marseille and Cassis

Meet your guide at Marseille Vieux Port and then head southeast by minivan to the seaside town of Cassis – only a short drive away. After traveling along the scenic Corniche des Crêtes road, stop to admire dramatic coastal views of the Gulf of Cassis from Cape Canaille – the magnificent headland that tops France’s highest sea cliffs.

Head down the hills and stop in Cassis to walk around its pretty harbor, lined with colorful houses that typify the fishing villages of Provence. Hop aboard a sightseeing boat and cruise out of the harbor to see three of the region’s spectacular calanques – a series of striking limestone rock formations that comprise the so-called ‘fjords of the French Riviera’ along the coastline.

After spending roughly 45 minutes on the water, head back to Marseille by minivan and finish your day with a relaxing sightseeing tour. Stop to marvel at the Neo-Byzantine architecture of Marseille’s Notre-Dame de la Garde church, and enjoy breathtaking views across the sea toward Château d’If – the fortress featured in Alexander Dumas’ novel The Count of Monte Cristo. Pass the 11th-century Abbey of Saint Victor and then end your tour back at Marseille Vieux Port in the evening.