sandypaws3

On our last day in Aix-en-Provence, we are thinking of taking a mini bus tour to Cassis, available through the Tourist Information Center. My husband would really like to see Cassis, and we may not be back in Provence again for some time. It's only 4 hours total, which doesn't leave us much time, I know, but all we want to do is see the views along the way and have lunch in a seaside café. I know there is a stop at Cap Canaille and time enough to sit in a café and look at the view. We'd be back in Aix by 1:00 PM, allowing us to spend the rest of the time relaxing in Aix. We'll only have one other day in Aix. We don't expect a lot out of this tour, just a taste, to see if we'd like to return. I'm wondering if anyone has taken this mini bus tour to Cassis and what did you think about it.

Sandy

Ackislander

My son did it.

We couldn't because we were too late.

It does not run year round but only from whenever to November 1.

DebitNM

We have been to Cassis a few times during our lengthy stays in Provence. The first time, we had a lovely lunch and then drove the Grande Corniche for a ways, stopping at 2 eastern calanques to look at the wondrous view. This was in February.

The town is small and the harbor area is really the nicest part; the shops aren't all that different from other villages.

The second time, we went in October and the weather was spectacular - people were wading in the water and lots of people sunning on the beach. We did a 5 calanques boat ride. What a beautiful experience.

I doubt you'd have time to do a boat ride if you went on the tour.

http://www.ot-cassis.com/en/the-calanques-by-boat.html

It was so scenic - I have a photo of the harbor as my desktop screen!

StuDudley

You want to have nice/relaxing lunch along the port in Cassis, and then be back in Aix by 1PM?????

Last time we were in Cassis, the wait staff was "setting up" for lunch around 11am and a group of American tourists were trying to sit down at the table and wanted to see a menu. The guy "setting up" said they don't start serving until noon. The Americans were trying to argue with him, saying that they had to be back on their tour bus by 12:00 - but the waiter just ignored them. This might be the same tour you are inquiring about.

The earliest you can hope for lunch at a decent cafe along the port is 11:30 - and that might even be hard to find. I go at 12:00, and I'm almost always the first one at the cafe.

Stu Dudley

tomboy

We regret having been in a rush from Aix to Cassis; it's a very striking landscape, at least to a Midwest flatlander. The mountains just south of Aix near the expressway; the valleys near the coast; and the town itself.

If the time of the tour precludes lunch at a cafe, perhaps you could take a "typically French picnic lunch" on the minibus. But leave the accordion at the hotel.

Printemps

I took this tour some years ago on my first visit to Aix and really enjoyed it. The drive from Aix to Cassis is very scenic as I recall ( hopefully accurately) and the town of Cassis is charming. I would say "go for it". Don't worry about lunch, there's always lots of opportunities for food and drink in a France.

sandypaws3

Thanks, everyone, for your insight! Printemps, good to know the drive is scenic. I wondered about that! Stu Dudley, maybe just a drink....imagine the bus will head back by noon ��

Sandy

sandypaws3

DebitNM,
Thanks! Sounds like it would be best to drive, but we would really only have time for a short tour. Maybe next time...

Sandy