I'm interested in going for the day from the port of Marseille (one day cruise self-excursion) to Cassis for some awesome scenery. Please help me with some instructions. I read on one of the forums to take the bus on the scenic route (sit on right side of bus) to the bus station that is a couple of minutes' walk from the port of Cassis. I'm intested in taking the 3 calanque boat tour while in Cassis, then returning to Marseille for some quick sightseeing.
Any direct instructions from someone who has done this before would be a god-send.

Not sure if you were insisting to the take the bus, but this trip appears to go by boat right from Marseilles. Just an idea. http://www.visite-des-calanques.com/...-pg1-lgen.html

If I were to do it this way (which I didn't know was an option) I wouldn't be seeing the calanques of Cassis, but rather the ones between Marseille and there. I'd rather NOT get completely sun-zapped by being out there for a total of 3 hours (1 1/2 there, 1 1/2 back); instead, the 45 minute tour while in cassis should be more than adequate.

It's been two years, so without my notes I'm a little "fuzzy", but I think I can help, a little. I arrived by bus/train from Aix into the Marseilles train station and was going directly to Cassis for a 2- night stay. So I took the train there- it was not far. I can't remember entirely how I got from the train station in Cassis down to the waterfront, I think it was maybe about a 10-15 minute downhill walk, hopefully someone else here can tell you. Also, from my own research, I remember that options are more limited on Sundays/certain times of year (since you don't specify when this is).

We weren't able to book the calanque tours ahead of time, and the ticket place opened about 9:30 or 10 a.m. Even though this was August, it was not a problem to just do it then. I can't remember if the tours started right away or if we waited awhile. We opted for one of the longer choices (7 of them? 9?) and by the end it was hard to justify the little inlets as "calanques"!!!! But the middle (5?) was spectacular, and I don't think significantly longer.

So it will be about noon or so ??? when you finish the tour- the waterfront is small and you could spend an hour or so wandering and have lunch. There are not many shops...

hope this helps- you will love it!

Really didn't want to take the train.. it supposedly isn't the scenic route. Anyone dealt with the tourism organizations in France? Are they pretty helpful? Anyone with bus experience from the port of Marseille to and from Cassis.. would be nice to hear from you!