Driving from Saint Remy to Cassis
 

Is it possible to go to Cassis for the day from Saint Remy? My friends insist that this is a place i shouldn't miss while in France. merci

we've done it but took the autoroute which is faster but costs,
leaving early to spend the day there.

Viamichelin says it take 1 hour 18 min and is 120 km (approx 75 miles) We will be going to Cassis after St. Remy but will stay in Cassis for 2 days to be able to spend some time also in Bandol and Sanary sur Mer. We love Cassis, though partly for the harbor scene in the evening for dinner and you might not want to drive back late at night after dinner. One way or another Cassis is a terrific little fishing village with great charm and you can see it in a day trip from St. Remy if that's your only option.

We did it as a day trip from even a bit farther away (Venasque) and enjoyed it very much: First to La Ciotat, as a starting point for the Route des Cretes drive, a late lunch in Cassis, then a boat tour of the Calanques - not to be misssed! It's all in our report at http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...n-provence.cfm

I find Cassis charming but there is really not a lot to see, other than the harbour.

(I am unaware whether you can visit the fortress that hangs over the old port. Or whether "ca vaut la visite")

If you are making that drive, however: you must -- trust me, MUST -- if it is clear, sunny day, take the cliffside road (called the Route des Cretes) from Cassis east toward La Ciotat. You can get there from Cassis in about 15 minutes.

Here is a shot of the scenery -- the closest thing to Heaven I have ever seen:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...&id=1126123095

More photos from the Calanques :
http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/ph...-photo-364.htm
http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/ph...-photo-029.htm

It is a very easy drive, with the only problem being traffic at peak times and parking in Cassis. It is also a favourite winter lunch stop from Marseille in winter.

The nicest way to visit is by boat from Marseille (unless you have your own boat !). It is probably possible by public transport, too, with a bus from Marseille.

By car, you can drive to Cassis, then take a boat trip along the coast to see the Calanques (Fiords with no road access).

You can get an idea of the views by following the coast West on Google satellite view from Cassis to Marseille :
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...06899&t=h&z=17


Peter