Marseilles Highlights & Cassis

Enjoy the best of Marseille on a panoramic coach tour and visit the quintessential French fishing village of Cassis. You’ll drive through Marseille’s captivating Old Port, understanding the influence of the Greeks who first settled here around 600 BC, and see Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica, a 19th-century wonder built atop a limestone outcrop that towers over Marseille. Gaze in awe at this neo-Byzantine church, a green-and-white-striped sanctuary whose belfry soars nearly 200 feet and is topped with a titanic gold-leafed statue of the Madonna and Child.

Journey along the scenic Gineste Road, which hugs the pristine coastline, to the enchanting seaside village of Cassis. Nestled at the base of a medieval castle and framed by limestone cliffs, you’ll find the stone-paved streets of Cassis’ tranquil Old Town, which is lined with pastel-colored houses and mottled plane trees. As you breathe in the aromas of Provençal herbs and take in the village’s poetic scenery, you’ll understand why the town has attracted artists for generations. During time on your own, perhaps you’ll stroll the shimmering harbor and spot fishermen unloading the daily catch, an evocative tableau that perfectly encapsulates the delightfully unspoiled village of Cassis.

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.