Here’s a guide for things to do in the South of France! I visited the charming town of Cassis, France, on a family vacation and had an unforgettable experience. Below is a rundown of our activities, along with some insights from our stops in Paris and London.
Alex and I made the somewhat adventurous choice to travel to France with our children (who were 7 and 1 at the time) and sought a picturesque beach destination away from the crowds in the South of France. We quickly fell in love with Cassis!
Cassis is a remarkably distinctive town near Marseille. It boasts stunning beaches and delightful winding streets, and it’s adjacent to Calanques National Park, a stunning area featuring miniature fjords with crystal-clear turquoise waters. As you might know, we have a passion for the Mediterranean diet, and the French Riviera (the Mediterranean coastline of France) was the perfect spot to enjoy it up close!
I can’t recommend Cassis enough if you’re dreaming of the South of France! Detailed information on what to do is provided below, along with some tips from our trip to Paris with our two kids. I also included London since we made a short visit there as well.
This was a “just for fun” family getaway that turned into so much more: a grand adventure and a source of creative inspiration for all four of us. There’s a lot to share! We’ve compiled all the information we could think of below.
What To Do in Cassis
Cassis is a remarkably distinctive town located in the South of France near Marseille. It not only features beautiful beaches and charming winding streets, but it’s also positioned next to Calanques National Park, a stunning natural setting with miniature fjords filled with turquoise waters. It truly resembles a postcard! We were pleased to discover that it wasn’t (yet) overcrowded with tourists during our early June visit.
Where we stayed
We booked an Airbnb with my sister and my dear friend and her family (a total of 8 people). It boasted an amazing saltwater pool and lovely gardens adorned with cypress and palm trees, along with two separate main living areas. It was absolutely ideal, and the children swam every day. Each evening, we grilled dinner and enjoyed it on the patio with views of the water and cliffs. It was perfect for a vacation with a large group, and we highly recommend it.
What to do
As our Paris segment of the trip was quite busy (it was our first stop), we aimed for a laid-back experience in Cassis. Here’s what we enjoyed:
Beach: Our accommodation was near a beach that was more secluded and private compared to the main Cassis beach. It’s rocky but absolutely fantastic for children, and there are a few bars where you can grab a drink or ice cream (our favorites were a double caramel Magnum bar and the traditional Pastis drink, an anise-flavored liqueur). Be aware that topless sunbathing is common, so be prepared for possible questions from kids about cultural differences!
Pool: We made use of our pool every single day. It was delightful! I strongly recommend finding a place with a pool if you can.
Calanques National Park: Our house was conveniently within walking distance to the town, beach, and Calanques National Park, which was perfect. The beauty of the area is astonishing, and the fjords are enchanting against the turquoise waters. There are three different Calanques that were accessible for hiking. The two older children (7 and 4) were able to hike to the second Calanque and search for shells and wildlife. Different groups among us took hikes at various times throughout the day: sunset was particularly magical!
Town: We strolled into downtown Cassis daily; it’s a quaint fishing village with pastel-colored shops and bistros. It was enjoyable to shop and relax with coffee and pastries in the cafes. Our favorite bakeries were this one (we adored the Canelé and fougasse) and this one (where we found incredible beignets and muffins).
Market: There is a fantastic farmers’ market open on Wednesdays and Fridays in Cassis, filled with amazing fruits and vegetables, as well as large displays of olives, spreads, cheeses, and meats. It’s definitely worth visiting. On most days, we would visit the market or grocery store to gather food for dinner and then grill on our patio or prepare a large cheese board with meats, spreads, olives, and veggies.
Wineries: The region is famous for its rosé wine, so we aimed to visit at least one winery. We chose THIS winery and enjoyed a delightful wine tasting (reservations are recommended). We brought home a bottle of white and a rosé in our luggage, and fortunately, both made it back intact!
There are numerous other excellent destinations for day trips from Cassis (it’s about a 1-hour drive from