Cassis & Calanques tour from Marseille: Cap Canaille & boat ride

See Marseille's old port and cathedral, then sail into Cassis's turquoise coves

A full-day private tour from Marseille takes you through the city's main sites (the old port, Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica with views over the Mediterranean, and the shoreline at Vallon des Auffres), then drives the scenic Gineste road to Cassis. From the harbor there, you can take a boat into the calanques with their turquoise waters, then hike to Cap Canaille, Europe's highest sea cliff at 400 meters, for views across Cassis Bay.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Marseille and Cassis highlights

• Cross the old port of Marseille
• Visit Notre Dame de la Garde Cathedral viewpoint
• Drive along Marseille shore with stops
• Drive panoramic road to Cassis village
• Spend time in Cassis village and harbour
• Optional boat ride to Calanques coves
• Drive ridge route to Cape Canaille cliff

The experience

How do you fit Marseille's highlights and a coastal village into one day without a car? This tour handles the route in a private air-conditioned van, so you move between stops without planning transport. The guide drives you through the old port, then up to Notre-Dame de la Garde, where the basilica sits on a hilltop overlooking the city and the Friuli Islands. On the way back down, you pass the Castle of If, the fortress tied to the Count of Monte Cristo legend, and stop at the small port of Vallon des Auffres along the shore.

From Marseille, the route follows the panoramic Gineste road toward Cassis, a village on the coast with a working harbor and narrow streets. You have time to walk around, eat lunch if you want, or simply sit by the water. The boat ride into the calanques (the steep rocky inlets with clear turquoise water) is optional and costs extra (€21 for one hour or €25 for ninety minutes per person). If you skip the boat, you walk the ridge route to Cap Canaille instead, a 400-meter cliff that drops straight to the sea and frames views of Cassis and the Mediterranean in all directions.

The van holds up to eight passengers and includes bottled water. The guide speaks English or French and drives the whole day, so you stay seated except during stops and the optional hike to the cliff. The tour runs seven to eight hours total.

What’s included

• Comfortable air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz van for up to eight passengers.
• professional driver guide.
• bottled water throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30, 09:00, 09:30 and 10:00

Book up to10h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Discover Provence on a private tour

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or French, so you follow the commentary in whichever language you prefer. The van does all the driving, which means you can relax between stops and don't need to navigate the coastal roads yourself.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

What is Cap Canaille and why is it worth seeing?

Cap Canaille is Europe's highest sea cliff, rising 400 meters above Cassis Bay. You reach it by walking a ridge route that offers views across the Mediterranean and back toward the village and harbor below.

Can I take a boat into the calanques, or do I have to hike?

The boat ride is optional and costs extra. You can choose a one-hour trip for €21 per person or a ninety-minute trip for €25 per person to see the turquoise coves from the water, or you can skip it and spend more time in the village or on the cliff walk instead.

What are the main sights in Marseille on this tour?

The tour includes the old port, Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica with its viewpoint over the city, the Castle of If, and the shoreline at Vallon des Auffres. You see these from the van and stop at a few to get out and look around.

Is lunch included, and where do we eat?

Lunch is not included. You have free time in Cassis to eat at a restaurant in the village or bring your own food. The guide can suggest places but does not arrange meals.

How much walking is involved?

Most of the day is spent in the van. Walking time depends on what you choose: the village stroll is as short or long as you want, the cliff walk to Cap Canaille is moderate, and the boat ride is no walking at all.