Cassis

The less glamorous but equally beautiful little sister to nearby St Tropez, those leaving Provence for the sun-dazzled shores of the French Riviera will find everything they’re looking for in Cassis. This is the South of France at its most postcard-worthy - vast sandy beaches flanking a pretty harbor of painted fishing boats and magnificent yachts, and traditional cafés lining the stone-paved streets.

The ancient fishing port of Cassis is now a popular seaside resort, marrying its historic architecture with a flush of modern restaurants and boutique hotels, but the town’s most unique selling point is its location. Set beneath the towering white limestone cliffs of the Cap Canaille – France’s highest cliff – and surrounded by ‘calanques’, a series of sheltered inlets, home to the region’s renowned white Cassis stone quarries.

It’s Cassis’ laid back small-town vibe, along with its selection of pristine beaches and the dramatic Castle of Cassis, that makes it a magnet for tourists during the summer months, but the town also draws a steady stream of wine lovers to its surrounding vineyards, celebrated for their historic Cassis wines.