We are planning a trip to France in August 2020 with our kids (7 & 11). We’re an active family and love outdoors activities - hiking, swimming, etc. Between Arles and Nice, I was planning on spending 2 nights in Cassis. I am interested in renting a boat to head out to the calanques as well as possibly hiking to the closest one or two calanques (Fire dependent, I know). Has anyone spent time in Cassis in August? I am wondering if the hiking trails are closed if it will still be a worthwhile stop... if the trails are closed and we rent a boat, is it possible to moor in one of the calanques and swim/visit the beach that way? The town itself looks lovely and the calanques just puts it over the top for us.
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
I have been there in July. It is very hot and the hiking trails are steep and can be treacherous.
Renting a boat is a huge responsibility as it is the Mediterranean Sea. The calanques are gorgeous.
There are scheduled boat rides that visit the calanques or might be best to drive to one and hike down to stay and swim. Cassis is small with nice seaside cafes , boutiques and farmers market.
Posted by
Paris
7260 posts
If the trails are open (the most likely scenario: they've loosened restrictions in recent years, and right now, Aug 3, they're open), then hiking to Port-Pin (the first calanque as you leave the trailhead) is very feasible with kids that age, provided you all wear at least sturdy sneakers (if not hiking shoes) as parts of the trail can be slick from over-use. Do take plenty of water as there is none on-site.
Hiking any further is challenging, En-Vau seems close but the hike from Port-Pin involves a very steep scramble down an escarpment - and a climb back up. Not recommended.
Posted by
OP
14 posts
Thanks for your responses. Yeah - south of France in August is not my preference but with school holidays and kids sports schedules, it’s the only time that works. I’m planning on finding a place with a pool (hostel perhaps) to help beat the heat a bit.
That’s too bad about the boats on the Mediterranean - I had hoped it was a bit protected there so we could independently explore and swim a bit rather than taking a guided boat. But, good to know now. :)
It’s good to know they’ve relaxed a bit about trail closures. And the tips about the trails are great. Definitely don’t want to get in a dicey situation with the kids, especially.
Compared to the Côte d’Azur, how busy is Cassis in August?
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10515 posts
Cassis us very busy in August. It's a small place built up the hillside around an inlet. The beach and "downtown"are tiny. It's very hot in that part of France in August, hotter than Nice. As for the trails, I'll add to balso's description: where it's not slippery overused rock, it's rocky. I needed ankle-high hiking shoes and bought poles at Decathlon. We were there six months so did a bit of hiking. Tiny En-Vau is where people like drop anchor out in the water or hike out to swim and picnic. Just take it slowly if you want to hike out and enjoy. I never saw individual boat rentals when we were there, but things change. If there are, you'll have to have the appropriate boating license.