Drive this Stunning Beauty the Route des Crêtes Cassis to La Ciotat
As we climbed higher, the views became increasingly spectacular. The Route des Crêtes isn’t just about the views—it’s also about the experience of driving it. The road is narrow and winding, with sharp hairpin turns and steep grades that test your skills as a driver. There were moments when it felt like the road was clinging to the cliff’s edge. It’s a drive that demands your full attention but rewards you with some of the most exhilarating views you’ll ever see. Yet, for all its challenges, the drive is also incredibly peaceful, offering a unique way to experience the rugged beauty of Provence. Continue reading here for Deborah’s original article, part of a seven-day road trip along the Côte d’Azur.
Why Visit Cassis?
“He who has seen Paris and not Cassis has seen nothing.”
A quote by Frédéric Mistral, Provençal writer and poet and 1904 Nobel Prize winner in literature. And he is right. Cassis is easily reachable from many regional spots, and the setting is stunning.
Located east of Marseille, Cassis is famous for its towering cliffs and turquoise inlets. The cliffs are as stunning as those found along the English Channel in Normandy. The stunning bays—les Calanques—are accessible primarily by boat or, in some cases, by footpaths. The wine-growing area around Cassis is known for its white and rose wines. The region is not known for Creme de Cassis, made from blackcurrants and a specialty of Burgundy.
Cassis stone has been quarried for centuries and used in major ports around the Mediterranean. The same stone forms the base of the Statue of Liberty in New York City.
Today, the town’s focus is tourism, fishing, and wine production. The sheltered Cassis harbour is filled with pleasure craft, fishing, and tour boats. Restaurants of all descriptions line the port, each with large terraces designed to watch the sights. Cassis is a lovely place for lunch.
The Wines of Cassis
Cassis is France’s most beautiful AOP (appellation d’origine protegée): the vineyards cling to the slopes of a magical amphitheatre that plunges towards the shimmering Mediterranean. The Phocaeans (ancient Greeks from Asia Minor) must have been enchanted with these slopes when they first saw them 2,600 years ago. And they did well planting them in the vine. The perfect exposure, dry and nutrient-poor soils, and the cooling Mediterranean breezes still give rise to some of the most expressive wines of the Mediterranean. The wines of Cassis have made this tiny seafaring village tucked right next to vibrant Marseille, one of the references for white wine in France and the world.
In the 16th century, Cassis became renowned for white wines, a unique distinction in a region that at that time produced primarily reds. Today, the Cassis AOC remains unique within Provence, with white wines accounting for 67% of production. Rosé, which constitutes about 90% of the output of Provence, accounts for 30% of Cassis, and reds account for only 3%.
Due to its long wine-making history, Cassis was one of the first AOPs in France, established in 1936, when the AOC/AOP system was first implemented.
Book a Tour: Cassis and Luberon Villages
La Route des Crêtes Driving Info
As Deborah says, don’t miss the drive from Cassis to its coastal neighbour to the east, La Ciotat. The D141 – Routes des Crêtes – runs along the cliff tops, joining the two towns. The driving distance is roughly 15 kilometres and should take about 30 minutes. However, the views are stunning, and there are plenty of opportunities for photo-ops along the way. The road passes by Cap Canaille, the highest cliff in France at 364m/ 1290 ft. This road is subject to occasional closure on days with an elevated fire risk or extreme winds. You can verify in advance by calling this official Bouches du Rhône number: +33 (0)8 11 20 13 13.
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