Fact Sheets & Video - France

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside...

"If you've seen Paris but not Cassis, you haven't seen anything yet". A visit to the charming and picture postcard fishing town of Cassis in the south of France reveals that this local saying is justified. Around 22 kilometres outside of the bustling city centre of Marseille, France's oldest and second-largest city famed for its bouillabaisse and imposing Catholic Church, Cassis is the antithesis.

Cassis, which means "blackberry" in French, is a sleepy seaside town at the foot of the majestic red-rock Cap Canaille. From the port of Cassis visitors can take boat rides to the vertiginous Calanques (or Massif des Calanques), which run the entire length of the coast between Marseille and Cassis, and beyond. This range extends for 20 km in length and 4 km in width, and is regarded as one of the best-known examples of this type of limestone rock formation. The most famous calanque is Calanque d'en Vau which can be accessed by boat ride.

Located in the Massif des Calanques, an environmentally friendly youth hostel profits an exceptional environment. The house was built in 1946 and the owner Jean Pierre has been living there for 35 years. The "green" theme includes the use of rainwater cisterns, solar energy and wind to produce the electricity, while bathing replaces the use of showers.

In complete contrast, the city of Marseille is located on the Mediterranean Sea and boasts the country's largest commercial port. The Vieux Port and Le Panier brim with maritime activity. This coastal city is also world-renowned for its famous bouillabaisse - a hearty fish soup, which can particularly be enjoyed at Le Miramar.

Dominating the city is the basilica, the Notre-Dame de la Garde. This ornate Neo-Byzantine church sits atop the signal hill of La Garde, the highest natural point in Marseille - a 162 metre limestone outcrop on the south side of the Vieux Port. The basilica is surmounted by a 60 metre belfry topped with a huge statue of the Virgin and Child, visible across much of the city and from miles out at sea. The basilica took five years to build and required 170,000 tons of material, including 23 shiploads of marble and porphyry from Italy.

Apparently old fishermen used to have their boats blessed in this church and there are still many boat models hanging inside of it. Even The Marseilles soccer team received protection for their Olympic competition, and returned its winning pennant to permanently hang inside the church.

Further Information:

Cassis, FRANCE

Air China fly return to Paris from

$1987 ex Melbourne

$2005 ex Sydney

$2244 ex Perth

For low season departures

(02) 9232-7277

Prices correct at 16/5/08. Prices include surcharges, fees & taxes, Conditions apply.

Auberge de Jeunesse - La Fontasse

Open March 15 to December 31.

Closed 6 Jan - 14 March

Children from the age of 7 are accepted.

Cost: $19 per person, per night.

A FUAJ card is compulsory but can be purchased in situ

T: +33 (0)4. 42.01.02.72

www.fuaj.org

Vroom Vroom Vroom

For car hire in France book online with Vroom Vroom Vroom.

Car hire from

$98 a day ex Marseilles

www.vroomvroomvroom.com

Comite Departemental du Tourisme des Bouches-du-Rhone

For further information on Provence contact:

T: +33 (0)4-91-13-84-13

www.visitprovence.com