One of the few attractive beach resorts west of the Riviera, life in Cassis revolves around its picturesque small harbour sunk at the foot of towering limestone cliffs. The busy port area is edged by a colourful assortment of bars, shellfish and fish restaurants, such as no-frills Le Flibustier, and rather more chic Chez Gilbert – good places to watch staggering technicolor sunsets. Beaches stretch away to the east along Promenade des Lombards, or try Plage de Bestouan to the west. Boat trips offer a sardine’s-eye view of Les Calanques, dramatic deep-water inlets slashed into the cliffs; and you can drive the Route des Crêtes, which starts 1.5 km W of town via the D559, and follows the cliff tops around to La Ciotat.