Review: Cabriolet Adventure From Marseille to Cassis & La Ciotat

Dreaming of that postcard-perfect French Riviera road trip? You know, the kind where the sun’s shining, the top’s down, and the coastline is just breathtaking? Well, I took just that drive from Marseille to Cassis and onward to La Ciotat in a super cool cabriolet. I am going to tell you what made this one pretty memorable, a few things to keep in your thoughts, too and just how you could make the most of it, alright?

Why Choose a Cabriolet for This Route?

Now, you might ask, “Why a cabriolet?” That’s fair! You totally could drive this route in a regular car, yeah? The real beauty of a cabriolet is, I guess, just how it opens up the whole experience. Can you believe this? I am thinking that with the top down, that fresh Mediterranean air hitting you, and those views just sprawling all around you… well, there really is not much that can compare, I find. The roads between these towns twist and turn, too, so having that open-air feeling just adds to the adventure of the trip, don’t you think? I would say this gives that perfect combination of wind-in-your-hair freedom and, yes, gorgeous scenery.

Marseille: Starting Point of the Adventure

So, where do we get going? Marseille. This city might be gritty in some spots, sure it is. But don’t let that trick you. It is super interesting, absolutely packed with history, and the food? Oh my gosh, yes. Give the Vieux Port (Old Port) a walk first, right? Watch the fishermen and that market bursting with all sorts of life. I tell you what too it’s almost a must that you treat yourself to some bouillabaisse here; this fish stew is a local deal and absolutely wonderful. Next you could head to Notre-Dame de la Garde, this basilica sits high on a hill that overlooks the whole city, too. It is that view, my friend! You get the whole spread from there and you are able to see just what lays ahead on your drive.

Cassis: A Picturesque Coastal Gem

Once you hit the road, Cassis, right, will probably be that first stop. And I think that it is like stepping into a picture postcard, frankly. This village is a gem with super cute harbors, colored buildings, and all these cliffs towering. It is absolutely stunning! I would suggest doing one of those boat tours to see the Calanques, those are like inlets with the super clear turquoise water, that the area is known for, anyway. You can take a dip in the water if you want, there too, I believe! Then grab some seafood in one of those waterfront restaurants and I think that you will sit and enjoy your meal, and of course you will enjoy all those lovely views, so, too, no? Honestly? Perfection, that really is. So too you’re getting the urge to hike, yeah? Well, Cap Canaille provides gorgeous panoramic scenes but is maybe a bit difficult depending on your fitness.

La Ciotat: Shipyards and Seaside Charm

Going ahead on this adventure, right, you would soon find La Ciotat, a town with so much going on! It is super renowned for its shipyards, and yes you totally get a feel for some industrial history as you are poking about. And something that most people just seem to skim over when they’re in the south of France, is that La Ciotat offers this lovely, less touristy atmosphere, if I’m being serious. So what should you do when you find yourself here? Oh so much. Éden Théâtre, it’s claimed to be that oldest cinema in the world, actually, too! It’s a visit that those film geeks really ought to enjoy in a way. But you prefer nature, maybe? You prefer fresh-air type fun? Well Parc du Mugel is not far and that’s pretty great, actually. This offers pretty grand views from the top too.

Insider Tips for the Perfect Drive

Alright, so before you all get driving I do have a few things to suggest here to help you along, I really do. The peak season around here, and I mean around that French Riviera bit of it, comes in those summer months, just keep it in mind. It could be smart to hit the road in that spring or the autumn instead. It can get a bit too crowded, or a bit too toasty if that time of year doesn’t really speak to you in particular, yet I digress. When you set the departure time? A bit before midday maybe. If you hit those key spots earlier, you are avoiding some heavy traffic! As you might know? Well those roads hugging that coastline can get super winding, I guess. So pace your drive accordingly. And so a car charger could be essential if you don’t want to keep trying to look for an outlet.

What to Eat Along the Way

And yeah that brings us neatly on to the grub, too. So you want some top picks here? When you are passing along the coast there will be just a load of super places where you will be getting amazing and I mean amazing French food. Have a peek at what kind of seafood the place sells when you swing on through that village or town to just sample those local flavors in the truest way I figure! One of the top ways to get that ‘Provence’ kind of taste is just using this as your guide when you are picking and choosing the best of this area of France, actually.

Bouillabaisse in Marseille: It’s almost wrong if you’ve visited Marseille but didn’t have this hearty stew, to be honest.
Seafood Platter in Cassis: Treat your eyes and mouth when sampling the seafood! That fishing village has loads and loads on offer I assure you.
Tielle Sétoise in Sète: A nice pie when you need to load up a little and continue travelling after a well-spent visit.
Navettes in Marseille: If you just wanna get a tasty nibble and sample biscuits from that lovely south of France, this would do the job so totally nicely

Where to Stay: Hotels and Charming Hideaways

Need a place to hang your hat and get that recharge so you’re full of beans again? Or just planning to stretch that gorgeous journey out a bit and give each pit-stop the right time in the sun? Sure! If it’s for just one night or more in that charming southeast of France, here is a pick of some top quality stops. And I do really think you could find something for you here.

Hotel Les Roches Rouges (Saint-Raphaël): A well-rated hotel with a fab sea view, that looks straight across that Côte d’Azur coast so totally beautifully. You will get that infinity pool too, actually! That little treat will really add some glamour on your French fancy if you get what I’m saying, right?
La Villa Douce (Le Lavandou): Want just views, peace, that pampering? With their own private beaches here, it could work super well, to be honest, if you would like that. Oh, that spa too! Super duper ideal and dreamy when you just like some well deserved time that makes you feel spoiled right to your very core.
Hotel Le Mandala (Cassis): Can you believe this? How nice if you got to wind down looking over Cap Canaille after getting out on those cliffs so gloriously! Then too? Well with easy routes from there and that fishing hub, you can see all that Cassis sells in just the wink of an eye.
Hôtel & Spa Les Bains de Cassis (Cassis): Just think of the kind of joy to come of a relaxing spot like Cassis. How cool would it be to visit those spots that are oh-so ‘Cassis’, before lazing in luxury, with its amazing range of treats and nice sea spots, for hotel visitors!