Calanques by boat
Boat trips to the calanques leave from the port next to the beach.
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Plage de la Grande Mer
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One of 178 Things to Do in France
In short
Right beside the harbour, the Grande Mer is the main town beach of Cassis, with views of Cap Canaille and calanque boats leaving a few steps away. Access is free at all hours, and lifeguards cover 9 AM to 7 PM daily from mid-June to mid-September, plus some weekends either side. Two to three hours fits a swim between boat trips.
Plage de la Grande Mer is the main beach of Cassis, a small port town east of Marseille in the Bouches-du-Rhône. It sits beside the harbour at the foot of the old town, faces the cliffs of Cap Canaille, and suits visitors who want a swim between a calanque boat trip and lunch on the quay. It holds the Blue Flag.
Pebbles, a steep drop and hire on the beach
The beach is a mix of pebbles, gravel and coarse sand, and the seabed drops fairly quickly, so water shoes are useful and children should stay within reach. Toilets, lockers, beach game hire, pedal boats, kayaks and windsurf boards are available, and restaurants line the front. Animals are not allowed on the beach.
Cap Canaille, the Route des Crêtes and the calanques
Across the bay rises Cap Canaille, a sea cliff 394 metres high, often described as the highest in France. The Route des Crêtes, about 3 km away, runs along its top toward La Ciotat and looks back over the town and the beach. To the west lie the calanques, narrow limestone inlets protected within the Calanques National Park; Port-Miou, the nearest, is about 1.5 km away. Boats for the calanques leave from the harbour, about 200 m from the beach; compare operators at the port and check sea conditions on the day.
Cassis white wine, an appellation since 1936
Cassis is known for its white wines. The decree creating the Cassis appellation was issued on 15 May 1936, making it one of the first three French vineyards to receive the appellation d'origine contrôlée. Estates around the town welcome visitors for tastings.
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Key information
🏖️Beach: Pebbles and coarse sand beside the harbour
⛰️View: Cap Canaille, 394 m sea cliff
🛟Lifeguards: May – September
🎟️Entry: Free
💰Currency: Euro (€ EUR)
🕕Time Zone: CET (UTC+1) · CEST (UTC+2) in summer
Explore the area
Cassis port (calanque boats) 0.2 km
Plage du Bestouan 0.6 km
Calanque de Port-Miou 1.5 km
Route des Crêtes 3 km
✦
Plan your visit to Plage de la Grande Mer
Dates, opening hours and how to get there are below. Booking ahead secures your preferred day.
Highlights Include:
Beach
- Central location by the port
- Views of Cap Canaille
- Water deepens quickly
Nearby
- Boat trips to the calanques
- Cassis wine estates
- Old town cafés
What They Offer
Facilities
Lifeguard post in season Accessibility for reduced mobility on request to lifeguards
Visit duration
2–3 hours
Timed entry required No
Route des Crêtes
Drive the cliff road above Cap Canaille for views over the town.
Bestouan beach
A smaller beach west of the port, cooled by a karstic spring.
Accessibility
Accessible for people with reduced mobility on request to the lifeguards. Visitors with reduced mobility can get help to reach the water by asking the lifeguards.
Age limits
None
What to pack
Swimwear, sun cream
What to wear
Water shoes for the pebbles
Not allowed
Swimming outside supervised zones when flags say so
Amenities
Lifeguard post, cafés and restaurants nearby
Tips for visiting Plage de la Grande Mer
- Wear water shoes for the pebble shore.
- Use the park and ride shuttles in summer.
- Book a calanques boat trip at the port beside the beach.
- Try the Bestouan beach if the Grande Mer is crowded.
- Drive the Route des Crêtes for views over the bay.
Driving
Cassis is about 30 minutes by road from Marseille. The nearest car park is the paid Mimosas, about five minutes' walk; town parking is limited in summer, so use the park-and-ride shuttles.
Public transportation
Cassis station is outside the centre, with buses linking it to the port.
Address
The Grande Mer is the main beach of Cassis, beside the harbour, east of Marseille.
Opening Hours
- MondayOpen 24 hours
- TuesdayOpen 24 hours
- WednesdayOpen 24 hours
- ThursdayOpen 24 hours
- FridayOpen 24 hours
- SaturdayOpen 24 hours
- SundayOpen 24 hours
Last entry: None (open access)
Open all year.
Supervised 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM: weekends and holidays from mid-May to mid-June, daily from mid-June to mid-September, then weekends to the end of September.
Special events
No special events on record for Plage de la Grande Mer.
Best times to visit
Early morning in summer.
Best days to visit
Weekdays; in July and August the smaller Bestouan beach, about 600 m west, is quieter.
Best months to visit
May, June and September.
Admission tickets
Entry is free.
Plage de la Grande Mer: free entry
Cassis' main beach, by the harbour.
- Free access to the beach
Admission
Free entry: no ticket or booking is needed.
Visitor policy
Cancellation and prepayment
No booking is needed; access is free.
Children and admission
Water deepens quickly; keep children within reach.
Groups
No booking needed.
Pets
Check the town's seasonal rules for dogs.
Photography
Personal photography is welcome. Drone flights must follow national drone rules and local restrictions.
Bags
No restrictions.
Smoking
Do not leave cigarette ends on the beach.
Accepted payment
Entry is free.
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Travelers are asking
Yes, lifeguards supervise the beach from May to September.
From the port right next to the beach.
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Where to stay near Plage de la Grande Mer
Hotels closest to Plage de la Grande Mer, nearest first, so you spend less time on the road and more time there.
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InterContinental Marseille - Hotel Dieu5-star hotel
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from$245.00/ night
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- Swimming pool
- Parking
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What to know about Cassis' main beach.
General
Beside the harbour in the centre of Cassis, Bouches-du-Rhône, east of Marseille, between the Calanques National Park and Cap Canaille.
It is mostly pebbles and gravel with some coarse sand, and the seabed slopes quickly. Water shoes help.
Yes. You pay only for parking, hire and food.
Yes. Calanque boat trips leave from the harbour about 200 m from the beach.
394 metres above the sea, often described as the highest sea cliff in France.
No. Animals are not accepted on the beach.
At the paid Mimosas car park, about five minutes' walk away.
Yes. The Bestouan beach, about 600 m west, is smaller and calmer.
Yes, entry to Plage de la Grande Mer is free.
Timing & weather
9:00 to 19:00 on weekends from mid-May to mid-June, daily from mid-June to mid-September, then weekends until the end of September.
Plage de la Grande Mer is open Monday–Sunday: Open 24 hours.
Most visitors spend 2–3 hours at Plage de la Grande Mer.
The best months to visit Plage de la Grande Mer are May, June and September. The best days and times of day are covered under When to visit on this page.
Families & accessibility
Yes, on request to the lifeguards, who help visitors reach the water.
Getting there
You can reach Plage de la Grande Mer by public transport or by car. Both routes are described under How to get there on this page.