Musée de Cassis

Cassis is a Provençal fishing port at the foot of the highest sea cliffs in France, and its museum is a modest, local institution that helps to explain the place. Visitors usually come for the harbour, the cliffs and the Calanques, but a short stop at the museum puts the town in context, with its history, its art and its traditions, and it is a pleasant change of pace from the beach. The museum is in the centre of the village, a short walk from the port, in an old building that was formerly a presbytery, and entry for individuals is free.

The collections cover several subjects. Archaeology is one of them: the coast around Cassis has been settled since prehistory, and the area was inhabited by Celtic and Ligurian peoples before the Greeks of Massalia and then the Romans arrived, and the museum displays pottery, amphorae and other objects found in the region, including items recovered from the sea, as the waters off Cassis hold wrecks and cargoes of ancient ships. Another area is devoted to the traditions of the village, with objects relating to fishing, wine growing, costumes and daily life in a Provençal community, and documents that describe the history of the town and its role as a port for the export of wine and stone, since the quarries of Cassis supplied building stone used in Marseille and as far away as Alexandria, according to local tradition.

Cassis is also an important place in the history of modern art. In the early twentieth century, the clear light and bold colours of the Mediterranean coast attracted painters of the Post-Impressionist and Fauvist circles, among them Paul Signac and Raoul Dufy, who worked around the harbour and the cliffs. The museum shows paintings by artists connected with the town, and the view of the harbour from the quay still echoes their canvases. Temporary exhibitions explore themes in more depth.

The building is old, and it lacks a lift, so access for visitors with reduced mobility may be limited. Opening is typically from Wednesday to Saturday, in the morning and the afternoon, and the museum is closed on Sundays and public holidays, so check the times before going. Groups can arrange guided visits in advance.

After the museum, the town has much to offer. The harbour, with its colourful boats, restaurants and the Plage de la Grande Mer, is only a few minutes away. The market, held on certain mornings, fills the square with stalls of produce and crafts. The village is surrounded by vineyards that produce the Cassis white wine, one of the oldest appellations in Provence. Boat trips go to the Calanques, and walking trails lead along the cliffs, though access in summer may be limited because of the risk of fire. The Cap Canaille and its Route des Crêtes offer spectacular views. The museum suits those interested in local history and art and families seeking a rainy-day activity.