Cassis

This pleasant and cosy fishing village has been around over 2000 years nestled in a cove east of Marseilles.  It has evolved over time to add vineyards, with a specialty in white wines and aqua-tourism to scuba dive or ride a boat to view the calanques (French fjords if you will) which flank the village.

There's an excellent review of Cassis here:

http://www.beyond.fr/villages/cassis.html

Our apartment was just a few minutes walk east of the town, with its own private pool and cove.

If I had to rank the boys top 5 favorite activities thus far, it would be:

5. Throwing rocks (preferably into water)
4. Climbing on anything remotely resembling a playground
3. DOUBLE DECKER BUS
2. Consuming popsicles/pastries
1. Chasing pigeons

This beach, while bereft of pigeons and popsicles, did have plenty of rocks, so we had to check it out.

The views were pretty good as we walked down the hill to the water.

The kids suffered through a group picture, patiently awaiting the chance to hurl stones into a large body of water.

Shortly after that, they arrived on a quiet beach filled with rocks! Fun was had by all.

Such strenuous effort worked up an appetite, so now was time to go into town for FRENCH PASTRIES!

We found a tiny bakery and picked out a tempting assortment of pastries.  Our self control was phenomenal as we made it to the waterfront before tearing open the bags and  consuming their delectable contents.

As the boys sat back, sated on rock throwing and pastries, their eyes wandered to the small town square about 50 feet away.  Their eyes widened.  A large group of pigeons were milling about.

This could be one of their best days EVER.

They sprinted off and promptly cleared the square.

We joined them and walked about the small waterfront and out towards the beach and quay.  Despite the rising winds, it was picturesque in the middle of the marina

and out on the quay looking back at the waterfront.

Between the rock throwing, pigeon chasing, and walking, the children were once again famished.  We went to a new bakery which was more crowded than the first.  Lanna and I waited outside.  She longingly reached for the cookies.

And then suddenly a small boy was for sale in the bakery!  He looked delicious (although a touch bony) so we took him home.

The second round of pastries vanished as quickly as the first.

The bracing sea air and three pounds of butter we had already consumed in the pastries only spurred our appetite further.  We picked up some fruit, cheese, and quiches (along with the baguettes) and went back to the apartment for lunch. 

We had hoped to take a boat ride to see the calanques but the wind had become intense beyond Cassis and no boats were going out.

Given the private beach was sheltered and so close, we walked down there together so the boys could work out their biceps some more. Alisa had been working in the morning and missed the beauty of our private cove.

Alisa and I both went for a quick swim which was invigorating.

While I was swimming, Alisa and Lanna took a few selfies.

Alisa enjoyed her swim.

Back on the beach we took a family selfie with our selfie stick (my arm).  Sammy unleashed the turtle face.

As quickly as it came, the turtle face vanished.

We dried off and made our way back to the apartment, watching the sun set as we walked.

Cassis provided us all a wonderful day full of beauty.  The boys managed to hit three of their top five activities which left them happy and exhausted.

We would be sorry to leave such an idyllic town but will always fondly remember Cassis.