If you’d like to get away from the Cassis beaches for a while and enjoy a breathtaking view of Cap Canaille, we recommend a visit to Plage de l’Arène! Set below the village, it is very beautiful and has a wild side that really appealed to us.
Here are some useful tips for planning your visit to the Plage de l’Arène in Cassis.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Is La Plage de l’Arène worth it?
Yes, it’s a beautiful beach and well worth a visit! Its transparent water and view of Cap Canaille are definitely worth the detour!
Bordered by trees on the land side and rocks on the sea side, its wild aspect appealed to us.
This is one of the most beautiful beaches in Cassis!
And one of the city’s main attractions!
Type of beach
Sand or no sand?
The soil of Plage de l’Arène is composed of pebbles. And there are rocks in the water too. You won’t find any sand. When entering the water, be careful not to slip. We recommend you wear water shoes.
Swimming conditions and supervision
- Pebbles on the beach and rocks in the water can make it difficult to get around and less pleasant to swim.
- However, the beach is a great place for snorkeling. Be careful not to stray too far from the shore, as small boats sometimes dock in the bay.
- The beach is not supervised.
Installations
We didn’t see any showers, litter garbage cans or beachside toilets.
La Plage de l’Arène, Cassis: how to get there
Where is Plage de l’Arène?
The beach is located at 750 Avenue du Revestel, Cassis.
- From the Port of Cassis, it’s about a 20-minute walk.
- The beach is located to the east of Cassis.
Access by car and parking
To get to Plage de l’Arène, you have two options from downtown.
- You can head for Cap Canaille. After passing the Cassis stadium, continue for around 300 meters, then turn right into the cul-de-sac after the vineyard. Please note that the last 50 metres are a no-entry zone for cars. You can park in the pay parking lot on the left.
- The other option is to take the Route des Crêtes, which provides access to a small free parking lot with around 20 spaces.
OUR TPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR IN Provence
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Access from Cassis
To reach the beach on foot from the center of Cassis, you’ll have to walk part of the way along a narrow road with no sidewalk. It’s not very dangerous, but if you have small children, we advise you to reach the beach by car.
Once you’ve arrived, take the stairs down to the beach. It’s below the road and the houses.
So you’ll have to climb back up the slope to get back to town.
Special features
Dog
Dogs are not allowed on the beach.
Reduced mobility access
There are no facilities for disabled access.
With children
The beach is not ideal for a visit with children: the pebbles increase the risk of falling and make the beach neither comfortable nor suitable for building sandcastles. What’s more, the staircase can be tricky for small children or strollers.
These factors do not seem to us to offer the best conditions for a family visit to Plage de l’Arène.
Naturism
It is not possible to practice naturism on this beach.
Eating out
There’s no restaurant right next to the beach.
But you’re close to the city center, where you’ll find a wide choice of restaurants. See our list of the best restaurants in Cassis (coming soon).
Hotels
Cassis is an ideal place to spend the night. Located close to Marseille and Aix-en-Provence, it’s easy to get around Provence and discover all the jewels of the Côte-d’Azur.
Here are our recommendations for staying in this charming village:
WHERE TO STAY IN Cassis
Option 1 : Around Bestouan beach
More peace and quiet between the calanques and the city
- Hotel Les Roches Blanches – prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Le Jardin d’Emile – prices, pictures and availability
Option 2: Downtown
Close to restaurants and activities
- Hotel HPC – prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Eden – prices, pictures and availability
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
