Cassis Property Insight

Cassis is a famous French town located in the Bouches du Rhone department (Provence Alpes Cote d’Azur region). Famous for its coves and cliffs, it is also renowned for its white and rosé wines. It besides organizes the wine celebration each year in September. Cassis is 20km from the east of Marseille. The Cap Canaille, situated between Cassis and La Ciotat, is one of the tallest maritime cliffs in Europe (399m). With its 11km of beaches, the town is a very touristy place.

Overview

Cassis is a wonderful holiday resort built at the foot of an impressive cliff, the Cap Canaille. It is attractive thanks to its harbour and quays bordered with bars and restaurants. Hang out in the old charming quarters where you can see the beautiful 17th century town hall. In front of the latter, the locals are used to playing petanque during summer.

This small fishing harbour, nestled between two natural sites (Massif des Calanque and Cap Canaille), offers its visitors a mix of Provence and Mediterranean. Considered by climbing lovers as an inevitable site, the calanques offer any kind of walk: 160km of marked paths are a great place for sport or soft walks. You can also discover them by boat, an unforgettable trip!

Cassis Immobilier & Property Market Trends

In 2009, property prices in Cassis are €5,845/ sq m. The national average being €3,197/ sq m, we can easily deduce that prices in the town are very high. This may be explained by its reputation and amazing landscapes. Even if properties in the commune are expensive, Cassis has so much to offer: relaxed lifestyle, southern climate, wonderful scenery, Provencal street markets and so on. This is a good location if you are looking for a sunny retirement or a French way of living. It may also be an interesting area for a let (36.6% of tenants). If you can not afford to buy a property in the town centre, prices may be lower in the surrounding villages, less renowned and thus maybe more accessible in terms of prices.

To get updated info about the property prices in Bouches du Rhone, please browse our French Property Market Reports published in the News Section every month.

4 Reasons to Buy a Property in Cassis

• Natural sites: in Cassis, nature is the king. It is a preserved and couloured area surrounding the town: in the north, green vineyards, in the south indigo sea, in the east, ochre Cap Canailles and in the west white cliffs and turquoise Calanques. The Cap Canaille boasts the title of being Europe’s tallest cliffs. The area is part of the French heritage. The Calanques de Cassis connect the latter to Marseille. They are limestone cliffs diving in the Mediterranean Sea. This site is also part of the French heritage. This magic and charming zone is famous worldwide and is an idyll for deep-sea diving, climbing and wildlife discovery.

• Tourism – sights: Cassis is a very touristy location offering great views over the sea and cliffs. Lifestyle is very relaxed: this may by a great town if you want to retire in a typical French southern town. The commune is rather calm during the year but very dynamic in summer, due to the numerous holidaymakers visiting the area. Any type of activity will fill your days: diving, climbing, hiking, petanque, walking and so on!

• Climate and weather: Cassis benefits from the southern Mediterranean climate i.e. hot and dry summers and mild and humid winters. This is probably one of the reasons of being a tourist attraction. Such climate makes the town a pleasant place either to settle in or to spend holidays. Sunny days, beautiful views, French way of living, everything is gathered to have great moments in Cassis!

• Culture and Historical heritage: Cassis went through various periods of the history as it is an very old city. During the roman period, Cassis' harbor used to play a role in the mediterranean sea exchanges. Later in the History, Cassis population had to flee from the barbarian invasions and go into the castrum, a town with fortications. Nowadays, there are several constructions that are still here, and that testify of the tumultuous past of that city.

Property Styles and Architecture in Cassis

• Villas: in Cassis, they are sumptuous and luxury properties offering all the comfort needed, and even more! They come with a beautiful swimming-pool, a terrace, courtyard and huge land planted with trees. Due to the number of windows, villas are very luminous. The luminosity is emphasized by the white painted walls inside the house. Some of them offer an amazing view over the sea. You will really feel on holiday there!

• Apartments: they are luxury properties often located in the town centre. They often have a terrace and offer a great view over the sea. The inside is generally modern and luminous. Walls are also painted in white. When built in residences, they may hold a park planted with trees. They are ideal for a buy-to-let or a second home.

Click here for more info about the Architecture in Provence Alpes Cote d’Azur.