Picnics en Provence: Cap Canaille
On the cliffs high above beautiful Cassis, with its sea inlets and bays, lies one of the most spectacular spots in all of Provence: Cap Canaille. Towering nearly 400 meters above the sea, this is one of the highest maritime cliffs in France, and in Europe more broadly. The view from here is commanding - stretching from the terracotta rooftops of Cassis to the national park of the Calanques - limestone cliffs over turquoise waters.
What better way to savor it than with a picnic?
There is something about laying out a spread in nature that heightens the senses. The scent of rosemary and thyme - herbs that grow abundantly in the wilds of Provence - wafts through the evening air. The scent of pine and sea salt blends to create a perfect harmony.
Here, a tablecloth, laid carefully over the rugged earth, becomes more than just fabric. It's a gesture. Romantic or intimate. Caring - an invitation to pause. To indulge in the simplest of luxuries. Good food, beautiful views and good company.
We arrived at the Route des Crêtes, which is the serpentine coastal road between Cassis and La Ciotat. The road itself is a dream. Travel it top down, preferably; the sea will greet you as an endless expanse on the horizon. Cliffs plunge into a turquoise and deep blue sea. The cliffs that make up Cap Canaille are a mix of sandstone and limestone, rich in ochre - layers that form a geological mosaic.
FIELD NOTES: What we Brought
For this golden-hour picnic, we kept it light and joyful - an apéro-style spread easy to carry and quick to lay out. We hiked a bit off the path to find a spot that was all our own.
In our basket:
- Chilled bottle of champagne
- Just-picked cherries from our neighbor's tree that morning
- Roasted almonds and salted crackers for nibbling
- Watermelon slices
- A little bouquet of garden roses scattered on the cloth - because beauty belongs everywhere
- Beautiful Everyday Linen Napkins in Robin Egg Blue
- St. Tropez Red Stripe square tablecloth (coming Thursday!)
Simple, seasonal and effortless to share. Perfect for a sunset toast.
Cap Canaille is perhaps the most beautiful picnic spot in Provence. A picnic here has inspired me to create a new series - Picnics en Provence. I hope to share not just perfect spots for an al fresco moment, all of which will be beautiful, but also the feeling of it all. The way nature can become a backdrop to a simple spread, and how with just a bit of beautiful linen and a basket of local fare, you can create something unforgettable.