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THE FIRST TESTIMONYS

The oldest records of the occupation of the site where Cassis now sits date back to 500-600 BC. Remnants of a fortified dwelling have been uncovered in the peaks of Baou Redon, whose habitants lived by fishing and hunting and by agricultural means. Links with Massilia (Marseilles), a city founded by the Phoceans indicate that the current site of Cassis could have also been inhabited by the ancient Greeks.

IN ROMAN TIMES

Several archaeological sites suggest that during the Roman era, Cassis was part of "the maritime route of Emperor Antonin " with the port reaching up to Baragnon squre. It had already developed into a small township, established mainly around the beaches of the Arena and Corton whose people lived off fishing, exploiting the coral and from maritime trade with North Africa and the Middle-East.

FROM THE LORD OF BAUX. TO KING RENE

Between the 5th and 10th centuries, barbarian invasions lead to the population taking refuge in the peaks inside the "castrum" a fortified city, which became possession of the Lord of Baux du Provence in 1223.
During the 15th century, Cassis was ceded to the County of Provence, before King René handed the City to the Bishops of Marseilles who exerted their rights until the Revolution of 1789. The City's armoury, which also hold an Episcopal Cross, pays testimony to this time.

EXPANSION

The 18th Century saw Cassis look beyond its fortified ramparts as development started around the port area. After the 'Restauration', new industries began to emerge : cod processing, coral working, the manufacture of components used in the fabrication of olive oil, wine production and the exploitation of the local stone (cement, limestone, building blocks). The 'Stone of Cassis', has been exploited since times of antiquity, and has given world wide fame to this small fishing port. The stones that were used in the construction of all the quays of the large Mediterranean ports come from Cassis, (Alexandria, Algiers, Pirée, Marseilles, Port-Said), as well as the base of the Statue of Liberty in New York.
During the 20th century these industries began to disappear, their place being taken by tourism and an increasingly flourishing wine industry (in 1936 Cassis was one of the first three vineyards to benefit from the label of controlled origin 'l'Appellation d'origine contrôlée, AOC').