Marseille is the second-largest metropolis in France after Paris, the capital of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, and the oldest metropolis within the nation. Situated on the Gulf de Lyon, which is a part of the Mediterranean Sea, Marseille is the right mix of African and French tradition. Often known as the bridge between North Africa and Europe, Marseille is a metropolis that may appeal you with its stunning blue waters and historic previous city. There are such a lot of issues to do in Marseille which you can simply spend a couple of days on this seaside metropolis.
From its dazzling Outdated Port to the legendary Chateau d’If, Marseille this Mediterranean Metropolis shouldn’t be missed when visiting Southern France.
Prime Issues to do in Marseille
Nearly all of the cool issues to do in Marseille are positioned within the Vieux port/Le Panier a part of city. This pure harbor has been used for the final 2400 years and is the right place to start out off your exploration of the town.
1. Outdated Harbour – Le Vieux Port
Marseilles is one in all our favourite cities in France. Le Vieux Port of Marseilles is gorgeous and stuffed with the uncooked vitality that you’d count on from any energetic port metropolis. Surrounded by historic buildings and stuffed with fishing boats and leisure crafts, the port feels as if it has stood nonetheless in time. And it ought to, the Outdated Port of Marseille dates again to 600 BC!
The previous fort stands proudly on the water’s edge and the cathedrals look down over the principle sq.. Apart from the slick bistros and cafes lining the boulevards, it seems to be as if it might be the setting for an previous pirate film. We may think about what it was like again within the seventeenth Century when schooners would come into the Vieux port stuffed with sailors. And it feels prefer it hasn’t modified a bit.
When visiting the Outdated Port, we advise grabbing a spot at an outside patio with a glass of glowing wine accompanied by recent mussels to soak up the vitality and ambiance.
When visiting Marseille, we advise getting a Marseille Metropolis Move – The town move is legitimate for 1-3 days and allows you to hop on hop off to see all the highest vacationer points of interest. With limitless entry to public transportation plus a tour on the Vacationer prepare to Notre-Dame de la Garde or via the Outdated Marseille. You’ll have entry to MUCEM, and Regards de Provence Museum, plus crossing Frioul Island, or If Island with entrance to Chateau D’If. There are many reductions, entry to municipal museums, and a guided metropolis tour. See particulars right here.
2. Le Panier
When visiting Europe, we at all times love getting misplaced within the previous cities of its historic cities. And Marseille isn’t any completely different. Le Panier, The Outdated Quarter dates again to 600 BC when the traditional Greeks settled in these components. It’s the oldest district in Marseille and was initially known as Massala when it was based and ultimately morphed into its French identify at the moment. It has been the middle of immigration to the town making a multicultural flare stuffed with pleasure.
The slim cobblestone streets lined with colourful shuddered home windows make for a beautiful stroll via the day by day lives of the locals and the realm is stuffed with eating places and cafes.
This guided audio tour helps you to expertise Le Panier, the historic district of Marseille the place you’ll go to Vieux Port, Metropolis Corridor, Saint Nicolas, and Saint-Jean forts, and the Notre Dame “Bonne Mère” Basilica.
3. Fort Saint-Jean
Standing entrance and heart of the Outdated City is likely one of the most visited monuments in Marseille. Fort Saint-Jean is linked by a footbridge to MuCEM (Museum of the Civilizations of Europe and the Mediterranean). Fort Saint-Jean can’t be missed with its tall watchtower. Constructed by shipowners within the Center Ages to fortify the realm and defend Marseille from invaders.
3. MuCEM – Museum of Civilizations of Europe and the Mediterranean
It’s becoming that this museum stands in one in all Europe’s oldest cities. In 2013, Marseille was named a European Capital of Tradition and The MuCEM – Musée des civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée was opened as a part of its inauguration. The fashionable construction is a pointy distinction to the historic structure lining the waterfront. Constructed between land and sea, MuCEM, is positioned beside Fort Saint-Jean bringing life to the realm.
Whereas the museum is devoted to the historical past of European civilization and Mediterranean Tradition, it’s the constructing itself that has caught the eye of vacationers. It’s the latest of Marseille’s vacationer points of interest and is shortly changing into the most well-liked factor to do in Marseille.
4. Chateau d’If
Marseille is the setting for this well-known novel, The Rely of Monte Cristo written by Alexander Dumas, however Chateau d’If will not be a fictional location. It is extremely actual and this island jail stands simply off the coast of Marseille within the Mediterranean Sea.
Initially constructed as a fortress, Chateau d’if was later used as a jail for political prisoners. Take the boat over to If Island (included in our CityPass) after which discover the cells of the well-known political prisoners who suffered a dreary destiny with no probability of escape.
Surprisingly, the cells of Chateau d’If have been fairly massive. The upper-ranking prisoners paid for higher cells that have been spacious and even had fireplaces. The poorer prisoners have been condemned to the decrease dungeons which have been insupportable and we weren’t capable of see.
If in case you have learn The Rely of Monte Cristo or are conversant in any of the films, Chateau d’If should be added to your listing. Poor Edmond Dantes was despatched to the jail island of Chateau d’If the place he spent 14 years struggling by the hands of his tormentors earlier than escaping and taking his revenge. Get your copy on Kindle or Paperback right here.
- €10 will get you a seat on the 20-minute ferry trip out to the island. You’ll have to pay one other €5 when you arrive at Chateau d’If to see the websites.
- Or when you’ve got a Metropolis Move, the entry and crossing are included.
4. Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde
Paris isn’t the one metropolis with Notre Dame. Marseille metropolis has its personal Notre Dame, the Notre Dame de la Garde standing excessive on a hilltop conserving watch on its ships. It is a excellent place to move up for views of the town of Marseille and its port. Be sure that to search for, a big Virgin Mary sits atop the bell tower conserving watch over the sailors.
Also called La Bonne Mère, this viewpoint is to not be missed. The steep stroll up 150 meters is price it however in case you don’t wish to stroll, you’ll be able to catch the vacationer prepare as much as see the views and the enormous gilded statue of the Virgin Mary. Arrive early to beat the frenzy of vacationers as it’s Marseille’s most well-known attraction.
- This full-day sightseeing tour features a go to to the basilica Notre Dame de la Garde plus many extra points of interest together with, MuCEM and the Villa Méditerranée, Saint-Victor Abbey, and its 4th-century crypt, and way more.
5. Marseille Cathedral – Cathédrale de la Main
When visiting Europe, we at all times “discover our faith” (nicely, a minimum of we discover an curiosity in seeing its monuments) Cathédrale de la Main is a stupendous monument on the waterfront courting again to the nineteenth century.
Like most of the buildings in Marseille, The Cathedral blends Romanesque and Byzantine types. It’s a large cathedral spanning 141 meters (462 toes). Its dome towers attain a peak of 16 meters (52 toes) This cathedral reminded us of the Duomo in Florence, however with a much more stunning setting.
6. Parc Nationwide des Calanques
A great day journey from Marseille is Calanques Nationwide Park. It’s the solely nationwide park in Europe that’s positioned close to city areas and is each on land and sea. It’s positioned immediately beside Marseilles en path to Cassis.
Calanques Nationwide Park is a big park at 520 sq. km (201 sq. miles) and it most actually seems to be like one thing from the Greek Islands. It was designated a nationwide park in 2012 and has nice climbing trails and areas for kayaking and exploring the limestone cliffs and quiet coves.
Take a ship trip to see the gorgeous coast and hidden fishing villages that line the shore. This Catamaran tour to Calanques Nationwide Park. This 5-hour tour goes alongside the Mediterranean Sea between La Madrague and the city of Cassis, by way of Les Goudes and Callelongue. It’s a great solution to discover the coast.
9. Historical past Museum – Musée d’Histoire de Marseille
With Marseille being the oldest metropolis in France, it’s only becoming to go to the Historical past Museum. The Musée d’Histoire de Marseille homes 4000 displays and interactive points of interest showcasing the 26-century historical past of the town. Entrance to the Historical past Museum is included in your Metropolis Move.
10. Palais Longchamp
Palais Longchamp is a monument that was constructed to have a good time the completion of an extended canal, The Canal de Marseille that provides the town with water from the Durance River. It’s a massive inexperienced house with interconnected parks. It homes the Museum of High quality Arts courting again to 1801 and it is usually residence to the Pure Historical past Museum. Its two wings are linked by a stupendous massive water fountain and waterfall.
11. Abbaye Saint-Victor
In case you haven’t gotten sufficient of the historical past in Marseille, pay a go to to Abbaye Saint-Victor. Not solely will you study concerning the metropolis’s non secular historical past, however it is usually an Abbey with a view. The Basilica and the crypts have stunning views of the Outdated Metropolis.
An effective way to get round Marseille is to take a biking tour. This 3.5-hour tour covers all of the highlights of Marseille whereas taking within the recent sea air. You’ll undergo:
- The Panier Neighborhood (the oldest district of Marseille)
- The Main Cathedral
- The brand new MuCem Museum space
- The Outdated Port (the principle place in Marseille)
- The Pharo (the place you might have a stupendous view of the Outdated Port)
- Malmousque Little Port
- The Vallon des Auffes
- The Kennedy Corniche
- Notre Dame de la Garde (the “bonne mère”)
- The Abbaye of Saint-Victor
12. Vieille Charité
Vieille Charité was as soon as an previous almshouse (a constructing to assist the poor) and is now a museum and cultural heart. It’s a hip space with a Bohemian vibe containing three tiers of artwork galleries, road artwork, and boutiques. It is a excellent place to get a really feel for the native tradition, and to do some buying a the artwork market. There are a lot of bars and cafes and it’s good for folks watching. Plus there are two vital museums within the advanced, the Museum of Artwork of Africa and the Museum of Archaeology.
13. Parc Borély
Marseilles was pretty and anybody going to the south of France ought to make it a cease on their listing. It’s stuffed with historical past, stunning structure, and parks. Parc Borély is taken into account some of the exceptional gardens in France. It was constructed within the seventeenth century and consists of three completely different gardens. An English Backyard, a French backyard, a horse racing monitor linked by a botanical backyard.
The best way to get to Marseille
Marseille is positioned within the south of France and you may fly to the Marseille Provence Airport which is simply 27 km away. There are flights day by day from all cities in Europe. Worldwide flights to Marseille join by way of London, Paris, and Dublin.
The prepare is likely one of the best methods to get to Marseille and there are day by day trains from Paris. Marseille’s foremost station is the Gare de Marseille St Charles.
The primary bus station in Marseille is Gare St Charle (St. Charles bus station) and arrives from throughout Europe.
The place to Keep in Marseille
When touring via Europe, we frequently keep at Ibis or Etap lodges when touring on a Finances. Now that we’re a bit older, we desire to splurge on higher-end lodging, however we nonetheless assume these are two nice resort chains.
Vieux Port – The perfect space to remain in Marseille is the Outdated Port. It’s centrally positioned and simple to see a lot of the high Marseille points of interest. It may be fairly noisy and busy although.
Le Panier – The Outdated City is one other nice possibility within the second arrondissement. Not removed from the Outdated Port, there are a number of selections of lodging. made up of three areas in Marseille and it is a good possibility for a quieter keep than the previous port. Les Grands Carmes, City Corridor, and La Joliette.
Practice Station – It is a good possibility that may be a extra reasonably priced space, however it’s nonetheless simple to get round. We stayed on the Ibis Resort and located it to be fairly nice.
Getting Round Marseille
We had a automobile whereas visiting Marseille, however visitors was busy, so we parked it and principally walked. However as a result of we had a automobile rental so we have been very cell in Marseille and had the liberty to remain outdoors the town whereas touring on a Finances.
In case you don’t wish to stroll, a Marseille Metropolis Move is a good possibility. It helps you to Experience Marseille’s public transport free of charge. Passes might be purchased for twenty-four, 48 or 72 hour and canopy:
- Free entry to Marseille’s museums together with – the Marine Museum, Natual Historical past Museum, High quality Arts Museum, Palais Longchamp, and extra.
- A Experience on the prepare to Notre-Dame de la Garde or le Panier previous city
- Get tastings and reductions in licensed boutiques.