Marseille is France's largest port, with several ferries and cruises coming in and out each year. You will need to get a taxi or book a private vehicle to explore the sights in the city's interiors. Architecture is at the crux of your trip to Marseille. Aix, Avignon, Arles, Camargue, and Cassis will be the highlights of your tour. Explore the Old Port and Old Town if you have half a day to spare.
There is a tendency to overlook Marseille in favor of its more glamorous neighbors like Nice, Cannes, and St. Tropez. Marseille, however, is an exciting and vibrant city. Visiting this place is a great way to experience African and French cultures mixed. It's a lot of fun and doesn't take itself too seriously. We have outlined our top reasons for you to go.
There is a lot of growth happening in Marseille. The city's old, unloved, and disused spaces are being reclaimed just like those of other towns undergoing regeneration. It is now a cutting-edge cultural space in an old tobacco factory next to the city's station (St. Charles). In addition to skating parks, playgrounds, startup offices, a fantastic bookstore, and an excellent terrace bar and restaurant, it also has a skateboarding park. Every weekend, there's something cultural going on. Alternatively, hang out in Cours Julien, an edgy neighborhood. This area is known for having some of the city's best bars, clubs, and restaurants.
Mediterranean food is well known on the Riviera, and Marseille offers a wide selection. A fantastic meal with a spectacular harbor view can be found in the Old Port (le Vieux Port). One of the many great restaurants around the town serves the local delicacy Bouillabaisse.
The shopping in Marseille is excellent. A must-see destination at the moment is Terrasses du Port. Besides high street stores, high-end fashion stores are also in the three-story mall. Restaurants and spectacular views can be found on the roof. Those who do not like malls can find the same types of shops in the Old Port area and rue Saint-Ferréol. Wander the winding streets of Cours Julien for an alternative experience and more independent shops.
There's no better place to immerse yourself in something a bit different than Marseille, a melting pot of European and African culture. Near the Old Port and Noailles areas, there are many couscous restaurants with great prices. Even cheaper food can be found at the grill shacks by the St. Charles station. There's a lot of food from virtually every country to be found in the streets to the east of the Cours Julien so that you can try an African sit-down dinner you may not have thought otherwise.
Known as the French Riviera's gateway, Marseille is one of the most important cities in the region. Embark on a boat tour to the Parc National des Calanques and admire the Notre Dame de la Garde. In and around this French coastal city, we've compiled a list of the best attractions.
Founded 2,600 years ago, Marseille's massive rectangular port encompasses a whole district rather than a single location. A broad promenade surrounds three sides of quays, most of which are former warehouses built in the 18th century. The ground floor of almost everyone has a cafe, fish restaurant, or bar, so you can enjoy a pastis while watching life unfold in this enchanting city. Nearly all of the boats in the old port are for pleasure, as an industry has moved to the modern docks to the north. Quai des Belges still has a fish market where the latest catch is brought ashore every morning for sale.
No Marseille tour would be complete without a visit to Notre Dame de la Garde, one of the city's most important symbols that offer some of its most breathtaking views. Multicolored mosaics and stone mosaics decorate the Roman-Byzantine basilica. The bell tower is topped with a giant statue of the Virgin Mary.
It is a must for anyone visiting Marseille, especially in the summer, to take a relaxing boat trip to the picturesque Calanques - a stretch of coast between Marseille and Cassis. The ParcNational des Calanques offers sweeping views and beautiful beaches among its highlights. Book a sailing holiday with Dream Yacht Charter or rent a boat for the day with SamBoat (skipper included).
Suppose it is also served by the same shuttles that go to Ratonneau. The Castle of If can be found there. The fort was built by King Francois the First in the 16th century to defend the coast against invasions and monitor the city, which had just been incorporated into the Kingdom of France. It is designed like a real fortress, with towers, ramparts, and moats. There are guided tours and self-guided tours available to visit the Chateau d'If. There will always be an entry fee in the maritime shuttle price. Your tickets can be picked up at the ticket counter or booked online in advance.
A former almshouse turned museum and cultural center, VieilleCharité is now a museum and cultural center for the poor. This hip area features three tiers of boutiques, street art, and art galleries with a bohemian vibe. In addition to getting a sense of the local culture, this is an excellent place for shopping at the art market. People watching is perfect here because there are many bars and cafes. As well as two important museums, the Museum of Art of Africa and the Museum of Archaeology, the complex has several other attractions.
When tourists return home from May to August, Marseille is at its best from September to November, when the beaches, attractions, and hotels are empty.
