Marseille

With its sporting fervour, artistic creativity and unspoilt nature, Marseille is a resolutely Mediterranean city. From the authentic Panier district to the vibrant Old Port and the Docks, whose wasteland is home to the Mucem and the replica of the Cosquer cave, France's second-largest city, gateway to Provence, has no shortage of cultural attractions. To escape the urban frenzy, the Parc national des Calanques, Europe's first peri-urban park, is a remarkable refuge of biodiversity to be explored out of season.

Highlights of your stay in Marseille

With over 26 centuries of history behind it, the city of Marseille has no shortage of cultural heritage or natural areas to explore. Take a closer look at our selection of must-sees for your next stay in Marseille, whether for a weekend or a holiday in Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur.

The city

Although Marseille is the 2nd largest city in France in terms of population, it is also one of the oldest cities in France, having been founded in the 6th century BC. What's more, it has always been a major migratory and commercial crossroads. Hence its incredible architectural and cultural heritage, which adds to its charm. So where should you start? Follow the guide.

Its emblematic districts
 

• The Vieux-Port: located below the famous avenue de la Canebière and just a few minutes' walk from Saint-Charles station, the Vieux-Port district is the heart of Marseille, where all the gatherings and fireworks take place... From morning until nightfall, the bustle of this district never lets up, although as soon as you move away from the Ombrière and the pier, you can enjoy a peaceful stroll. Don't miss: attending the morning fish auction after the fishermen have returned; taking a stroll along the quays; marvelling at the historic buildings; taking advantage of the many cafés and restaurants on the harbour terraces.
   
• The Panier district: from the Old Port, a series of steps is all it takes to reach this historic district of Marseille. It's a legendary district (the inspiration for the Mistral district in the TV series Plus Belle la Vie), where you can stroll and enjoy the picturesque charm of its narrow streets and village atmosphere, as well as its street-art walls, small galleries and unusual designer and craft shops. It's a popular and colourful district, where you can also enjoy a meal in one of the small bistros, which usually serve simple dishes made from tasty local produce. Many cultural sites are well worth a visit: La Vieille Charité, la Maison Diamantée, l'église des Accoules... but also some very pleasant squares, such as Place des Moulins or Place de Lenche, with its many brasserie terraces offering a breathtaking view of the Notre Dame de la Garde basilica.
   
• The Vallon des Auffes: do you fancy getting away from the historic centre for a swim on the Plage des Catalans, or simply for a ride along the Corniche Kennedy? Don't hesitate to hop on a bike and take your journey as far as the Anse des Auffes. There, sheltered by cliffs, you'll have the impression of arriving in an authentic fishing village, as if frozen in the time of Marcel Pagnol. You'll go there for its timeless charm and to enjoy a bouillabaisse.
   
• The Cours Julien: to immerse yourself in the bohemian art of living in Marseille, you need to get away from the Old Port and head a few streets east towards the 6th arrondissement. Cours Julien and the surrounding area is a district dedicated to street art, with a real identity. There are also a number of markets with a friendly atmosphere, promoting local production and creativity.

Its monuments

When you're wandering around Marseille, there are plenty of sites to catch your eye. Here are our 7 must-see cultural sights. And there's something for everyone.

• Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde: this basilica needs no introduction, as it is Marseille's most iconic monument. In addition to its unmistakable silhouette and the luxury of its materials, it is its incredible location at an altitude of 150 metres and its immense golden statue of Mary that give it its status as the symbol of Marseille. People come here on pilgrimage, to marvel at its history and architecture, and of course to enjoy the incredible panoramic view of the city from the Good Mother.
   
• The Mucem: with its ultra-contemporary architecture by Rudy Ricciotti and its unique location at the entrance to the port, it too has become an icon of this southern belle in its own way. Visitors to the Marseille museum come for a variety of reasons: its permanent collection and temporary exhibitions dedicated to the civilisations of the Mediterranean, but also for its incredible lacework architecture and its walkways offering unparalleled views of the Old Port and the Palais du Pharo. You can also take the opportunity to visit Fort Saint Jean, the monument to which it is linked, a former military site that played a major role in Marseille's history.
   
• The Stade Orange Vélodrome: another of the city's landmarks, the Stade-Vélodrome offers fans attending its matches a rare experience: the chance to vibrate in unison with an entire city, proud of its club and its history.
   
• La Major Cathedral: with its atypical architecture, half-Romanesque and half-Byzantine, and its exceptional dimensions, this religious building is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable in Marseille.
• What really catches your eye are the domes, the striped facades and the impressive arcades.
   
• The Grotte Cosquer replica: discovered by Henri Cosquer in 1985, an underwater cave near Cap de Morgiou has turned out to be a major archaeological and prehistoric site. An incredible museum (37 metres under the sea) containing over 500 works of cave art. To immortalise this cave, which is threatened by rising sea levels, and give everyone a chance to discover its treasures, it is being meticulously reconstructed at the Villa Méditerranée.
• The Palais Longchamp and its park: artistically framed by two museums (Musée des Beaux-Arts and Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle) served by a colonnade, this building is none other than a water tower. On the street side, the site boasts an impressive fountain, but behind its façade is a garden that is much appreciated by local residents.
• La Cité radieuse - Le Corbusier: heading further south-east, this UNESCO-listed architectural utopia is not to be missed. More than 70 years after its construction, this astonishing work of art remains highly avant-garde and continues to raise questions about the future of a city of well-being.

Sea and mountains

While the city of Marseille is not lacking in charm, its natural surroundings are a true marvel of beauty and biodiversity. It's absolutely worth contemplating and preserving.

Beaches and coves

What makes Marseille so incredible is its proximity to the sea. It boasts 21 beaches. What are the places to visit in Marseille?

• The famous Prado beach: made up of a succession of small beaches, this beach offers a vast expanse of fine sand, but is also surrounded by almost thirty hectares of green spaces. It's the ideal place to enjoy the pleasures of the seaside while taking advantage of the many leisure activities on offer.
   
• The Corbières - L'Estaque beaches: located in the northern districts of Marseille, these three beaches offer beautiful panoramic views and are ideal for families. Their advantages include easy access, shaded areas, a gentle slope down to the sea, fine sand and pebbles.
• Other plus points include supervised swimming and a range of facilities and services to ensure you have a pleasant day out.
   
• Plage des Catalans: with its fine sand, facilities (lifeguard, toilets) and location close to the Vieux Port and Marseille city centre, this is a popular and lively beach.
   
• Plage du Prophète: an iconic beach in Marseilles, this is a favourite with locals and tourists alike, with shallow water perfect for children, a free beach volleyball court, a first-aid post and practical facilities. It's a great place to enjoy an aperitif with friends or a picnic at the end of the day.
• Or take advantage of the nearby restaurants.

And there are plenty of other picturesque beaches to explore: Malmousque with its little harbour, Bain des Dames and its little cottages...

The Calanques National Park

Situated between Marseille and Cassis, the Calanques massif offers both superb coves with crystal-clear waters and heavenly landscapes (which have to be earned, as they are accessible after more or less walking time) and hiking trails enabling you to discover a magnificent biodiversity that needs to be preserved.

Some of the most spectacular are the Calanque d'En Vau and the Calanque de Sormiou, which should be explored out of season to avoid the influx of tourists.

For diving enthusiasts: the Morgiou or Mounine coves.

And for families: the calanque of Port-Pin or Marseilleveyre.

In the surrounding area

If you'd like to take your visit to Marseille and the surrounding area a step further, there are two excursion options to choose from:

• Embark for the Château d'If and the Frioul Islands. There, you can delve deeper into the myth of the Count of Monte Cristo, enjoy some lovely walks or explore some diving sites.
   
• Exploring Mont Sainte-Victoire: an inexhaustible source of inspiration for many artists, including Paul Cézanne, this 1,011-metre-high mountain can be explored on numerous hiking trails.
• It offers magnificent landscapes of Provence and fabulous panoramas. But it's also home to some pretty villages, some surrounded by vineyards.

The art of living à la marseillaise

Marseille never leaves you indifferent... And with good reason: somewhat nonchalant, but also authentic and whole, it offers unforgettable experiences in many areas.

As nature and sunny days go by, you can admire the rich heritage of the past and present, the works of artists who are or have often been at the cutting edge of the avant-garde, but you can also take the time to enjoy the essential aperitif, the legendary pétanque tournaments, and the intense flavours of its sun-drenched dishes.

Marseille's culinary specialities

It's impossible to visit Marseille without savouring its gastronomy, where the culinary arts hold a special place. People love to sit down and spend time savouring the many specialities of Marseille and Provence, typical of the Mediterranean diet.
 

• Soups include the emblematic Bouillabaisse and Pistou soup. Bouillabaisse, typical of the port of Marseille, is made from a variety of Mediterranean fish, seafood and vegetables, seasoned with Provençal herbs and spices. It's best enjoyed hot, with its creamy texture, iodine flavour and intense rouille sauce. As for soupe au pistou, this is a summer soup, served hot or cold, made essentially from vegetables, pulses and small pasta dishes, with a hint of pistou added.
   
• On the meat side: pieds paquets. A meat-based stew speciality (lamb's feet and salt pork tripe), it is appreciated for its melt-in-the-mouth meat and spicy seasoning based on garlic, onions and parsley. Daube provençale, a meat stew marinated and simmered in red wine.
   
• Fans of seafood and fish? There's no shortage of choice, from sea urchins, supions (small squid) and crustaceans to sardines, red mullet, mackerel and scorpion fish... And don't forget bottarga, a highly sought-after Provençal caviar made from salted and dried mullet roe.
   
• Sauces: anchoïade or aïoli. Made with anchovies, olive oil, garlic and capers, anchoïade is a Provençal speciality, most often enjoyed as an aperitif spread on slices of bread. Aïoli, which is made with garlic, olive oil and egg yolk, can be used to spice up a variety of dishes (fish, vegetables, etc.).
   
• Those with a sweet tooth will love the navettes, oreillettes or chichis frégi (very popular in the Estaque area).
   

Finally, if there's one drink that's emblematic of Marseille, it's the famous pastis, an alcoholic beverage that's best served with cold water and ice cubes as a refreshing aperitif.