17 Things To Do In Marseille
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- Museum (4)
- Church & Cathedral (3)
- Avenues & Promenades (2)
- National Park (1)
1. Notre-Dame de la Garde
1 km from city center
Church & Cathedral
Notre-Dame de la Garde is a prominent basilica situated on the highest natural point in Marseille. Located south of the Old Port (Vieux Port), its terrace is known to offer panoramic views of Marseille and the Mediterranean Sea. It features a distinctive striped façade and a prominent golden statue of the Virgin Mary atop its bell tower. The basilica's interior is adorned with intricate mosaics an (Read More)d numerous ex-votos, including model ships.
2. Parc National des Calanques
10 km from city center
National Park
Parc National des Calanques is a protected area located along the Mediterranean coast between Marseille and Cassis in southern France. Established in 2012, it encompasses approximately 520 square kilometers, with 85 square kilometers of land and the remainder as marine area. The park is renowned for its striking limestone cliffs, narrow inlets, and diverse ecosystems and is known for activities li (Read More)ke hiking, rock climbing, swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking.
3. Old Port
1 km from city center
Waterfront
The Old Port of Marseille, known as Le Vieux-Port, is situated at the western end of La Canebière, the city's main thoroughfare, in the heart of Marseille. It surrounds several notable attractions like Fort Saint Jean and Fort Saint Nicolas, both guarding the harbor's entrance and offering historical insights and panoramic views of the city. Numerous cafés and restaurants line the quays and the wa (Read More)terfront market attract several tourists throughout the day.
4. Little Train
0 km from city center
Scenic Routes
Les Petits Trains de Marseille is a popular tourist attraction located in Marseille. The main departure point is situated at 174 Quai du Port, along the Vieux-Port (Old Port) area. It offers guided tours aboard charming, open-air trains that provide a unique way to discover Marseille's key sites. These tours are favored by tourists for their convenience and the informative commentary provided duri (Read More)ng the ride.
5. Corniche Kennedy
2 km from city center
Avenues & Promenades
The Corniche Président John Fitzgerald Kennedy, commonly known as the Corniche Kennedy, is a scenic coastal road in Marseille, France. Stretching approximately 3 kilometers, it connects the Plage des Catalans near the Vieux-Port to the Prado beaches in the south. This route offers panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea, the Frioul Islands, and the Château d'If. The promenade is dotted with resta (Read More)urants, bars, and beaches, providing ample opportunities for leisure and dining.
6. Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations
1 km from city center
Museum
The Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations (MuCEM) is located at the entrance of Marseille's Old Port, on the J4 pier, adjacent to Fort Saint-Jean. It is most famous for its innovative exhibitions that explore the historical and cultural exchanges within the Mediterranean basin, along with its striking modern architecture. It features the museum building and the Fort Saint-Jean, connec (Read More)ted by a suspended footbridge offering panoramic views of the sea and city.
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7. Palais Longchamp
1 km from city center
Garden & Park
The Palais Longchamp is a monumental complex located in the 4th arrondissement of Marseille. Its grand architecture features an elaborate fountain known as the "château d'eau," symbolizing the arrival of water in Marseille. The complex houses two significant museums: the Musée des Beaux-Arts, showcasing 17th and 18th-century artworks, and the Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle, displaying extensive natur (Read More)al history collections. The surrounding Parc Longchamp offers beautifully landscaped gardens.
8. Cathédrale La Major
1 km from city center
Church & Cathedral
Cathédrale La Major is a prominent landmark in Marseille, France. Situated between the Old Port (Vieux Port) and the Panier district, it stands near the waterfront at Place de la Major. It is mainly popular for its striking neo-Byzantine architecture, featuring distinctive striped façades of white and green marble. Its grand scale and elaborate design make it one of the largest cathedrals built in (Read More) France since the Middle Ages.
9. Chateau d'If
4 km from city center
Forts & Palaces
The Château d'If is a historic fortress located on the Île d'If, off the coast of Marseille. Constructed in the 16th century under the orders of King Francis I, the Château d'If was initially intended as a defense structure to protect Marseille from sea invasions. Visitors to the Château d'If can explore the fortress's well-preserved cells, including those believed to have held notable prisoners. (Read More)The island offers panoramic views of Marseille's coastline and the surrounding Mediterranean Sea and offers great sunset views.
10. Museum of Illusions Marseille
1 km from city center
Museum
The Musée de l'Illusion Marseille is situated at Place Albert Londres , beneath the Place de la Major. This museum has gained popularity for its interactive exhibits that challenge perceptions and entertain visitors of all ages. Guests can engage with over 70 illusions spread across more than 650 square meters, including sensory challenges, deceptive mirrors, and mind-bending installations.
11. Le Panier District
1 km from city center
Neighborhood
Le Panier is the oldest district in Marseille, located just north of the Vieux Port (Old Port) in the city's center. It is renowned for its narrow, winding streets, colorful facades, and vibrant street art. Visitors can explore the district's charming alleys, discover local artisans' workshops, and enjoy numerous cafes and boutiques that contribute to its village-like atmosphere.
12. Escale BORELY
5 km from city center
Avenues & Promenades
Escale Borély is a popular seaside promenade located in the 8th arrondissement of Marseille. The area is directly connected to Prado Beach. It features a variety of bars, restaurants, and shops along with a giant wheel offering a ride to enjoy panoramic views of the city and the surrounding area. Additionally, the nearby Parc Borély offers expansive green spaces, a botanical garden, and a pictures (Read More)que lake, ideal for leisurely walks or picnics.
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13. Port Pin Beach
14 km from city center
Beach
Calanque de Port-Pin is a picturesque inlet nestled between the calanques of Port-Miou and En-Vau. This calanque is renowned for its turquoise waters and the Aleppo pines that give it its name. The area offers a sandy and pebble beach, making it a favored spot for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. Hiking enthusiasts can also access Port-Pin via a trail from the Presqu’île car park in Cassis, a (Read More) walk that takes about 45 minutes.
14. Old Charity Center
1 km from city center
Museum
The Old Charity Center is situated in the historic Le Panier district of Marseille functioning as a complex housing museums, exhibition spaces, and research institutions. The central courtyard, featuring a chapel crowned with an ovoid dome, provides a serene setting for reflection and photography. Visitors can explore the Museum of Mediterranean Archaeology, which offers insights into ancient civi (Read More)lizations, and the Museum of African, Oceanian, and Amerindian Arts, showcasing diverse indigenous artifacts.
15. Abbey Saint Victor
1 km from city center
Church & Cathedral
The Abbaye Saint-Victor is a historic abbey located near the Old Port (Vieux Port) area. Founded in the 5th century, it is one of the oldest religious sites in the city. Visitors can explore the basilica's austere yet captivating architecture and delve into its rich past by visiting the crypts, which house early Christian and late pagan sarcophagi. The abbey also provides panoramic views of the Ol (Read More)d Port.
16. Chateau de la Buzine
9 km from city center
Landmark
Château de la Buzine is located in Marseille's 11th arrondissement, nestled between Saint-Menet and Les Camoins in the Huveaune Valley. It features various attractions within the château, including permanent and temporary exhibitions, a 345-seat cinema showcasing films from Mediterranean countries, and a media library. The estate also boasts beautifully landscaped gardens, ideal for leisurely walk (Read More)s.
17. Natural History Museum
2 km from city center
Museum
The Natural History Museum of Marseille is situated within the Palais Longchamp, in the 4th arrondissement of Marseille. The museum houses over 80,000 zoological specimens, 200,000 botanical samples, 81,000 fossils, and 8,000 mineral specimens. Exhibition areas are divided into themes such as world fauna, regional fauna and flora, comparative anatomy, and prehistory and evolution.