Impossible to get bored in Marseille! Historical monuments, typical neighborhoods, famous creeks, and exceptional sites make the Phocaean City a beautiful weekend or vacation destination suitable for both families and couples eager to discover. To help you organize your getaway in sunny Marseille, here are the places you absolutely must not miss!
1- Palais Longchamp
Classified as a historical monument, the Palais Longchamp also deserves special attention if you go on vacation in Marseille. Surrounded by greenery and waterfalls, this architectural jewel was built in 1869 to celebrate the arrival of water in the Phocaean city. Inside the Palais Longchamp, you will find the natural history museum of Marseille and the Fine Arts museum. This green site in the heart of the city is very popular with families.
2- The Mucem
With its unique architecture and the unusual location at the entrance to the port, the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations is one of the must-see places in Marseille. Inaugurated in 2013, the Mucem presents the history of the Mediterranean since prehistoric times. Spread over 45,000 m2, it is one of the most visited museums in Marseille with nearly 2 million visitors each year.
3- The Old Port of Marseille
It is the meeting place of the Marseillais who like to stroll along the quays between boats, restaurant terraces, and historical buildings. Every morning on the Quai des Belges, the fish market reflects a joyful and lively atmosphere, so representative of Marseille. At this place, you can find the “Ombrière”, a design-style mirror shade under which locals and tourists like to take pictures.
4- Corniche du Président John F. Kennedy
Starting at the Catalans beach and running along the seafront for 3.7 km to the Prado beaches, the Corniche du Président John F. Kennedy is one of the must-see streets in Marseille. On this seaside boulevard named after the former US president who was assassinated in 1963, you can admire breathtaking views of the Mediterranean and the Frioul Islands. Fishermen’s cottages, hotels, monuments, period villas, restaurants, and magnificent creeks follow one another along this route which uses the Fausse Monnaie bridge.
5- The Velodrome Stadium
Mythical, the Velodrome stadium makes the Cité Phocéenne quiver on match nights and enjoys an international reputation thanks to the OM, the soccer team of Marseille. With a capacity of 67,000 spectators, it is the second-largest stadium in the country after the Stade de France and a must-see for all fans of football.
Of course, the best way to get a feel for the place and its vibrant atmosphere is to buy a seat to attend a match. But you should know that the Marseille Tourist Office organizes guided tours of this “monument” whose history goes back over 80 years.
6- The Cathedral of the Major
With its Romanesque and Byzantine architecture, made of domes, arcades, and striped facades, the Cathedral of the Major or cathedral of Saint Mary Major, is a monument not to be missed in Marseille. Every day, locals and tourists, faithful or simply curious, visit this masterpiece of Marseille’s heritage whose construction dates back to the 19th century.
7- The Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde
It is impossible to stay in Marseille without visiting the one that the Marseillais nickname the Good Mother. From the top of its 157 meters, the Basilica Notre-Dame de la Garde has been watching over the Phocaean city and its inhabitants for more than 800 years. Perched on a hill accessible on foot or with the small tourist train, it offers an exceptional panorama on the roofs of the city and the Big Blue.
8- The Calanques of Marseille
The Calanques National Park extends over 20 km along the coast between Marseille and Cassis. Created in 2012, this national park is the first in Europe to be both terrestrial, marine, island, and peri-urban. With their crystal clear sea and fine sand, the creeks of Sormiou, En Vau, and Port Miou are undoubtedly the most beautiful of the park but also the most frequented.
The creeks of the Côte Bleue, which follow one another to the east of the Phocaean city and which are not part of the Calanques National Park, are also worth a visit for their diversity and their postcard-like landscapes.
9- The islands of Frioul and the Château d’If
Ratonneau, Tiboule, Pomègues and If form the islands of Frioul. This archipelago located in the harbor of Marseille offers landscapes of extreme beauty and preserved fauna and flora. The most famous is certainly the island of If, where the Château d’If is located, a fortress-prison built on the orders of François I in 1524 and which inspired Alexandre Dumas for his novel The Count of Monte Cristo.
After a few minutes crossing by boat or shuttle from the port of Marseille, you will discover its impressive architecture, its court, and its famous keeps. The plus: the unique panorama on the Old Port.
10- Vallon des Auffes
You will fall under the charm of this small fishing port, a real haven of peace wedged between two cliffs. Far from the hustle and bustle of Marseille, the Vallon des Auffes invites you to stroll among its colorful huts and its “points”, the typical fishing boats of Marseille. The 3 arches viaduct which marks the entrance of the port, adds character to this picturesque and timeless place.
The Vallon des Auffes, which owes its name to the esparto grass used to make ropes, offers an even more grandiose spectacle when the sunsets.
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