| Founded in 600 B.C. by Greeks from Phocaea, Marseille is France’s oldest city, second only to Paris. Nearly 900,000 inhabitants live within the city walls in 16 districts, most of which have retained their authentic village character. Marseille is fortunate to offer its residents and tourists an extraordinary coastline, a harbor envied by sailors the world over, and more than 300 days of sunshine a year. Marseille’s natural heritage is exceptional, with a number of parks in the city center that are veritable green lungs, providing cool havens when the sun shines too brightly. Just a few kilometers from the Vieux-Port, you’ll find the Calanques massif, classified as a National Nature Park and ideal for outdoor sports all year round. For over 20 kilometers, the famous Calanques are a succession of coves, some inhabited, some still wild, where the turquoise waters invite you to relax…
Marseille has also made a name for itself thanks to its economic dynamism, notably through the Euroméditerranée project, where top architects such as Zaha Hadid, Kengo Kuma and Stefano Boeri share the landscape. The Old Port has been completely redesigned by Norman Foster’s architects. Pedestrianization is planned, restoring this fabulous site to its rightful place in Marseille’s urban space.. |
| The Musée des civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée is a national museum that opened on June 7, 2013, during the European Capital of Culture year. |
| Overlooking the city of Marseille, the Notre-Dame de La Garde church is one of the city’s must-see monuments. Built on a hill south of the Old Port, the Good Mother celebrates 800 years of existence in 2014. |
| In September 1852, Emperor Napoleon III, who was visiting Marseille at the time, conceived the idea of building “a dwelling with its feet in the water”. In 1855, to thank him for his intervention in the Lazaret land swap between the State and the commune of Marseille, the city offered him the coveted Plateau du Pharo. |
| Located in the Cinq Avenues district, the Palais was built in 1862 by the municipality to celebrate the arrival of the waters of the Durance in the city, via the Canal de Marseille. Work on the Palais was directed by architect Henri-Jacques Espérandieu, and completed in 1869 for budgetary reasons. |
| The Vieux Port is not just about strolling along the quays, enjoying a lively aperitif or visiting the fish market. It’s also home to a traditional Provencal market on weekends and public holidays. Marseille soaps, lavender, santons, arts and crafts and many other specialties to discover or rediscover.
The Cours Honoré Estienne d’Orves is well worth a visit, even if it’s easier to imagine having an aperitif than shopping in this very Italian-looking square. Indeed, there are more restaurants and bars than stores on the square, but a few little gems are worth a detour. |
| In Marseille, gastronomy is at the heart of culture. On the old town, eating fish from the market is inevitable. In the shade of olive trees and under the watchful eye of the “Bonne-Mère”, you’ll find trendy gourmet cuisine with a southern accent. Tapenade, pastis and bouillabaisse are a must. |
| Off the coast of Marseille, discover the Château d’If, a fortress built by François I and made famous by Alexandre Dumas’ novel Le Comte de Monte-Cristo. Let yourself be captivated by the legends of the place and the exceptional views over Marseille and the Frioul islands.
Château d’If can be reached by boat from the port of Marseille. |
| Majestic cliffs, sea as far as the eye can see and exceptional flora and fauna make up the dream setting of Marseille’s calanques. This site, unique in the world, offers nature lovers a wide range of activities. Underwater, thanks to Marseille’s various diving clubs, on the water via boat trips, or even on land via hiking trails, Marseille’s calanques invite you to explore and discover.
One of the best ways to visit the Calanques is to take a sea cruise. |
| From Marseille, take the tourist TER train to the Côte Bleue… in half an hour you’ll have covered the Côte Bleue. For magnificent scenery, make a stop in one of the many small fishing villages: Martigues first, with its charming canals, bridges and quays that have inspired many painters.
The coastal path then takes you from Carro to Sausset-les-Pins and Carry-le-Rouet. The route offers a jagged coastline, a succession of coves, beaches and headlands on the hillsides. |
| Stroll along the narrow streets and quays of “Venise Provençale“, especially the Quai Brescon, aptly named “Miroir aux Oiseaux” on the banks of the Canal Saint-Sébastien, to admire the fishermen’s houses and colorful facades. Don’t hesitate to visit the Musée Ziem, a painter inspired by the Etang de Berre and the shores of the Mediterranean. |
| Then head for the shores of the Mediterranean and the Côte Bleue.
First stop: the small fishing port of Carro. The Cap Couronne lighthouse looms in the distance. Nearby, a coastal path winds between rocks and creeks, past ancient submerged quarries. It leads to the beautiful beach of Sainte-Croix. It can also be reached by road. Pine forest and white sand make for a picture-postcard setting. |
| Continue to Sausset-les-Pins, along the rocky coast. Depending on the season, you can opt for a lazy session on Rives d’Or beach or underwater swimming with Côte Bleue Plongée. |
| Continue along the coastal road to Carry-le-Rouet. You’re in the heart of the Côte Bleue Marine Park, and more specifically the marine reserve. You can easily explore the shallow coastal waters. For relaxation and tradition, a beach named after Fernandel, a famous Carry resident, welcomes you near the port. |
| While the more courageous can try stand-up paddling at sunset, contemplation from the small port of Méjean, surrounded by pine forests, remains a coastal must. |
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