Things to do in  Marseille

Perched atop the city’s highest hill, the magnificent Notre-Dame de la Garde, which is visible from all over the Marseille, is one of the city’s most striking landmarks. The Romano-Byzantine basilica dates back to the 19th century and is best known for its grand bell tower, which is capped with a gleaming gold statue of the Virgin Mary.

Marseille is France’s largest and busiest port, welcoming over 1.5 million cruise passengers to its shores each year. As the gateway to Provence and the south of France, Marseille is a popular stop on Europe cruise itineraries, and offers ferry connections to Corsica, Sardinia, Algeria, and Tunisia.

The jagged shorelines between Marseilles and La Ciotat are home to calanques, a coastline of thin teal fjords flanked by craggy limestone cliffs. While many countries have rugged, beautiful beaches, few are more scenic than those at Calanques National Park. As such, the region attracts thousands of visitors each summer who seek out sun-bleached pebble coves, boat around remote bays, and hike amid green vegetation on the inland trails.

The grand baroque colonnade and gardens of the Palais Longchamp are home to Marseille’s Natural History Museum and Fine Arts Museum. The imposing buildings and spacious park are popular with tourists and locals alike.

The Palais du Pharo in Marseille was built for Napoleon III and was once home to the city’s medical school. The palace is now used for municipal events and conferences and is famous for great views over the Mediterranean Sea from the palace gardens.

Situated in Marseille's 7th arrondissement, the Vallon des Auffes neighborhood looks like it could have been plucked from another century. This compact, dense fishing area is full of colorful houses painted in hues of salmon and yellow—surrounding a tiny harbor that's usually full of small fishing boats.

Once the city’s commercial maritime hub, the Old Port of Marseille (Vieux Port) has been in use since antiquity and is now used by yachts, fishing craft, and pleasure boats. The picturesque and vibrant quays are the setting for fish markets and historical buildings, as well as cafés and restaurants that specialize in fresh-from-the-boat seafood.

One of Marseille’s key religious landmarks, the city’s cathedral (known locally as the Cathédrale La Major stands just steps from the water’s edge. Built in the 19th century, the neo-Byzantine church is distinctive for its striped facade and vibrant interior; it’s not to be confused with the hilltop Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde.

A spectacular waterfront roadway, La Corniche—aka the Corniche President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, or the Corniche Kennedy—winds along Marseille’s Mediterranean coast for 3 miles (5 kilometers). Originally a pedestrian thoroughfare, it now serves both those on foot and four wheels looking for salty seaside views, accessible beaches, fabulous restaurants, and a taste of the city’s gorgeous coastline.

This Roman abbey in Marseille has a long and interesting history dating back 1,500 years. Visitors come to tour the basilica and learn more about the building and the community of monks that once lived here.

Launched in 2013 in honor of Marseille's designation as an EU Capital of Culture, the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations was an excellent addition to the city's already fantastic museum. Its focus is on the history and culture of the Mediterranean basis, exploring the cultural history of the region and those who shaped it.

The tawny walls of Fort Saint-Jean rise from the Bay of Marseille, a 17th-century military installation that’s among the city’s most visited sites. A footbridge links the fort and the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations (Le Mucem), forming a complex for art, culture, and history with sweeping views across the water.

The Chateau d’If, situated just off the coast of Marseille, is a former French naval base and prison that was immortalized by Alexandre Dumas in the novelThe Count of Monte Cristo. Visit the island fortress to see its jail cells and enjoy panoramic views of the city of Marseille.

Among the most popular of Marseille's calanques—narrow limestone inlets that jut out into the Mediterranean Sea—the Calanque de Sormiou is a beautiful place for swimming, sunbathing, and just taking in the views. It's also one of the easier-to-access calanques in the area, and you can get there by car or bicycle.

Experience the faded grandeur of Marseille’s famous boulevard, La Canabière, and explore the many layers of history and commerce that make up this vibrant city.