Marseille City Guide
Marseille is the second biggest city in France and one of the oldest cities - founded in the 6th century. Marseille is still a working port, and is a cosmopolitan and vibrant city. Wander around the Vieux Port area for fantastic seafood restaurants, visit the museums, or soak up some sun on the beaches.
What to do and see in and around Marseille
Vieux Port
The Vieux Port area of Marseille is the heart of the city. The area is dominated by the huge St-Jean and St-Nicholas forts on the entrance to the harbour. Wander around the pedestrian streets surrounding the harbour for excellent seafood restaurants.
Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde
The church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde looks over the Vieux Port area of Marseilles, don't forget your camera for views along the coastline and out to sea. The church was built in 1864, and is topped by a 30 foot high gilded statue of the Virgin and Child.
Parc du Pharo
At the far end of the Vieux Port area is the Parc du Pharo, which includes Château du Pharo and its gardens. The Château du Pharo was built by Napoléon III for his wife Eugenie in 1860, the Château is now owned by the city of Marseilles and used for functions and concerts.
Musée des Beaux-Arts
The Musée des Beaux-Arts is housed in the Palais Longchamp - originally built in the 19th century to commemorate the building of the aquaduct bringing water to Marseille. The museum includes works by Ingres, David, and Rubens, plus a large sculpture gallery, and city maps.
Cathedrale de la Major
This resplendent many-domed Romanesque cathedral dates back to 1852. Located in the Place de la Major this attractive cathedral is well worth a visit.
Château d'If
The island of Château d'If is a short boat ride from the quai des Belges in the Vieux Port area of Marseille. A fortress was originally built on the island in the 16th century, and it was later used as a prison. The Château was made famous by Alexander Dumas who used it as a setting for his famous novel "The Count of Monte Cristo".
Marseille's Corniche & Beaches
The Promenade de la Corniche runs from the Vieux Port area along the coastline past the main beaches of Marseille. Plage des Catalans is the closest beach to the city, or follow the corniche further out of the city to plage du Prado.
Aix-En-Provence
45 minutes from Marseille by train
Aix-En Provence is a charming city, founded by the Romans and once the capital of Provence. Visit the tiny streets of the old city area, or the excellent museums in the quartier Mazarin. The artist Cézanne painted the town and surrounding countryside - and you can now visit his house exactly as it was in 1906.
Cassis
30 minutes from Marseille by train
Cassis is a charming and picturesque old fishing village with quaint colourful buildings around the harbour. Relax in one of the many cafés and restaurants dotted around the harbour area or take a boat trip around the Calanques.
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