Discovering Marseille: From Must-Sees to Unique Visits.
Ah, Marseille! Just saying its name evokes the sound of cicadas and the charming accent. One imagines its port and La Bonne Mère. In short, there’s no need to explain why you’re eager to spend a few days or even a whole vacation there. However, the Phocaean City is much more than that. Discovering Marseille means seeking out heritage treasures, tasting its gastronomy, and participating in unique activities. Plenty to succumb to the charm of the city and its surroundings. Follow us for a tour through this article. You’ll have everything you need to prepare your itinerary for your stay in Marseille.
Exploring Marseille: The City’s Must-Sees
Marseille and tourism have a history that spans centuries… or almost. Rich in diverse culture and deep-rooted traditions, Marseille’s heritage is unlike any other. Here is a selection of 10 things to see in Marseille.
The Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde
The famous Bonne Mère! A mythical place in the city, where you’re sure to be dazzled. First, by the architectural beauty of the building. But also because of the breathtaking view over the Phocaean City. In short, visiting Notre-Dame de la Garde is the must-see of must-sees in Marseille.
The Cité Radieuse by Le Corbusier
Built after World War II, the Cité Radieuse is a unique housing unit concept elevated to the status of a work of art. Described as a vertical garden city, it was designed to play with perspectives, lights, and colors. In addition to 337 apartments, it features two shopping streets and a rooftop terrace housing the Contemporary Art Center. Perfect for a family outing in Marseille!
The Abbey of Saint-Victor
Lesser-known than the previous two monuments, it is nonetheless interesting to visit. If we mention crypts, sarcophagi, chapels? That should pique your curiosity. And if we add that its tower offers a stunning view of the Old Port, we’re quite sure to convince you to explore the Abbey of Saint-Victor.
The Old Port
Speaking of which, let’s talk about the Old Port of Marseille. A true symbol of the city, located at the bottom of the Canebière. It hosts many events, making it a landmark for the people of Marseille. You might have the chance to attend one of them during your stay. Otherwise, you can always watch the fishermen setting out to sea or the flower market on Tuesday and Saturday mornings.
The Orange Vélodrome Stadium
Straight to the point with OM! In Marseille, football is much more than a sport; it’s a religion. And the atmosphere in the stadium proves it. However, if you prefer to visit the Vélodrome outside the excitement of a match, book your tickets through the Tourist Office.
The Panier District
Made famous by the TV series Plus belle la vie, this district has been one of the mythical places in the city for decades. You’ll encounter colorful façades, charming old-fashioned shops, and numerous cafés. And of course, the friendly residents whose hospitality is well-known.
The Palais Longchamp
A historical symbol of the city. Following the 1835 cholera epidemic caused by a lack of water, Franz Mayor de Montricher, a civil engineer, decided to undertake a colossal project. Building 18 aqueducts to bring the waters from the Durance to Marseille. The Palais Longchamp stands as a testament to this achievement.
The Mucem
The Museum of Civilizations of Europe and the Mediterranean opened its doors in Marseille in 2013. Since then, it has become one of the most visited museums in the Phocaean City. Be aware that discovering all its collections requires some movement. The museum is divided into three main sites: the J4 esplanade, Fort Saint-Jean, and the Belle de Mai district.
The Cosquer Cave
Marseille certainly holds many surprises for you, and the Cosquer Cave is among them. Discovered by chance in 1985, it’s now impossible to visit due to rising water levels. However, since June 2022, a faithful reproduction has been open to the public on the J4 esplanade, in the Villa Méditerranée. Don’t miss this opportunity!
The Calanques
The calanques are inherently part of the 10 things to see in Marseille. But we’ll discuss them in the next section. A little patience.
📌 Do you want to discover Marseille in one day? We recommend the panoramic bus tour. You’ll thank us later!
Discovering Marseille by the Sea
Marseille’s Beaches
As a maritime city, Marseille offers plenty of spots to take a dip. Of course, you can choose the calanques (we’ll talk about them later). But here’s a selection you might enjoy:
- The Corbières-l’Estaque beaches.
With fine sand and pebbles, they are shallow but monitored. After your swim, you can visit L’Estaque, a village that has inspired many artists, like Renoir and Cézanne. Perfect for family outings in Marseille.
- The Catalans Beach, close to the Old Port.
Ideal after a morning of visits, as it is near the city center. This inevitably makes it a very busy beach…
- Malmousque, the small fishing port with its seaside coves.
This village in the 7th arrondissement is also in the city center. Here, the waters are deep and unsupervised. However, if you choose to take a dip, you’ll also be diving into an authentic neighborhood.
- The Prophet’s Beach, the go-to spot for evening aperitifs.
Located below Corniche Kennedy, it’s ideal for families because the water is shallow.
- The Prado Beach, the largest in Marseille, stretching over 3.5 kilometers.
It’s also the most famous and frequented. That’s why there are numerous facilities, including water activities.
Water Activities
Speaking of which, let’s talk about water activities in Marseille. You can imagine there are plenty to choose from. Here’s a non-exhaustive list of your options:
- Discover Marseille on a paddleboard.
Whether solo or in a group, in the morning or facing the sunset, paddleboarding is the ideal sport for relaxation along the Phocaean City’s beaches.
- Kayaking along the coastline.
More athletic than paddleboarding, this sport is very popular by the sea.
- Rent a small boat typical to the region. Would you like that?
Try a catamaran for intense sensations and the discovery of exceptional coastal heritage.
- The Frioul Islands and Château d’If
The perfect place to discover the flora and fauna of this part of Provence. Because Marseille is more than just the city, head out to sea and enjoy the remains of the archipelago. The Frioul Islands consist of four islands, offering rare flora and diverse fauna. You’ll encounter the famous gabian, the Provençal seagull. As for Château d’If, it will immerse you in the history of The Count of Monte Cristo, among others.
The Calanques
Do we really need to introduce the calanques of Marseille? In a few words, we’ll tell you that:
They are located between Marseille and Cassis;
They are rocky inlets with rare geological richness;
The Calanques National Park and the Côte Bleue coastline boast exceptional marine fauna and flora;
Access to certain calanques beaches must be earned;
And their beauty cannot be easily described.
📌 Want to stay at a campsite by the calanques on the Côte Bleue? You are in the right place. Our campsite, Les Tamaris, located in Martigues, will be delighted to welcome you under the sun of Provence. You can book now!
Hiking in Marseille
When thinking about what to visit in Marseille, one naturally thinks of the city. Yet, the surrounding areas offer many activities. Hiking is one of them. Discover the different places to hike:
The calanques.
As we mentioned earlier, access to the calanques beaches sometimes (often!) must be earned. Several trails traverse the National Park.
Urban hikes.
A perfect blend of physical activity and sightseeing. Some routes will take you through the Panier district or along the Corniche Kennedy, among others.
The Pagnol hills
Featuring, notably, the Garlaban Massif or the Saint-Cyr chain.
The Côte Bleue.
Offering trails that are less challenging than the calanques but just as picturesque.
The Provençal Massifs.
What a pleasure it is to climb the Sainte-Baume Massif at 1100 meters high and the Sainte-Victoire Mountain, opening the doors to the Pays d’Aix.
📌 Want to make sure you discover Marseille and the places that pique your interest? Don’t hesitate to check availabilities in advance and/or book your spots through GetYourGuide!
Tasting the Gastronomic Treasures of the Phocaean City
What to do in the Phocaean city that doesn’t require walking? Eating, of course! Since you probably already know about tapenade, oreillettes, or bouillabaisse, let’s talk about lesser-known dishes you must try during your stay in Marseille, depending on the season:
- La pompe à l’huile.
A traditional Christmas dessert in Provence made mainly of wheat flour, olive oil, and sugar;
- Oursinades, events organized to taste sea urchins;
- Le Colombier, made with almonds and melon, a traditional dessert for Pentecost celebrations;
- Les navettes, dry biscuits made for Candlemas.
Discovering Marseille Differently with These Unique Activities
A range of possibilities awaits you outside our campsite. Among them, there is no shortage of unique activities in Marseille. We have selected several for you here:
- The Marseille tuk-tuks. Another way to discover the city when you’re short on time.
- Urban games, derived from escape games, but in an urban setting. Part treasure hunt, part puzzle, they come in all themes.
- The naturo-poetic hike to Sugiton. This hike cannot be explained; it must be experienced, between exceptional panoramas and medicinal flora.
- Speleology, particularly at the Castelette cave.
- And finally, the Marseille gastronomic tour by e-bike, integrating several parts of this blog article into one.
If, after reading this article, you’re still unsure about what to discover in Marseille, we can’t help you anymore. We told you, this city is full of diverse riches, difficult to summarize in a few words. The best is probably to visit and book your accommodation at our seaside campsite near Marseille.