Top 10 Marseille Attractions

Known as France’s oldest city, Marseille is full of swagger and attitude. In recent years, it has softened its edges to cater to visitors – it’s unapologetically French, and all the more alluring for it.

Marseille wasn’t always a great tourist city, but it’s truly stepped up to the mark over the last decade. In 2013, it was presented with the honor of being the European City of Culture, which spurred an effort to prettify the city. Hotels were drastically improved, offering tourists more pleasant places to lay their heads, and areas were refined to create a more picturesque environment. Marseille was transformed into a place that is now a great city break destination.

Below, we list the top 10 things to do in Marseille to help you make the most of your time in this historic port city, ensuring you don’t miss a single highlight.

Notre-Dame de la Garde

Towering over the city, casting its shadow over the people and the sea, it’s hard to miss Notre-Dame de la Garde from wherever you are in Marseille. Considered a symbol of the city, you can pretty much see all of Marseille from your vantage point here. This Catholic Basilica was consecrated in 1864 – although they didn’t finish building it for another decade – but is on the site of a much older chapel, one first completed in 1218.

Stepping inside, you’ll see truly impressive mosaics and murals, plus a bell tower with a stunning gilded statue of the Virgin Mary adorned in gold leaf. Take a visit to the crypt to see a grislier side of history, before emerging to soak in the amazing view – by far the best in the city.

Vieux Port

Another one of the city’s key symbols, Marseille’s old Vieux Port has been the economic driving force of the city for centuries. It has also been the source of much of its food. A vital part of Marseille’s history, the ancient Greek colony Massalia was founded here, later becoming the Roman Massilia. Today, fresh fish is pulled ashore here daily, stocking the markets and furnishing the restaurants, as it has done for over 2,000 years.

Two impressive forts – St Jean and St Nicolas – guard the port. There are restaurants and cafes galore here too, with many serving the local specialty, bouillabaisse – a rich and luxurious fish stew. What was a rough area is now extremely visitor friendly, with a Ferris wheel, tourist boats and plenty of places to sit and enjoy the stunning sunsets.

Chateau d’If

Just over a mile out to sea from Vieux Port, you’ll find a fortified island with a long history – both in the real world and in fiction. The Chateau d’If was built in the 16th century to protect the coast from invasions, helping people keep watch and offering cover to the new royal fleet of galleys. The fortress houses a prison made famous by The Count of Monte Cristo, Alexandre Dumas’ 1844 classic piece of French literature.

The people who make a living getting you on and off the island seem to truly believe the count was real, rather than a work of fiction, but this prison did host many political prisoners from the 16^th century onwards. Head here for a literary pilgrimage, and make sure not to miss the views back to Marseille.

Le Panier

Your Marseille trip isn’t complete without a visit to Le Panier. This is Marseille’s old town, first settled by the Greeks more than 2,000 years ago. It has ramshackle charm in abundance, combining color with atmosphere, and its winding narrow streets mean it’s easy – and a pleasure – to get lost in. The town is a melting pot of an area, one where immigrants have always settled, making for a unique blend of cultures.

Le Panier used to be the home of notorious French criminal gangs, but don’t worry, it’s way more attuned to visitors now. On your visit, you’ll spot sun-dappled squares, handsome cafes, unique shops and get a true sense of being in the heart of the city. You’ll also come across some museums here, and the 18th-century La Vieille Charité, with its domed chapel built by the city’s own Pierre Puget.

JFK’s Corniche

Named to pay homage to President John F Kennedy after his assassination in 1963, JFK’s Corniche is a picturesque stretch of road that makes for a thrilling drive. Here, you’re treated to blissful views of the Mediterranean before you arrive at the Prado, one of the best beaches in Marseille.

Relax and gaze out to see the islands floating offshore or sit on a part of the seemingly endless bench, once the world’s longest.

The Calanques

Hop on a boat for one of the area’s most gorgeous hidden gems – the Calanques. You can drive and then walk here, but the steep hills will be a test for even the hardiest walkers. Plus, the boats will let you adore the aquatic beauty featured on this stretch of coastline.

Here you can find the best beaches in the area, overseen by limestone cliffs and breathtaking views, stretching between Marseille and Cassis. The inlets, bays and vertiginous cliffs lend this area a natural splendor and drama that has, over the years, attracted many inspiration-seeking artists. The Calanques National Park is recognized as being the only European national park which covers land, sea and urban areas.

Cathedrale de la Major

Called ’La Major’ by Marseille’s locals, the Cathedrale de la Major is one of the largest churches in France. Created in the mid-to-late 19th century, this basilica was built on the site of an earlier, 12th-century cathedral – there are still some remains of the older place of worship.

Look away from it and you’ll get a phenomenal view of the port. Look at it and you’ll be astonished by its Romanesque-Byzantine style architecture and extravagant limestone exterior. Inside, you can also find a range of mosaics, statues and impressive arches.

Palais Longchamp

The Palais Longchamp is very much a triple threat. It’s a gorgeous attraction in its own right, but it also has a heavenly park outside – which is at its best in summer – and two museums inside, including the Musée des Beaux-Arts. The latter has been in a wing of the Palais since 1869, and contains pieces by Rubens, Jan Brueghel the Younger, Canaletto and Rodin.

Palais Longchamp has a rich history – it was built to celebrate the arrival of water in the city. In the wing just opposite, you’ll find the Natural History Museum, one of the best places of pilgrimage for history aficionados in France. 

The MuCEM

The Musée des Civilisations de l'Europe et de la Méditerranée – or MuCEM for short – is a modern marvel. While it delves deep into the past of Mediterranean people and places, it does so in an utterly contemporary building. The approach inside is fresh and inspirational, while outside you’ll find a walkway that is high and narrow, linking MuCEM with Fort St Jean.

Le Canebiere

Leading directly from the port, Le Canebiere is one of Marseille’s most important boulevards. It’s a street that occupies the same place in local life as the Champs-Élysées does in Paris. With awe-inspiring historic buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries, here you’ll get a feel of the city’s past, present and future.

It’s a riot of life, with stalls selling clothing, books, spices and food. Be sure to stop off at one of the local cafés or patisseries for a bite to eat in between your shopping.

Looking for more things to do near Marseilles? Check out our guide on where to eat and stay in Naples.