Marseille is an elegant and refined coastline town with rough edges. While trendy museums are constantly appearing, the city has retained its edginess and distinctiveness unlike anywhere else in Europe.
Marseille has done a good job restoring the brilliances of the 20th century. Marseille has a contrast of youthful and old, classic and progressive, simple and sophisticated.
01. Learn about local history at MuCEM
It is primarily devoted towards regional history and cultural activities and hosts an extensive collection of fascinating collections. Learn the impact of protest and social groups in France, the practice of magic and sorceries in ancient Europe, how coffee has become an icon in Europe and famous artists such as Gustave Sooury.
Permanent exhibitions cover everything from the 16th-century history of Port-Cristo, to the Mediterranean food, to the history of the Saint-Jean Fort. This museum is linked to it through a 130-meter foot bridge.
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02. Climb the steps to Notre-Dame de la Garde
Basilica Notre Dame Garde is Marseille's highest building. The first King decided to build here on 150 metres (490 ft) above seafloor to defend Marseille from potential invaders.
The Virgin Mary is seen as guiding the people It is a very early place to go to Marseille to find out how the surrounding mountains have shaped the city. How you can view Byzantine art and admire the stunning view is to walk up the hill before climbing the many stairs.
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03. MuCEM – Museum of Civilizations of Europe and the Mediterranean
This museum is appropriate in a city which has historically dominated the history. In 2013 Marseille was declared a cultural centre of European origin and the museum was launched as a part of its inauguration.
Modern architecture contrasts sharply from the historical architecture on the riverfront. MuCEM is surrounded by a Fort Saint-Jean which gives new life to this city. While the museum focuses on European culture the museum itself attracts tourists.
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04. Celebrate summer with the Marseille Festival
The most important thing in Marseille when you travel during Summer is seeing what goes on at Marseille Festival. Held every June, July and August the Festival brings artists and audiences from around the world together to celebrate diversity, energy, and joy.
It's a great time to attend Marseille's music festivals. Even when nothing is actually happening at that moment on the show, there are chances of some street party!
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05. Stroll and picnic at HotelDieu, Le Vieux Port
The hotel means not always a hotel, but sometimes just a grand old home. This majestic building above the port of Vieux has served as a hospital in the city since 800 years. It is now in fact a real hotel – the InterContinental – which offers you wonderful Mediterranean style brunches each Sunday.
On the public steps above Hotel Dieu you will find some of Marseille's best spots for picnics while you explore the city. Stop for some observation or take a look across the harbour.
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06. Walk the charming streets of Le Panier, the oldest district of Marseille
Marseilles's oldest neighbourhood has been an Egyptian settlement. The city was originally built close to the Old Port around the year 600 BC and here was a region from which Marseille developed. In the late 19th century, the area was known as the sexiest and vilest neighborhood in the city with the worst reputation 'prostitution and crime'.
But it was never until the end of the 20th century that the area received extensive restorations and was reopened. Today, Le Paniers is one of the destinations of artists and designers dotted with colorful street art and narrow stones that allow for walking.
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07. Parc National des Calanques
One good day tour to Marseille is Calaques National Park. The park is the only national park on earth near a city on both coasts. The hotel is situated in Marseille, a little further to Cassis. Calanques National Park is a huge national park covering 520 km2.
It looks very likely something from Greece. In 2012, a national park was established that included excellent walking trails and areas for kayaking. Visit the breathtaking coastline and hidden fishing villages that line the shoreline in boats. This Catamaran tour in Calanques Nationalpark.
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08. Escape to the Calanques National Park on a day trip
Calanques Nationalpark was created partly to protect massif des Calanques. It's 20 km of rugged terrain reaching 1,000 metres high. It is an active activity in the park, where many trails traverse the cliff edges and into the calanque.
It is possible to bike from Marseille center until Calanque de Sormiou where a soft white beach is found with traditional wooden chalet and an exit to the ferry. It's also a popular location for boating, diving and snorkelling – you can even take scuba diving with an instructor here.
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09. Escape the noise and heat atParc Borély
In 1767, Louis Borély came back with a rich Egyptian idea to create a country house that would “surpass all other properties in size and splendour”. Park Borély is the place where people can escape the city heat, but not usually crowds.
The French poet, celebrated Marcel Pagnol fondly recalls his childhood visits to this garden. The home is impressive and the gardens are the main attractions. Hire a bicycle and explore vast paths and lawns. Take a look in the play areas and watch someone play Marshall arts in a park or football match.
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10. Explore art, history and nature at the Palais Longchamp
The infamous Longchamp Palace was originally constructed in 1869 to mark the beginning of construction on the Canal de Marseille. Longchamp Palace is the home to the Musée des Beaux-art displaying large quantities of French, Italian and Spanish artwork.
During a period the zoologische gardens were shut down after 1987, all of the animals were moved to another location. Visitors have the chance to view a Victorian era cage at the garden, now full of flowers and fiberglass animal life-sizes.
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11. Travel back in time at the Marseille History Museum
Since it was founded to house archaeological findings from the Marseille region its scope includes urban history the creation and expansion of the cities. It has also been built with historical books and city plans. As a town that dates from 600 BC when founded by the Greeks, it shouldn't surprise anyone that many ancient remains were unearthed in its constructions.
This comprises two ship hulls from the third centuries, artifacts related to the plague of 1720 and medieval potteries' tools and pieces. Besides these museums, the Jardin des Vestiges is accessible from the museum buildings.
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12. Les Saveurs Du Vieux Port, the best place for couscous in Marseille
The city is bursting with restaurants with African food and the Algerian diaspora includes the Moroccan, Algerian and Algerian peoples. A few of the best are located in less attractive areas between Saint Charles and Marseille's Vieux port.
The first place you see when visiting Les Sauvageurs de Vieux is their delicious North African desserts which stack high on both windows. It's a small, friendly spot a little like a couscous cafe, in which rice dishes (vegetarian and meat) can be served with mint tea for a good price.
The restaurant has nothing to offer alcohol and is best for people who like to eat 'fascinating' food at the marinas and the nearby markets des Capucins.
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13. Step inside the stunning Abbaye Saint-Victor
Built in the 5th century (and later restored) this magnificent Abbey is renowned as a tourist destination and popular activity in Marseille. In the 1890s most religion and religious objects and even the contents of the abbey were taken out or destroyed.
The abbey was rebuilt during the nineteenth century, which is now a symbol of early Christian arts. The cryptes in the building are also a popular attraction for tourists. While on the way, take a look at Saint Nicholas Fort as well.
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14. Walk the historic La Canebière
La Canebière is Marseilles biggest avenue and is without question its longest. The avenue has been extended to the Old Town since 1666 and has now extended up to the Old Town. Since cafés are opening near music halls and boutique hotels, this avenue has become an ideal spot for discovering.
You can join a two-hour guided walking tour to discover how the avenue triggered the growth of business in France and how it impacted the life of the town.
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15. Spend a couple of hours at the Palais du Pharo
After Napoleon III died, the Palais du Phare became the Pharaoh schools and eventually the Institut for Tropical Medicine. The institute closed in 2013 after the renovations were completed to convert the palace into conferences centres in the future. Several cycling tours visit Marseilles' top attractions including a stop at the palace.
The lush garden of the palace, called Jardin du Pharo, includes a walkway that crosses the coastline along the cliffs. A small part of the building has been built as a memorial for sailors — their heroes and survivors.
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16. Discover Marseille's many great art museums
Marseille is surrounded by numerous historic museums that showcase city heritage. There are several excellent art museums, ranging from ancient beauty to modern art forms. The Cantini Museum is an essential sight for contemporary artists.
The museum is known for having a focus on the first half of the 20th century. A number of paintings are exhibited by the gallery, including some by Picasso, as well as some outstanding art of avantgardist Antonin Artaud. The Museum of Contemporary Arts displays work created after the 60s.
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17. Treat yourself to a street art tour exploring Le Cours Julien
Originally Marseille's Cours Julien district was an important market area but has since been famous with the street art. It attracted artists, musicians and artists in the vicinity, and subsequently transformed this street into an exciting bohemian destination definitely worthwhile visiting.
For a closer look at a more undiscovered side of a city, take a walking art tour. Two hours in, a knowledgeable guide guides you around many alleyways into shops and markets stuffed with great items and souvenirs, freshly baked breads and a few of our finest coffees.
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18. Dive down to the Musée Subaquatique de Marseille
The submarine museum is only 100 metres from the Catalan beaches and offers exceptional and unique experiences. This museum has an impressive underwater location. 10 sculptures made using recycled Ph-neutral cement are located below the ocean floor and are conceived as a display as well as an artificial reef for the species of fish.
There is a possibility to book guided tours at the Museum, and you can visit them for free. You can swim 100 meters out of the ocean.
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19. Catch the stunning sea views from Fort Saint-Jean
Fort Saint-Jean has been located within the Old Port since 1600 and has links through footbridges to the Museum for European and Mediterranean Civilisations (MuCEM. It has served many functions throughout its centuries.
The prisons of the French Revolution are now converted into military barracks to serve as the last stop for recruits in France before leaving to Africa. After being invaded by Nazi troops during the Second World War, it eventually became severely demolished during the following two decades. Afterwards, the site was extensively rebuilt from 1967 – 67.
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20. La Joliette, for the best designershops
20 years ago Marseille's Joliette area was a place with abandoned ports and dirty ferry docks that welcomed travelers from Corsica and Sardinia. The town now forms part of one of the biggest South European regeneration areas. For high street names and high style head to Les Terrasses du Port, a three-storey shopping center with a stylish restaurant on the ground floor.
The rooftops, however, are prized for skating in winter, drinking muled wine or relaxing in the restaurants in the summer. The view of the port is spectacular and the large cruise ship docks farther east.
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21. Discover Marseille's cultural scene at the Friche Belle de Mai
It is situated in a former tobacco factory in a sprawling 45,000 square metre area which contains 70 cultural sites. From cinemas to films on outdoor patios, dance and musical venues, everything is available here. Catch an exhibition, go to festivals or see concerts.
Read a book before you have lunch. It is a wonderful city culture space and will keep you busy for many hours. The offers change so make sure you check their calendar. Visit on weekends with DJ spinning tunes and amazing scenery on the rooftop terrace.
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22. Explore the charming Le Vallon des Auffes
Only 2.5 kilometers from the historic centre are Auffes Valley, a very unique fish village situated around a tiny port city. While technically part of the suburb of Marseilles the area feels far from the city, frozen in time, traditional huts of wooden fishing boats surround the harbor.
All seafood caught at this place can be enjoyed in local restaurants and you won't want not to try fresh seafood at your stay. L'Epuisette, restaurant renowned for its culinary excellence is tucked away in the middle of the popular local arched concrete bridge.
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23. Discover Marseille's wine tradition with a wine tour and tasting
The hills and countryside around Marseille boast a number of wineries that produce some the finest French wine. Those who want to taste wine can take several tour options to Marseille for an authentic wine tasting experience.
Full-day tours usually include some sightseeing bringing you along medieval villages, Roman ruins and famous sights including Pont d'Avignon, Luberon Regions and historic Aix-en-Provence.
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24. Shop till you drop at Marseille's best markets
Do you want to shop? Marseille has many great shopping markets. Prado market and Cours Julien farmers market offer fresh fruits or vegetables, as well as toys and clothes accessories. Cours Julien offers a great opportunity to buy artisanal produce.
The most popular flea market is Le Marché aux Puces in South-France. The shop runs Tuesday through Saturday and features an eclectic mix of secondhand books and home decor as well as antique and collectibles.
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25. Join a day trip to the picturesque Arles, Les Baux and Saint Remy towns
How should we explore Marseilles' beautiful towns? Make an overnight trip which incorporates an excursion from Arles to Saint Remy on the same day. Arles is famous for the ancient amphitheaters and the famed Van Gogh cafe.
Les Baux offer some gorgeous 16th-century buildings and are the perfect places for lunch. Saint Remy is usually the last destination on tour is where Saint Paul-de Mousole asylum where Van Gogh lived institutionalized and a beautiful village for shopping in outdoor markets.
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26. Grab a table at one of the city's best restaurants
Marseille is well known for its seafoods (particularly Bouillabaisse - a dense, rustic fish stew) but restaurant brands such as Le Petit Nice Passage have helped reposition that belief. Add an ocean view to this wonderful place for a day trip and a great evening.
A second restaurant with excellent sea views is Bord d'Emer that also serves local seasonal produce and specializes in South French cuisine. Chez Michel restaurants offer a local favorite for Bouillabaisse. Saisons offers seasonal Mediterranean foods on a menu.
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27. Try local delicacies during a food tour
Marseille is probably known for the bouillabaisse dish, but the old port has plenty of colourful fruits, fresh olives and plenty of Mediterranean fish. Combine this wonderful provençal herbal blend with an endless list of delicious culinary delights.
There are good food and excursions in the area. The expert staff can guide you through the historic neighborhood of Le Panier.
28. Visiting Marseille on a budget?
Marseille city pass can make you save time (no need to queue for the tickets to busier attractions) and even more. Offers a free unlimited ride to a number of attractions, with other attractions included, and a huge discount for some shops and theatres.
Among the top attractions in the passes are the African Oceanic and Native American Art Museums and Roman Docks Museums. 24-hour Pass is also offered. You can also take advantage of several free walks around town.
29. Test your smarts in one of Marseille's many escape games
Escape games are now popular all across the globe. During your visit to Marseille, it is possible to go one step further and play escape games in the entire town. It is an excellent opportunity to explore Marseille while solving puzzles, trying to escape the zombie invasion or solving a murder mystery.
All that's needed is a smartphone with 6 people to start an urban escape adventure. Follow all the clues and complete necessary missions in two hours while traveling to famous sites to find secret clues. Take your own walk to the best part and get your goals right!
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30. Experience history coming alive at the Musée des Docks Romains
Though small, the museum contains one of the few Roman warehouses that ever existed. In reconstructions performed following World War II, the maritime ruins are found and include remains of a building and a wall representing the historical Roman maritime trade.
A further item of art found in shipswreck found off the coast of Marseille includes 30 "Aphoras" and " dolias ", a pair of small ceramic jars used for storage of wine and alcoholic beverages. Further exhibits feature a wide array of historical information including mosaics of Roman baths nearby and scales and coins of a merchantship.
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