MAP
MAP
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STROLLS
| Name | Appeal | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vieux Port | ✦✦✦✦✧ | Marina |
| 2 | Le Panier | ✦✦✦✦✧ | Neighborhood |
| 3 | Cours Julien | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Street/Square + Stairs |
| 4 | La Plaine | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Square |
| 5 | Corniche Kennedy | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Ledge |
| 6 | Vallon des Auffes | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Marina |
| 7 | Endoume | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Coastal Path |
1. Vieux Port
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Marina
Full Name
Vieux-Port
The Old Port of Marseille is the city’s historic heart, a bustling harbor surrounded by lively quays lined with cafes, restaurants, and markets. This vibrant area has been the focal point of Marseille’s maritime activities.
2. Le Panier
Appeal ✦✦✦✦✧
Type Neighborhood
Full Name
Le Panier
Le Panier is Marseille’s oldest neighborhood, characterized by its narrow, winding streets and colorful facades. The district is also famous for its street art, with murals and graffiti adorning many of the buildings, reflecting the neighborhood’s bohemian spirit.
As you explore, you’ll find charming squares, where locals gather, and artisan shops selling everything from handmade soaps to ceramics.
3. Cours Julien
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Street/Square + Stairs
Full Name
Cours Julien
Known as Marseille’s bohemian quarter, Cours Julien is vibrant with street art, trendy bars, and eclectic shops. The square is a hub for creative types and offers a lively, youthful atmosphere. It’s ideal for a relaxed afternoon of people-watching and exploring local culture.
4. La Plaine
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Square
Full Names
La Plaine
Place Jean Jaurès
Around this square, the atmosphere feels very bohemian and alternative. The streets are full of cafés and restaurants often visited by a young and creative crowd.
The area is also known for its nightlife, with lively bars and friendly places where you can grab a bite or have a drink late into the night.
La Plaine and Cours Julien together create a dynamic urban area where alternative culture, simple food and a popular local vibe mix together. It is a great place for you to feel the contemporary energy of Marseille while enjoying a relaxed and authentic atmosphere.
5. Corniche Kennedy
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Ledge
Full Name
Corniche du Président John-Fitzgerald Kennedy
A scenic coastal road offering sweeping views of the Mediterranean and the Marseille coastline. Popular for walking or cycling, it’s a great way to enjoy the sea breeze and panoramic landscapes.
Constructed in the 19th century, it was later renamed in honor of President Kennedy following his assassination in 1963.
6. Vallon des Auffes
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Marina
Full Name
Port du Vallon des Auffes
A picturesque, small fishing harbor nestled in a rocky cove, offering a tranquil escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. It’s a charming spot to explore on foot, with colorful boats and quaint houses.
The marina is also famous for its arched bridge that spans the cove.
7. Endoume
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Coastal Path
Full Names
Endoume
Pointe Cadière
Maldormé
Fausse Monnaie
Endoume is often described as a village like neighborhood of Marseille, facing the sea. The atmosphere is calmer than in the city center, with residential streets, small local shops and a very local feel.
In this district you will also find typical neighborhood cafés. Some of them, especially those near the small port or along the streets going down toward the sea, attract locals who come to enjoy the view and watch the sunset over the Bay of Marseille.
Endoume has kept a very authentic spirit, mixing everyday life, friendly little addresses and immediate proximity to the coastline. It’s a good place for you to discover Marseille’s maritime side while enjoying a quieter setting.
FOOD MARKETS
| Name | Appeal | Opening | Setting | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Capucins | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Mon > Sat a.m. | Outdoor |
| 2 | Vieux Port | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Sun a.m. | Outdoor |
| 3 | Cours Julien | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Wed a.m. | Outdoor |
| 4 | La Plaine | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Tue-Thu-Sat a.m. | Outdoor |
| 5 | Joliette | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Mon > Fri a.m. | Outdoor |
| 6 | Prado | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Mon > Sat a.m. | Outdoor |
1. Capucins
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Opening Monday to Saturday mornings
Setting Outdoor
Full Names
Marché des Capucins
Marché Noailles
2. Vieux Port
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Opening Sunday mornings
Setting Outdoor
Full Name
Marché du Vieux Port
3. Cours Julien
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Opening Wednesday mornings
Setting Outdoor
Full Name
Marché Paysan du Cours Julien
4. La Plaine
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Opening mornings
Setting Outdoor
Full Name
Marché de la Plaine
5. Joliette
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Opening mornings
Setting Outdoor
Full Name
Marché de la Joliette
6. Prado
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Opening mornings
Setting Outdoor
Full Names
Marché du Prado
Marché Castellane
CHURCHES
| Name | Appeal | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marseille Cathedral | ✦✦✦✦✦ | Cathedral |
| 2 | Notre-Dame de la Garde | ✦✦✦✦✦ | Basilica |
| 3 | St-Vincent | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Church |
| 4 | St-Victor | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Abbey |
| 5 | Sacré-Cœur | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Basilica |
| 6 | St-Laurent | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Church |
1. Marseille Cathedral
Appeal ✦✦✦✦✦
Type Cathedral
Full Names
Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-Majeure
Cathédrale de La Major
The Marseille Cathedral is located at the edge of the Old Port. With its striking Byzantine-Roman style, characterized by alternating white and green limestone, the cathedral stands as one of the largest cathedrals in France and a prominent symbol of Marseille’s religious heritage.
The cathedral’s history dates back to the 12th century, though the current structure was built in the 19th century. It was constructed on the site of the old cathedral, which was integrated into the new design, creating a unique blend of architectural styles.
Inside, the cathedral features a grandiose nave with richly decorated mosaics and an array of sculptures depicting religious figures.
2. Notre-Dame de la Garde
Appeal ✦✦✦✦✦
Type Basilica
Full Names
Basilique Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde
La Bonne Mère
Perched atop the highest point in Marseille, Notre-Dame de la Garde is a striking basilica from the 19th century that offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city and the Mediterranean Sea. The basilica’s impressive Romano-Byzantine architecture, with its iconic golden statue of the Virgin Mary, makes it a symbol of Marseille.
Inside, the basilica boasts elaborate mosaics that depict scenes from the Bible and the life of the Virgin Mary. The interior is also adorned with marble and gold leaf, creating a striking contrast with the simplicity of the stone exterior.
⚙️ Hours (Tourist Office Website)
In the basement of the basilica, there is a small museum dedicated to the history of the site even before the basilica was built, showcasing a collection of various artifacts. There may also be temporary exhibitions.
The museum is explored through a self-visit and requires an entrance fee.
3. St. Vincent de Paul
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Church
Full Names
Église Saint-Vincent-de-Paul
Église Les Réformés
Constructed in the early 19th century, St. Vincent Church features Neo-Gothic architecture. It was built during a period of significant urban expansion in Marseille, reflecting the city’s growth and development.
4. St. Victor
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Abbey
Full Name
Abbaye Saint-Victor
St. Victor Abbey is a historic site in Marseille with a rich religious heritage, dating back to the early Christian period. The abbey’s architecture reflects its long history, with elements ranging from Romanesque to Gothic styles.
The abbey was founded in the 5th century in honor of Saint Victor, a Christian martyr from the 3rd century. It has undergone numerous changes and renovations over the centuries, including its fortification in the 14th century.
Notable features of St. Victor Abbey include its paid ancient crypts, which house a collection of religious artifacts that provide insights into its past.
5. Sacré-Cœur de Jésus
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Basilica
Full Name
Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Jésus
Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Marseille was built in the early 20th century after World War I. Its design incorporates elements of Neo-Romanesque and Neo-Byzantine architecture, contributing to its distinctive appearance.
The building was constructed to commemorate the 1720 plague that severely affected Marseille and to serve as a memorial for World War I.
6. St. Laurent
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Church
Full Name
Église Saint-Laurent
St. Laurent Church is a Romanesque-style church from the 13th century, historically associated with the fishermen of Marseille.
MUSEUMS
| Name | Appeal | Theme | € | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MUCEM | ✦✦✦✦✧ | The Mediterranean | €11 |
| 2 | Cosquer | ✦✦✦✦✧ | Parietal Art | €18 |
| 3 | Histoire de Marseille | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Local History | 0* |
| 4 | Fine Arts | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Fine Arts | 0* |
| 5 | Natural History | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Nat. History | 0* |
| 6 | Regards de Provence | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Modern & Contemporary Art | €8.50 |
| 7 | Cantini | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Modern Art | 0* |
| 8 | Frac Sud | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Contemporary Art | €5 |
| 9 | MAC | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Contemporary Art | 0* |
| 10 | Château Borely | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Faience & Fashion | 0* |
| 11 | Savon de Marseille | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Soap | €3 |
| 12 | Savon de Marseille | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Soap Factory | 0 (Guided) |
| 13 | Maison Yellow | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Anise | 0 |
| 14 | La Boule Bleue | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Petanque | 0 |
| 15 | Marcel Carbonel | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Local Figurines | 0 (Guided) |
| 16 | Archéologie Méditerranéenne | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Archeology | 0* |
| 17 | MAAOA | ✦✧✧✧✧ | World Arts | 0* |
| 18 | Marseille Illusion | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Illusion | €13 |
| 19 | Préau des Accoules | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Art for Kids | 0* |
| 20 | Deportation Memorial | ✦✧✧✧✧ | WWII Deportation | 0* |
| 21 | La Friche | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Cultural Center | €8 |
| 22 | Le Corbusier | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Modernist Housing Block | €18 (Guided) |
| 23 | Moto | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Motorbike | 0 |
0* = Free for the permanent exhibitions and paid for the temporary exhibitions.
1. MUCEM
Appeal ✦✦✦✦✧
Theme The Mediterranean
Price €11
Full Names
Musée des Civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée
MUCEM
The Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations (MUCEM) is a modern architectural marvel located at the entrance of Marseille’s Old Port. This museum is dedicated to exploring the rich cultural heritage of the Mediterranean region, offering a wide range of exhibits that span history, art, and anthropology.
The MUCEM was inaugurated in 2013 as part of Marseille’s designation as the European Capital of Culture.
Notable features of the MUCEM include its latticework facade, which casts intricate shadows on the interior spaces, and the panoramic views from its rooftop terrace.
The adjoining Fort St. Jean, connected to the museum by a footbridge, adds a historical dimension to the visit, offering insights into Marseille’s military past.
⚙️ Hours & Prices (Official Website)
2. Cosquer
Appeal ✦✦✦✦✧
Theme Parietal Art
Price €18
Full Name
Cosquer Méditerranée
The Cosquer Museum is a fascinating cultural site that recreates the prehistoric Cosquer Cave, which lies submerged off the coast of Marseille. The museum offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore replicas of the cave’s ancient paintings and carvings, which date back over 27,000 years.
The original Cosquer Cave was discovered in 1985 and quickly became a site of immense archaeological importance. The cave’s artworks provide valuable insights into the lives of the people who inhabited the region during the Upper Paleolithic period. Due to rising sea levels, much of the cave is now underwater, making the museum an essential preservation effort to showcase this priceless heritage.
The museum also features exhibits related to prehistory.
3. Histoire de Marseille
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Theme Local History Museum
Price Free*
Full Name
Musée d’Histoire de Marseille
The Museum offers an overview of the city’s history and development through various exhibits and artifacts. It aims to document and interpret the city’s rich past, from its founding around 600 BC to the present day, with a focus on its maritime history and its role as a key Mediterranean port.
4. Fine Arts
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Theme Art Museum
Price Free*
Full Names
Musée des Beaux-Arts
MBA
The Fine Arts Museum, established in the early 19th century is located in one of the wings of Longchamp Palace. Ithouses works ranging from the Renaissance through the 19th century. Its collection includes paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts.
5. Natural History
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Theme Natural History Museum
Price Free*
Full Name
Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle
The Natural History Museum established in the 19th century is located in one of the wings of Longchamp Palace.
It features a collection that spans various aspects of the natural world, including fossils, minerals, and animal specimens.
6. Regards de Provence
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Theme Classic & Modern Art Museum
Price €8.50
Full Names
Musée Regards de Provence
Fondation Regards de Provence
Regards de Provence is a museum dedicated to the art of the Provence region, showcasing a variety of works, including paintings and sculptures, from both the classic and modern periods.
7. Cantini
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Theme Modern Art Museum
Price Free*
Full Name
Musée Cantini
The Cantini Museum focuses on modern art, featuring a diverse collection of works primarily from 1900 to 1960, including major artistic movements such as Post-Impressionism, Fauvism, and Cubism.
The museum is housed in a 17th-century manison.
8. Frac Sud
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Theme Contemporary Art Museum
Price €5
Full Names
FRAC Sud
Cité de l’Art Contemporain
FRAC, which stands for “Regional Fund for Contemporary Art,” is an official French label granted to cultural institutions that build collections of contemporary artworks. Its mission is to support contemporary art and raise public awareness of it.
9. MAC
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Theme Contemporary Art Museum
Price Free*
Full Name
MAC
Musee d’Art Contemporain de Marseille
The Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC) in Marseille offers a range of contemporary art exhibits from 1960 to today.
10. Château Borely
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Theme Castle + Faience & Fashion Museum
Price Free*
Full Names
Château Borély
Musée des Arts Décoratifs, de la Faïence et de la Mode
Château Borély, located in the park of the same name, is a historic building constructed in the 18th century. It now serves as a museum dedicated to decorative arts, faience, and fashion.
11. Savon de Marseille
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Theme Soap
Price €3
Full Names
Musée du Savon de Marseille
Savonnerie Marseillaise de la Licorne
The museum provides insight into the history and craftsmanship of this iconic product, which has been a staple of local culture for centuries.
⚙️ Hours & Prices (Official Website)
La Licorne is a company dedicated to the production of traditional Marseille soap. They operate shops, a factory, and a museum. The two locations are within walking distance of each other, and both have shops where visitors can buy the traditional soap.
12. Savon de Marseille (Factory)
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Theme Soap Museum & Factory
Price Free (Guided Visit only)
Full Name
Atelier de Fabrication de la Savonnerie de la Licorne
The factory showcases the soap-making process, including the techniques and ingredients used in the production of Marseille soap.
13. Maison Yellow
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Theme Anise (Museum, Shop & Bar)
Price Free
Full Names
Maison Yellow
Musée de l’Anis
Maison Yellow is a unique museum and shop dedicated to the exploration of anise, the key ingredient in the famous traditional Provençal liqueur known as Pastis. The museum offers an in-depth look at this aromatic herb and liqueur.
The place also functions as a shop, bar, and restaurant.
14. La Boule Bleue
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Theme Petanque (Museum & Shop)
Price Free
Full Names
La Boule Bleue
La Maison de la Boule
La Boule Bleue is a Marseille institution linked to pétanque, the iconic game of southern France. This family company has been producing pétanque balls since the early twentieth century and today it remains the last artisanal manufacturer of its kind in Marseille.
The company first became known for selling the original wooden balls covered with nails, before creating in 1947 the famous bluish steel ball that gave the brand its name. Today it still produces high end competition balls made of stainless steel or carbon steel.
Part of the production is still personalized. You can order a set of three balls engraved with your name. On site, a small demonstration pitch even lets you practice your pointing technique, while a slideshow presents the history of this company founded in 1904.
15. Marcel Carbonel
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Theme Local Figurines (Workshop & Shop)
Price Free (Guided Visit only)
Full Name
Ateliers Marcel Carbonel – Santons & Art de Vivre Provençal
This workshop is one of the best known Santon makers in Marseille. It has kept the tradition of Provençal santons alive since 1935. These small painted clay figurines are used to create traditional Christmas nativity scenes.
You can see the different stages of production, molding, drying, firing and finally painting the figurines.
The creations stay faithful to traditional models, pastoral characters, village figures and scenes from everyday Provençal life. This workshop shows how lively this local craft still is and how deeply it remains rooted in Provençal culture.
16. Archéologie Méditerranéenne
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Theme Archeology Museum
Price Free*
Full Names
Musée d’Archéologie Méditerranéenne
MAM
The Mediterranean Museum focuses on the archaeology and history of the Mediterranean region. It provides insights into ancient civilizations and their interactions with the Mediterranean Sea. The collection notably includes items from ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt.
It’s located inside the Old Charity historic building.
17. MAAOA
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Theme Art Museum
Price Free*
Full Names
MAAOA
Musée des Arts Africains, Océaniens et Amérindiens
The MAAOA Museum is dedicated to the art and cultures of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas. The museum’s collection offers a diverse array of artworks and artifacts, including masks, sculptures, and textiles from various indigenous cultures.
It’s located inside the Old Charity historic building.
18. Marseille Illusion
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Theme Illusion Museum
Price €13
Full Name
Musée de l’Illusion Marseille
The Marseille Illusion Museum offers a fun and mind-bending experience with a variety of optical illusions and interactive displays.
19. Préau des Accoules
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Theme Art for Kids
Price Free*
Full Names
Préau des Accoules
Musée des Enfants
Préau des Accoules is a museum for children in Marseille, designed to offer educational and interactive experiences for younger audiences. Adults are also welcome.
A variety of themes are explored here, including archaeology, regional heritage, history, photography, fine arts, African and American cultures, contemporary art, and more.
The museum is housed in an early 18th-century building constructed by Jesuits.
20. Deportation Memorial
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Theme WWII Deportation Museum
Price Free*
Full Name
Mémorial des Déportations
The Deportation Memorial is a museum dedicated to honoring the victims of WWII deportations, providing a somber reflection on the impact of the Holocaust and wartime persecution. It was inaugurated in 1995 on the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the concentration camps.
21. La Friche
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Theme Cultural Center
Price €8
Full Names
La Friche
Friche la Belle de Mai
La Friche is a cultural center established in 1992. It’s housed in a former tobacco factory, which has been repurposed to serve as a hub for artistic and cultural activities. The center offers a range of events, including concerts, theater performances, and art exhibitions.
22. Le Corbusier
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Theme Modernist Housing Block
Price €18 (Guided Visit only)
Full Names
Le Corbusier
Cité radieuse
Unité d’Habitation
Maison du Fada
Le Corbusier’s modernist housing block, built in the mid-20th century, is a pioneering example of architectural innovation from that era.
This residential complex embodies architect Le Corbusier‘s vision of urban living and architectural functionality, characterized by its use of raw concrete and modular design.
The building also features a rooftop terrace with panoramic views of Marseille.
23. Moto
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Theme Motorbike Museum
Price Free
Full Name
Musée de la Moto
The Motorbike Museum showcases a collection of vintage and contemporary motorcycles, reflecting the evolution of motorcycle design and technology.
LANDMARKS
| Name | Appeal | Type | € | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Jean Fort | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Fort | 0 |
| 2 | Palais Longchamp | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Monument + Fountains | 0 |
| 3 | St. Nicolas Fort | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Fort | €12 (Guided) |
| 4 | Vieille Charité | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Former Almshouse | 0 |
1. St. Jean Fort
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Fort
Price Free
Full Name
Fort Saint-Jean
Fort Saint-Jean is a historic fortification constructed in the 17th at the entrance of Marseille’s Old Port, serving as a testament to the city’s military past. The fort’s imposing walls and strategic position made it a key defense point throughout Marseille’s history.
Notable elements of Fort Saint-Jean include its watchtowers, which offer panoramic views of the Old Port and the Mediterranean Sea.
It is now integrated into the MUCEM museum complex via a footbridge.
2. Palais Longchamp
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Monument + Fountains
Price Free
Full Name
Palais Longchamp
Longchamp Palace, located in Marseille, is an architectural landmark known for its distinctive blend of Renaissance and Baroque styles. The palace is most famous for its grand water tower and park.
Constructed in the mid-19th century, Longchamp Palace was designed to celebrate the completion of a new water supply system for Marseille.
It houses two museums, one in each of its lateral wings: the Fine Arts Museum and the Natural History Museum, detailed in the corresponding category.
3. St. Nicolas Fort
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Fort
Price €12 (Guided Visit only)
Full Names
Fort Saint-Nicolas
Citadelle de Marseille
Opposite St. Jean Fort, St. Nicolas Fort guards the Old Port and provides impressive views of the city. It has a more rugged feel compared to its counterpart and is less crowded. A quieter spot for those interested in Marseille’s maritime defense history.
The ramparts are freely accessible at no cost. The inner part of the castle can only be visited through a paid guided tour.
4. Vieille Charité
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Former Almshouse
Price Free
Full Name
Centre de la Vieille Charité
The Old Charity is a historic building from the 17th century that originally served as an almshouse and now functions as a cultural center.
It houses two museums: the Mediterranean Archaeology Museum on the first floor and the Museum of African, Oceanian, and American Art on the second floor. Both are detailed in the corresponding section.
PARKS
| Name | Appeal | Type | € | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Borély | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Park | 0 |
| 2 | Magalone | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Park | 0 |
| 3 | Longchamp | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Park | 0 |
| 4 | Pharo | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Park | 0 |
1. Borély
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Park
Price Free
Full Name
Parc Borély
Jardin Borély
Borely Park is a spacious green area featuring gardens, fountains, scenic paths, and children’s playgrounds.
⚙️ Hours (Tourist Office Website – Fr)
Behind the park, there is a botanical garden. However, access to it is only available by registration through this page (in French).
2. Magalone
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Park
Price Free
Full Name
Jardin de la Magalone
Parc Magalone was once a private estate featuring a mansion and a garden and has now become a public park.
3. Longchamp
Appeal ✦✧✧✧
Type Park
Price Free
Full Name
Parc Longchamp
Parc Longchamp surrounds the palace of the same name and is one of the main green spaces in central Marseille. It is a protected site and very popular with locals, who often come here to relax in the sun or go for a walk.
The park has wide lawns and pleasant paths that invite you to wander around in an elegant setting dominated by the monumental architecture of the palace.
This green space offers a pleasant break in the middle of the city, a place where you can rest and enjoy some time outdoors.
4. Pharo
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Park
Price Free
Full Names
Jardin du Pharo
Parc Émile Duclaux
The Pharo park, also called Emile Duclos park, is located on a promontory overlooking the Old Port and the Mediterranean Sea. This lush green space offers panoramic views of Marseille’s coastline, making it a popular spot for both locals and tourists seeking a tranquil escape.
The garden is named after the nearby Palais du Pharo, a grand palace built by Napoleon III in the 19th century as a gift for his wife. It’s closed to public.
BEACHES
| Name | Appeal | Type | Length | € | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalans | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Sand | 100m (330ft) | Public |
| 2 | Prophète | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Sand | 180m (600ft) | Public |
| 3 | Prado Nord | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Coarse Sand | 250m (820ft) | Public |
| 4 | Prado Sud | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Coarse Sand | 250m (820ft) | Public |
| 5 | Bonneveine | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Coarse Sand | 430m (1400ft) | Public/Private |
| 6 | Pointe Rouge | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Sand | 250m (820ft) | Public/Private |
1. Catalans
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Sand
Length 100m (330ft)
Ownership Public
Full Name
Plage des Catalans
2. Prophète
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Sand
Length 180m (600ft)
Ownership Public
Full Name
Plage du Prophète
3. Prado Nord
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Coarse Sand
Length 250m (820ft)
Ownership Public
Full Names
Plage du Prado Nord
Plage du Roucas Blanc
4. Prado Sud
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Coarse Sand
Length 250m (820ft)
Ownership Public
Full Names
Plage du Prado Sud
Plage de David
5. Bonneveine
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Sand
Length 430m (1400ft)
Ownership Public and Private
Full Name
Plage de Bonneveine
6. Pointe Rouge
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Coarse Sand
Length 250m (820ft)
Ownership Public and Private
Full Name
Plage de la Pointe Rouge
VIEWPOINTS
| Name | Appeal | Type | € | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Notre-Dame de la Garde | ✦✦✦✦✦ | Basilica | 0 |
| 2 | Pharo Park | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Parc | 0 |
| 3 | St. Jean Fort | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Fort | 0 |
| 4 | St. Nicolas Fort | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Fort | 0 |
1. Notre-Dame de la Garde
Appeal ✦✦✦✦✦
Type Basilica
Full Names
Basilique Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde
La Bonne Mère
2. Pharo
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Park
Price Free
Full Names
Jardin du Pharo
Parc Émile Duclaux
3. St. Jean Fort
4. St. Nicolas Fort
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Fort
Price Free
Full Names
Fort Saint-Nicolas
Citadelle de Marseille
The ramparts are freely accessible at no cost. The inner part of the castle can only be visited through a paid guided tour.
ISLANDS
| Name | Appeal | Type | € | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Château d'If | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Island/Fort | €7 |
| 2 | Frioul | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Archipelago | 0 |
1. Château d'If
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Island/Fort
Price €7
Full Names
Château d’If
Île d’If
Located on a rocky islet at the entrance of Marseille’s harbor, the Château d’If stands facing the city and forms one of the most recognizable landmarks of the Marseille seascape. From the coastline you can easily see its isolated silhouette in the middle of the sea, next to the islands of Frioul.
The site is strongly linked to literary imagination thanks to Alexandre Dumas. In his famous novel The Count of Monte Cristo, he places the imprisonment of Edmond Dantès in the Château d’If. This connection helped make the place famous around the world.
Even today this fortress in the middle of the Mediterranean keeps a specific atmosphere. Its isolated position and its story, mixing real history and literary legend, make it one of the excursions you can take from Marseille.
2. Frioul
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Archipelago
Full Names
Archiepel du Frioul
Île Ratonneau
Île Pomègues
The Frioul archipelago, mainly made up of the islands of Pomègues and Ratonneau, lies just opposite Marseille. Connected by a dike since the early nineteenth century, these islands now form a maritime district of the city.
The landscape is very mineral. The former forests disappeared over time, leaving bare rock shaped by the wind and scattered with a few shrubs. The islands are relatively flat, which makes them ideal for walking and day trips.
You can discover small hidden coves with clear water that are often quiet, as well as impressive views over Marseille and its harbor. On Ratonneau island you can also see the ruins of the Caroline hospital, built to isolate contagious patients, along with military remains such as blockhouses built during the Second World War.
The Frioul archipelago therefore offers a unique natural and historical setting, creating a striking contrast with the busy center of Marseille.
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