35 Less Touristy Things to Do
| Name | Appeal | Type | Visit | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Maison Yellow | ★★☆☆☆ | Museum/Shop - Anise | Self | Free |
| 02 | St. Victor Abbey | ★★☆☆☆ | Abbey | Self | Free |
| 03 | Marseille Soap | ★☆☆☆☆ | Museum/Factory - Soap | Either | Either |
| 04 | Tuk Tuk Tour | ★★☆☆☆ | Tuk Tuk Excursion | Tour | Paid |
| 05 | Marseille Tourist Train | ★★☆☆☆ | City Train Tour | Tour | Paid |
| 06 | St. Vincent Church | ★★☆☆☆ | Church | Self | Free |
| 07 | Sacré-Cœur Basilica | ★★☆☆☆ | Basilica | Self | Free |
| 08 | Longchamp Palace | ★☆☆☆☆ | Palace + Park | Outside | Free |
| 09 | Fine Arts Museum | ★☆☆☆☆ | Museum - Art | Self | Free |
| 10 | Natural History Museum | ★☆☆☆☆ | Museum - Nat. History | Self | Free |
| 11 | Le Corbusier | ★☆☆☆☆ | Modernist Housing Block | Guided | Paid |
| 12 | Old Charity | ★☆☆☆☆ | Former Almshouse | Outside | Free |
| 13 | Mediterranean Museum | ★☆☆☆☆ | Museum - Archeology | Self | Free |
| 14 | MAAOA Museum | ★☆☆☆☆ | Museum - Non-European Art | Self | Free |
| 15 | Marseille Museum | ★☆☆☆☆ | Museum - Marseille History | Self | Free |
| 16 | Regards de Provence | ★☆☆☆☆ | Museum - Art | Self | Paid |
| 17 | La Friche | ★☆☆☆☆ | Cultural Center | Self | Either |
| 18 | Cantini Museum | ★☆☆☆☆ | Museum - Modern Art | Self | Free |
| 19 | MAC Museum | ★☆☆☆☆ | Museum - Contemporary Art | Self | Free |
| 20 | Le Frac Museum | ★☆☆☆☆ | Museum - Contemporary Art | Self | Paid |
| 21 | Préau des Accoules | ★☆☆☆☆ | Museum for Kids | Self | Free |
| 22 | Marseille Illusion | ★☆☆☆☆ | Museum - Illusion | Self | Paid |
| 23 | Deportation Memorial | ★☆☆☆☆ | Museum - WWII Deportation | Self | Free |
| 24 | Motorbike Museum | ★☆☆☆☆ | Museum - Motorbike | Self | Free |
| 25 | Château Borely | ★☆☆☆☆ | Museum - Faience & Fashion | Self | Free |
| 26 | Borely Park | ★☆☆☆☆ | Park | Self | Free |
| 27 | Pierre Puget Park | ★☆☆☆☆ | Park + Panorama | Self | Free |
| 28 | Château de la Buzine | ★☆☆☆☆ | Castle + Exhibitions | Self | Paid |
| 29 | St. Laurent Church | ★☆☆☆☆ | Church | Self | Free |
| 30 | St. Nicolas Church | ★☆☆☆☆ | Church | Self | Free |
| 31 | St. Ferréol Church | ★☆☆☆☆ | Church | Self | Free |
| 32 | Colorbus | ★☆☆☆☆ | Hop-On Hop-Off Bus | Tour | Paid |
| 33 | Big Wheel | ★☆☆☆☆ | Ferris Wheel | Self | Paid |
| 34 | Velodrome Stadium | ★☆☆☆☆ | Football Stadium | Self | Paid |
| 35 | Magalone Park | ★☆☆☆☆ | Park | Self | Free |
01. Maison Yellow
Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Type Anise Museum, Shop & Bar
Visit Self
Cost Free
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.
02. St. Victor Abbey
Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Type Abbey
Visit Self
Cost Free
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 ancient crypts, which house a collection of religious artifacts that provide insights into its past.
03. Marseille Soap La Licorne
Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Type Soap Museum & Factory
Visit Self or Guided
Cost Free or Paid
La Licorne is a company dedicated to the production of traditional Marseille soap. They operate shops, a factory, and a museum. You can visit the paid museum on a self-guided tour and/or the factory on a free guided tour (they are located at two different sites within walking distance). Both locations also feature shops where visitors can purchase the traditional soap.
The museum provides insight into the history and craftsmanship of this iconic product, which has been a staple of local culture for centuries.
The factory showcases the soap-making process, including the techniques and ingredients used in the production of Marseille soap.
04. Tuk Tuk Tour
Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Type Tuk Tuk Excursion
Visit Tour
Cost Paid
A Tuk Tuk Tour offers a fun way to explore Marseille’s landmarks and neighborhoods. These small, electric vehicles provide a different city experience.
05. Marseille Tourist Train
Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Type City Train Tour
Visit Tour
Cost Paid
The Marseille Tourist Train is a charming way to discover the city’s major attractions and neighborhoods. The train offers informative commentary and a comfortable ride through the city’s highlights.
2 different routes are offered within the city.
Additionally, 1 route is available in July and August on the Frioul Island, which is located off the coast of Marseille.
06. St. Vincent de Paul Church
Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Type Church
Visit Self
Cost Free
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.
07. Sacré-Cœur de Jésus Basilica
Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Type Basilica
Visit Self
Cost Free
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.
08. Longchamp Palace & Park
Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Type Palace + Park
Visit Outside only
Cost Free
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 below.
09. Fine Arts Museum
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Art Museum
Visit Self
Cost Free
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.
10. Natural History Museum
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Natural History Museum
Visit Self
Cost Free
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.
11. Le Corbusier
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Modernist Housing Block
Visit Guided
Cost Paid
Le Corbusier’s modernist housing block, built in the mid-20th century, is a pioneering example of architectural innovation from that era.
Known as the Cité Radieuse, 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.
12. Old Charity
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Former Almshouse,
Visit Outside only
Cost Free
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 below.
13. Mediterranean Museum
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Archeology Museum
Visit Self
Cost Free
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.
14. MAAOA Museum
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Art Museum
Visit Self or Guided
Cost Free or Paid
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.
15. Marseille History Museum
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Marseille History Museum
Visit Self
Cost Free
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.
16. Regards de Provence
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Classic & Modern Art Museum
Visit Self
Cost Paid
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.
17. La Friche
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Cultural Center
Visit Self
Cost Free or Paid
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.
18. Cantini Museum
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Modern Art Museum
Visit Self
Cost Free
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.
19. MAC Museum
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Contemporary Art Museum
Visit Self
Cost Free
The Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC) in Marseille offers a range of contemporary art exhibits from 1960 to today.
20. Le Frac Museum
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Contemporary Art Museum
Visit Self
Cost Free
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.
21. Préau des Accoules Museum
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Art Museum for Kids
Visit Self
Cost Free
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.
22. Marseille Illusion Museum
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Illusion Museum
Visit Self
Cost Paid
The Marseille Illusion Museum offers a fun and mind-bending experience with a variety of optical illusions and interactive displays.
23. Deportation Memorial Museum
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type WWII Deportation Museum
Visit Self
Cost Free
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.
24. Motorbike Museum
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Motorbike Museum
Visit Self
Cost Free
The Motorbike Museum showcases a collection of vintage and contemporary motorcycles, reflecting the evolution of motorcycle design and technology.
25. Château Borely
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Castle + Faience & Fashion Museum
Visit Self
Cost Free
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.
26. Borely Park
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Park
Visit Self
Cost Free
Borely Park is a spacious green area featuring gardens, fountains, scenic paths, and children’s playgrounds.
Behind the park, there is a botanical garden. However, access to it is only available by registration through this page (in French).
27. Pierre Puget Park
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Park + Panorama
Visit Self
Cost Free
Pierre Puget Park is situated on a hill and offers views of the surrounding areas of the city. It also has a children’s playground.
28. Château de la Buzine
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Castle + Exhibitions
Visit Self
Cost Paid
Château de la Buzine is a castle located on the outskirts of Marseille. Built in the 19th century and purchased a century later by the French writer Marcel Pagnol, the site remains closely associated with him.
Today, Château de la Buzine has become the House of Mediterranean Cinematographies, a cultural venue dedicated to various forms of artistic expression.
29. St. Laurent Church
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Church
Visit Self
Cost Free
St. Laurent Church is a Romanesque-style church from the 13th century, historically associated with the fishermen of Marseille.
30. St. Nicolas de Myre Church
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Church
Visit Self
Cost Free
Founded in 1821, Saint-Nicolas-de-Myre Church is a Greek Catholic church (Melkite Rite). It is the oldest Eastern church in Europe.
31. St. Ferréol Church
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Church
Visit Self
Cost Free
The Church of Saint-Ferréol-les-Augustins dates back to the 15th century and is easily recognizable by its white façade, located on the Old Port.
32. Colorbus
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
Visit Self
Cost Free
The Colorbus offers a convenient hop-on hop-off service around Marseille’s main attractions. It provides a flexible way to explore the city at your own pace.
33. Big Wheel
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Ferris Wheel
Visit Self
Cost Paid
The Big Wheel of Marseille, located at the entrance to Prado Beach, offers a classic Ferris wheel experience with panoramic views of the city.
34. Velodrome Stadium
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Football Stadium
Visit Self
Cost Paid
Opened in 1937 and renovated several times, the Vélodrome Stadium is the home of Olympique de Marseille, one of France’s top football clubs.
You can visit the stadium outside of match days to explore the club’s history or attend a match, which often takes place in the evening.
35. Magalone Park
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Park
Visit Self
Cost Free
Parc Magalone was once a private estate featuring a mansion and a garden and has now become a public park.
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