Visit Marseille, a breathtaking city with a thousand facets

Visiting Marseille is a delightfully unsettling experience. Marseille is a city of a thousand facets, high contrasts and vibrant colors. It's also a city that leaves no one indifferent, and one that has inspired many artists since time immemorial. Why visit? If you don't already know, follow us as we give you some excellent reasons.

Why visit Marseille?

Marseille is a port city at the crossroads of Europe and Africa. Within our beautiful PACA region, it is the second largest city in France. And yet, its wealth is little known to many French people. When it is, it's primarily for soccer and the Olympique de Marseille's velodrome stadium - l'OM, a legendary team. But to focus on this cliché would be to miss out on a city of incredible contrasts and colors. Above all, Marseille is the oldest city in France. It's steeped in history, which can be seen on its facades and throughout the city. To visit Marseille is first and foremost to be overwhelmed by this grand lady of millennia-old architecture, yet open to the Mediterranean and its unreal sunsets. The sea is omnipresent in the city. Marseille is vast, and its facets are many. That's why you should visit it.

The old port

When you think of Marseille, the first thing that comes to mind is the old port. With its typical fishermen's market and old cafés still serving "pastaga". A symbol of the city, located at the foot of the Canebière, it's an important landmark for the people of Marseille. It's also home to the world's smallest cruise ship. It's also in Marseille, thanks to a Ferry Boat that has linked the two shores of the port since 1880. And it's 283 meters long!

La bonne mère, a jewel of beauty that reigns over Marseille

The old port also offers a breathtaking view of La Bonne Mère, otherwise known as the Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde. It was in 1214 that the site was used as a base for the first chapel. And in 1853, the foundation stone of the Bonne Mère as we know it was laid. The building will certainly surprise you with its contrast. On the outside, the walls are almost white, sober and majestic. Inside, a veritable jewel box bathed in color and gold. Here again, a grande dame reigning over the city from the 154-metre high hill of La Garde, with extremely intimate interior dimensions.

The basket, setting for the "Plus belle la vie" series

Visiting Marseille also means strolling through the settings of a TV soap that's been on the air for years, and the basket will inevitably seduce you. The historic heart of Marseille is one of the city's original and founding districts. It's even the oldest part of the site where the Greek colony of Massalia was established over 2,600 years ago! For a long time considered a place of trafficking and banditry, it has now been completely rehabilitated. Serenity has returned, the facades have been repainted, and today you'll find small vinyl vendors and craft stores: it has indeed become the city's must-see tourist site. You'll love strolling through the narrow, flower-filled streets of this typical district, in the shade of a sun that often "beats down"!

Visiting Marseille also means being "blown away" by its calanques

The islands of Frioul and the Château d'If spring to mind. These picturesque sites are extremely easy to visit on cruises departing from the old port. The calanques offer a sometimes lunar landscape, especially as you pass the picturesque village of Les Goudes. The Parc National des Calanques is a natural wonder, containing exceptional biodiversity. In particular, it boasts lush underwater vegetation.

Marseilles is also a candidate for the "100 climate-neutral cities by 2030" program. By changing the way the territory is used, the city would become a leader in the Mediterranean's commitment to the environment.

When to visit Marseille

All seasons are interesting for planning your visit. In summer, and even as early as spring, you can enjoy the beaches: wild or closer to the city, like Prado, for example. Out of season, you'll feel as if Marseille belongs to you. The climate is so mild that it's not unusual to be able to walk around in a t-shirt during the Christmas holidays!

A hotel 1h30 from Marseille

Visiting Marseille can be done in one or two days. We recommend booking a hotel in the hinterland. This will allow you to enjoy the region's exceptional landscapes and typical architecture. You'll also be able to observe the rich fauna, sample typical dishes (the Camargue is also the home of bouillabaisse) while listening to flamenco, or take a horseback ride on a Camargue beach. Our 4-star hotel in Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer is a true resort, where you can recharge your batteries between your various discovery stops in the region. Contact us to book your room or gardian's hut..

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