Marseille Things To Do

Vieux Port
The Old Port features defensive forts, fascinating old buildings, atmospheric street cafes, lively squares like Place Thiars, legendary streets like the Canebière, and sights that include Abbeye Saint Victor, Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde and the Hotel de Ville. The narrow streets of immigrant neighbourhoods like Le Paniers are packed with atmosphere and interest. The working harbour is a vibrant busy place. Try to get to the amazing morning fish market. Cross the harbour on the old ferry.

Sightseeing
The 19th century Romanesque-Byzantine basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde is Marseille’s most famous landmark. Striking mosaics and superb views of the city and bay. 5th century Abbeye Saint Victor has splendid catacombs and crypt. Explore the city’s oldest streets in the Quartier du Panier and admire the attractive ensemble of 17th century buildings of the Vieille Charité. The Palais du Pharo has spectacular rooms and gardens and wonderful sea views. Marseille cathedral is an intriguing example of medieval architecture. Take a ferry to Chateau d'If, the island fortress prison setting of the novel The Count of Monte Cristo. Rewarding boat trips to the Calanques, a series of scenic fjords.

Beaches
The best Marseille beach near the centre is Plage des Catalans. The Corniche road makes a great walk: a 2 mile stretch of seafront leading to sandy Plage du Prado. The walk will take you past the pretty fishing neighbourhood of Vallon des Auffes and Parc Borély with its boating lake, chateau and botanical gardens. Excellent Marseilles beaches at La Pointe Rouge and on the Malmousque peninsula. Visit picturesque outlying fishing villages like La Baie des Singes, les Goudes, La Madrague and Callelongue.

Restaurants & Nightlife
Marseille’s strikingly multicultural make-up ensures a wide variety of world cuisines with particularly good North African food. Marseille offers everything from market food stalls and ethnic cafes to ice cream parlours, classic French brasseries and sophisticated upmarket restaurants overlooking the Vieux Port and the beaches. Try bouillabaisse and ratatouille. The city’s distinct neighbourhoods offer everything from sophistication to sleaze in a highly entertaining choice of bars and clubs. The city is particularly good for live music: a diverse cosmopolitan scene that takes in jazz, salsa, African music, hip hop and traditional French folk. Marseille also has a thriving gay and clubbing scene.

Museums & Galleries
There are over 80 museums in Marseille! Two of the most interesting are the Fashion Museum and the Musée d'Arts Africains, Océaniens, Amérindiens with its exceptional collection of ethnic art. The Musée Cantini modern art collection includes Picasso, Matisse, Ernst, Miro, Bathus and Bacon. The Musée de Beaux Arts features the beautiful Palais Lonchamps. Musée Grobet Labadie boasts a terrific collection of Louis XV and Louis XVI furniture, and outstanding medieval sculpture and tapestries. The Musée de la Faience focuses on ceramics. For an overview of Marseille history head for the Musée d’Histoire de Marseille.

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