Location: Marseille
Top Things to do in Marseille
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What to do and see in Marseille, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur: The Best Things to do Good for Kids
Travelers visit the port city of Marseille, the third largest city in France, for the meeting of style and history. The bay, flanked by Fort Saint-Nicolas, and Fort Saint-Jean shelters the Castle of If, from Count of Monte Cristo fame. Watched over by the basilica Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, the city's pedestrian zones and shopping areas (including the colorful French-African quarter) mix with historical sites.Travelers looking for a fun time go to the OK Corral, a cowboy theme amusement park.
Restaurants in Marseille
1. Parc National des Calanques
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,949 reviews
Reviewed By milgil24 - Sydney, Australia
The stunning natural beauty of the Calanques along the South Coast of France is a must do. We went on a boat tour which departed from Marseille (booked through Airbnb experience) which was amazing, but there are so many ways to visit this national park.
2. Randonnees theatrales Marcel Pagnol Cie Dans la cour des Grands
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 493 reviews
3. Savonnerie du Midi
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 53 reviews
4. Chateau d'If
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,725 reviews
This famous fortress, standing on a rocky island off the coast of Marseille, was immortalised by Alexandre Dumas in The Count of Monte Cristo as the prison where the novel’s hero, Edmond Dantes, was incarcerated before ultimately escaping. The castle was built by Francois I in 1524 and over the centuries it gained a fearsome reputation as many opponents of royal power were jailed and died in the fortress. The Castle of If has been perfectly preserved and is one of the most impressive historical sites on the Mediterranean coastline. Open: > 15th May to 20th September: from 9.30 a.m. to 6.15 p.m. > 21st September to 14th May: from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. The last visit depends on the timetable of boats, information at the tourist information center, on our website monuments-nationaux.fr or on Frioul If express. Closed: > Mondays from 21st September to 14th May. > 1st January, 25th December and subject to bad weather. Admission fees: Adults : 5,50 €; Concessions (18 to 25) = 4 €; Free admission: minors under 18*; Free admission: 18-25 years old* (citizens of one of the 27 countries of the EU or are non-European permanent residents of France) * excluding school groups.
Reviewed By tanyac179 - Surrey, United Kingdom
We opted for this trip as part of our Marseille tourist pass. Enjoyable boat ride (great views on boat) in lovely warm weather and you can spend as much time as you like walking around. Fascinating history - there is no lift & area is uneven which was a little bit difficult for our elderly relatives but we had plenty of time to explore which helped. Walk up is steep in parts too. Nice cafe with wonderful view and prices not too bad - we just had drinks & ice cream.
5. Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13,186 reviews
Reviewed By JenLovesTrains - Bad Hindelang, Germany
It’s a steep climb up to the basilica with stations of the cross along the way. Well worth it for the views over all of Marseille. It looked as though a little tourist train goes though if you don’t want to do the walk. The basilica itself is beautifully decorated with mosaics and full of a variety of thankful donations, including ship and plane models hanging from the ceiling, medals, paintings and many many marble plaques. We enjoyed reading those! People’s thanks range from being saved from submarine bombardment in the war through being healed of an ulcer to passing an exam. There’s also a crypt, gift shop, restaurant and museum but we didn’t go to the restaurant or museum. They crypt is full of votive candles and the gift shop is crowded but has a good selection of postcards.
6. Musee d'Histoire de Marseille
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 606 reviews
Reviewed By 750dimitrisl - Sydney, Australia
We were lucky enough to be staying practically next door to this museum so we had the chance to walk by every day. It is a good historical and archaeological museum with an actual archaeological site. The museum displays artifacts from the very ancient times, including the city's origins, from the Greek period, through to Roman times and until more recent times, up to, I think the 19th century. Definitely worth a visit, especially if you like history and archaeology.
7. Palais du Pharo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 765 reviews
Reviewed By 444Travelfor - London, United Kingdom
Nice park beautiful walk around the palace, beautiful vegetation on one side and on the other side beautiful view of the sea for very beautiful photos
8. Palais Longchamp
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,272 reviews
Reviewed By 750dimitrisl - Sydney, Australia
Palais Longchamp is a beautiful building in a lovely park. It was constructed in the 19th century as a way of celebrating the construction of a canal that carried water to the city from the Durance River. This also explains all the lovely water and other features which are part of the whole works. There are many sculptures which bear a symbolic meaning relevant to the water works. For example the three female figures at the top of the fountain represent the river, fruit and fertility. The building also houses two museums, the Musée des Beaux-Arts, and the Museum d'Histoire Naturelle. The garden is also very nice and a lovely place to walk and relax. We came here by train, or the Metro, but there are other forms of transport as well. A visit is highly recommended.
9. Calanque de Morgiou
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 522 reviews
Reviewed By TV2451
So beautiful. We saw this little harbor and beach from the Sea on a wonderful boat trip from the port which was one of my favorite experiences ever in the South of France. This scenery is spectacular.
10. Mucem
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,753 reviews
The MuCEM is a museum of 21st-century civilizations, principally concerned with comparing all aspects of the cultures of the Mediterranean, with Europe and the other continents that border the Mediterranean occupying a major place. It will offer a fresh look at the cultures of the Mediterranean.
Reviewed By Cmuringi - Nimes, France
A great building that gives you magnifique views especially on the connecting bridges,its alos used ofr expo thus has a lot new things to be discovered during the expos! Its location is really idead overlooking the old port and Palais de pharaoh. Do not miss this!
