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This is the real Marseille — bustling, crowded, dirty, with street musicians, fishmongers and boats bobbing on the waves. Visitors come here for the views (such as the Château d'If and Notre-Dame de la Garde cathedral), for souvenirs or for a delicious meal.
The port is home to the famous Miramar restaurant (12 Quai du Port), which serves the most proper bouillabaisse. Prices are high - the traditional fish soup costs €79 per person, and a portion is for at least two people.
Address: 34 quai du Port.
Le Panier ("the bread basket") is the oldest quarter of Marseille. It was destroyed during the Second World War and then became a slum, which was considered an extremely dangerous place. Now it is a quiet bohemian neighborhood, where artists live, trendy restaurants and shops with handicrafts. Pannier is also famous for street art, with works of art on the walls of many houses.
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You can reach the Old Port on foot or by tourist train, one of whose routes ends here.
One of the most visited sights and the calling card of Marseille. The church is located on a high hill with a beautiful view of the Old Port, the city quarters and the Chateau d'If. It was built in the XIX century on the site of the destroyed chapel of the same name: the 41-meter high tower continues with a bell tower (12.5 meters), which is crowned by an eleven-meter high gilded statue of the Virgin Mary with a baby in her arms. Inside the temple is decorated with Byzantine-style mosaics.
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During the day, it's best to admire the surrounding beauty from the hill, and in the evening to look out from the harbor at the church painted with illuminated lights.
Opening hours: from 7:00 to 18:15 (19:15) depending on the season.
Cost: entrance to the church and the crypt is free, ticket to the museum — €8.
One of the youngest attractions, the museum opened in 2013 when Marseille was elected European Capital of Culture. It consists of a square building with an unusual openwork facade and Fort Saint-Jean, they are connected by a pedestrian bridge.
The exhibition halls on three levels of the new building are occupied by a permanent interactive exposition dedicated to the history, culture and modernity of the inhabitants of the Mediterranean countries, and temporary exhibitions are also held here. You only have to pay to enter the museum; access to the roof terrace, the bridge and the fort wall is free.
Address: 7 Prom. Robert Laffont.
Opening hours: from 10:00 (11:00) to 18:00 (20:00), Tuesday — day off.
Cost: for an adult €11. On the first Sunday of each month admission is free for all visitors.
This mighty fortification on the island of the same name, 4 kilometers from the Old Port, was built in 1524-1531 to protect Marseille. From XVI to the first half of XIX century there was a prison for especially dangerous criminals.
Alexander Dumas made the castle famous by placing Edmond Dantes, the hero of the novel "The Count of Monte Cristo", in this prison. Most tourists come here to see the cell where he was supposedly kept in custody (in fact, he was not, as such a person did not exist).
The excursion route through the castle also includes Abbot Faria's cell, which is connected to Dantes's cell by a passage, and the "Iron Mask" room (according to official data, this mysterious prisoner never visited the castle). The museum houses a collection of illustrations to the novel by various artists.
From the roof of the building there is a view of Marseille, the sea and neighboring islands, there is also a cafe for those who got hungry during the walk.
Address: Embarcadère Frioul If, 1 Quai de la Fraternité. You can get to the island from the Old Port, boats leave every half an hour.
Opening hours: from 10:00 to 17:00 (18:00), from January 2 to April 1 and from October 2 to December 31, Monday is a day off
Cost: €7.
One of the region's main natural attractions are the limestone cliffs formed around 120 million years ago (sometimes called Provençal fjords).
Sturdy travelers walk along equipped paths (there are a total of 20 kilometers between Marseille and Cassis). If this is too tiring for you, buy a ticket for a boat trip and admire the scenery from the comfort of your ship.
The most visited calanques near Marseille:
Boat trip: from €25 for an adult.
This is the oldest of the European monasteries built within the city limits — it was founded in the 5th century near the tombs of martyrs, among whom was St. Victor. Since 1968, a valuable collection of sarcophagi from the 4th to the first half of the 5th century has been kept in the crypt of the Abbey.
The main shrine is the statue of the Black Madonna, which miraculously survived the Revolution. On the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, it is taken to the upper church and put on public display.
Not far from the abbey is the oldest bakery in Marseille — Four des Navettes (136 Rue Sainte). Here you can try the traditional boat-shaped Navettes cookies baked on Purification.
Address: 3rue de l'Abbaye.
Opening hours: from 9:00 to 17:00.
In 10 minutes by bus from the Old Port there is practically deserted and very photogenic (especially at dawn) corner of Marseille. You can swim in the cozy bay, where there is rarely anyone except for the ubiquitous seagulls, and then stop by one of the restaurants and enjoy fish and seafood dishes.
Address: Boulevard des Dardanelles.Bus 83 runs from the Old Port and you can walk down to the bay from the seafront.
One of the largest religious buildings in Europe: the height of the temple is 70 meters, length 146 meters, it can accommodate up to 3000 people. It was built in the XIX century on the site of a church of the V century, some rooms of which have been preserved.
The best materials were used in the construction of the building: Carrara marble, stones from Florence, Garda and Calissan. Inside the cathedral is decorated with Venetian mosaics, red porphyry and marble. In addition to the splendor of the building, tourists are attracted by the observation decks located next to it, from where you can see the Old Port.
Address: Place de la Major.
Opening hours: from 10:00 to 17:30 (18:30), Tuesday — day off.
Cost: free of charge.
This 19th-century mason's manor house displays a rich collection of objects related to the history of Marseille and Provence in general. Among them are dishes and recipes for traditional dishes, children's toys and clothing, antique furniture and tapestries, paintings by Marseille artists, musical instruments, ceramic figurines and much more.
After the tour do not hurry to leave — the house is located in a picturesque area, on the slopes of the mountain, where it is pleasant to just walk around.
Address: 5 place des héros, Château-Gombert.
Opening hours: the time of the visit should be agreed with the administration in advance. Guided tours are held on the second Monday of each month.
Cost: €8 for an adult, €6 for a child 7-14 years old. Individual excursion — €12.
The tourist card costs €30 for 24 hours, €40 for 48 hours or €48 for 72 hours for adults.
With it you can:
If you came to Marseille for 1-2 days, such a ride will help you to see the main sights in a short time, and in other cases - to decide what you would like to see in more detail. Besides, the bus is an alternative to public transportation, you can leave it and get back on board an unlimited number of times.
Bus routes vary from company to company, but must include the Old Port,Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica, Marseille Cathedral and the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations.
Cost: €26 for an adult, €11 for a child 4-13 years old (for 1 day).
An alternative to the bus for families with little ones and those who don't mind going back to childhood. There are two routes: one from the Old Port to Notre-Dame de la Garde Cathedral, the other from the Old Port to the Pannier district (Old Town).
Cost: €8 for an adult, €4 for a child 3-11 years old.
Every morning, a fish market opens under the Ferris wheel on the square in the Old Port. Vessels dock at the quay and fresh catch is moved from them directly to the stalls. Theoretically the trade starts at 8 am, in practice - closer to 9 am, the French are in no hurry.
After buying oysters, ask the merchant to open them, sit on the waterfront and enjoy the flavor and the scenery.
Address: 34 quai du Port.
Opening hours: 8:00 to 11:00 (usually opens later).
From the modern building of the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations(7 Prom. Robert Laffont), a pedestrian bridge leads here. The observation deck offers a beautiful view of Marseille, you can also visit the rooftop gardens or relax in the fort's café.
Address: 7 promenade Robert Laffont.
Opening hours: from 10:00 (11:00) to 18:00 (20:00), Tuesday - day off.
Cost: free of charge.
To do this you will have to leave Marseille and go to the town of Aubagne, about 15 minutes away by car. It is famous for its ceramics and ceramics products, as well as for the fair that takes place four times a week in the central square. Here you can buy everything the region is famous for: cheeses, olives, sausages, fresh fish and seafood, vegetables and fruits. If you're hungry, try the grilled meats.
Be sure to take a stroll through the center, where old buildings of different styles have been preserved, and admire the surrounding mountains.
Address: Cours Voltaire, Aubagne.
Opening hours: from 8:00 to 13:00 on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
Cost: free of charge.
A fish soup native to Marseille, one of the culinary symbols of Provence. Originally it was a cheap chowder, the food of fishermen, but now restaurants offer expensive variations (e.g. with lobster) that cost up to €200 for a portion for two.
Where to find the right bouillabaisse? Besides the hyped and very crowded Miramar, which we've already mentioned, connoisseurs recommend:
Pasta with vegetables, anchovies, garlic, olive oil and black olives.
A sauce composed of garlic, lemon juice, olive oil and egg. It is traditionally served with boiled vegetables and fish and crusty bread.
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A dish of monkfish and vegetables with Aïoli sauce.
A strong alcoholic drink containing about 50 herbs and spices. In France it is used for cocktails and served as an aperitif, diluted with water in the ratio of 1:5 or 1:8.
Not if you follow some basic rules:
