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 Marseille is the undiscovered jewel in the crown of France’s Mediterranean coastline. The rocky hills of Provence look down onto the ancient port and the thousands of boats docked in its clear blue waters. Countless artists have been seduced by the sunny climate and the hustle and bustle of the town. France’s second city has all you could ask for — beautiful beaches, ancient buildings, thriving arts, and a dynamic nightlife.

Beautiful sunrise in the harbor of Marseille, Provence, France Mariia Golovianko / Shutterstock.com

The City

Founded by Phocaean Greeks 2 600 years ago, Marseille is France’s oldest town, a melting pot of peoples and cultures, and a gateway to southern Europe and North Africa. Today, the city is still dependent on the port for its revenue and is dominated by fishing boats and people selling fresh produce.

Marseille is cut in half by La Canebière, one of the main shopping streets, which runs west to east from the Vieux Port. The city is divided into 15 arrondissements (districts), ranging from gentrified to run-down, and is famed for its fish-dominated culinary menu and its potent aniseed tipple, called pastis.

The exclusivity increases as you head further south to the corniche and Prado, the city’s best beach, with three kilometres of fine sand.

Happy traveling! Handsome man in a hat and sunglasses posing against the city of Marseille Igor Stepovik / Shutterstock.com

Do & See

Marseille is an urban cultural hot spot, a French city with historical and maritime museums, lovely architecture and beautiful nature in the form of parks and a stunning beach. Visit the main harbour and take a stroll around the Abbaye Saint Victor, explore the narrow streets of the old quarter, or make time for one of the beaches not too far from the city centre.

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Château d'If

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Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde

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Vieux Port Fish Market

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Saint Victor Abbey

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Marseille History Museum

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Prado Beaches

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Park Borély

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Roman Docks Museum

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Orange Vélodrome Stadium

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La Corniche

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Place Castellane

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Les Calanques

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The Old Charity

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Garden of Remains

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Lighthouse Palace

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Palais Longchamp

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Memorial of the Marseillaise

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OK Corral

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Cosquer Méditerranée

French fish stew norikko/Shutterstock.com

Dining

Marseille boasts a culinary tradition heavily influenced by its surroundings. Fish dominates, and one dish in particular — bouillabaisse. This fish stew combines a variety of fish with saffron, fennel and orange zest. It is served with rouille, a garlic and chilli-flavoured mayonnaise. Olive oil, herbs, fresh fruit and vegetables are also quintessential elements of Marseille cuisine.

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Le Miramar

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L’Epuisette

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Le Café Thaï

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Nul Part Ailleurs

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Les Trois Forts

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La Côte de Boeuf

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Peron Restaurant

Croissant & bakery - This is the daily breakfast in France restaurant thipjang/Shutterstock.com

Cafés

Marseille’s proximity to the Mediterranean Sea has a significant influence on its coffee culture. You'll often find outdoor cafés with picturesque seafront views, where locals and tourists alike gather to enjoy coffee and people-watching.

Espresso, or "café" in French, is a popular choice in Marseille. It's often served in small cups, reflecting the traditional French coffee style. Pair your espresso with a delicious assortment of pastries, such as croissants, pain au chocolat, or another local specialty.

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Les Arcenaulx

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Torrefaction Noailles

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Le Café de la Banque

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Café Populaire

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Les Buffets du Vieux-Port

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La Caravelle

Harbor of Marseille at night, Provence, France Mariia Golovianko/Shutterstock.com

Bars & Nightlife

Marseille is all about bar culture — whether it be sipping on an aperitif at an outdoor cafe table in the late evening sun or standing around a bar chatting with friends, drinking beer, and snacking on olives. The city’s cultural diversity means there is a little bit of everything in Marseille to suit all tastes. Locals really go for it, partying until well into the morning hours, especially during the summer.

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Le Bar de la Marine

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Espace Julien

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Le Bazar Marseille

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Dock des Suds

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The Shamrock

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O’Brady’s

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The Red Lion

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Polikarpov

The promenade of the Old Vieux Port in the city center of Marseilles, France Boris Stroujko/Shutterstock.com

Shopping

Marseille’s main shopping areas are in the central and southern parts of town and cater to all tastes, from Côte d’Azur luxury and large department stores to quirky little boutiques and stores.

If you want smaller shops then head to the Cours Julien area, which has built up a reputation as an alternative, bohemian quarter. The area is also great for food and antique markets at weekends. Le Panier, Marseille’s oldest neighbourhood, is the best place for local products. Rue des Petits Puits and places des Pistoles are good streets for Provençal pottery and shops selling lavender soap and olive-based goodies.

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Les Terrasses du Port

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Centre Bourse

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La Canebière

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Rue de la Tour

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Cours Julien Area

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Le Panier Area

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La Maison du Pastis

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Galeries Lafayette

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Monoprix

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Centre Bonneveine

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The Grand Littoral Retail Park

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Printemps La Valentine

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Cours Julien Market

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Prado Market

The Vallon des Auffes, Marseilles, France Giancarlo Liguori/Shutterstock.com

Tourist Information

Marseille Provence Airport (MRS)

Marseille Provence Airport is located 30 kilometres from the town centre. You can take the train to reach the city centre, and the journey takes approximately half an hour. There are also shuttle buses that run between the airport and Marseille’s train station, Gare Saint Charles.

From the train station you can easily reach other nearby cities. Taxis and car rental companies are represented at the airport.

Address: Aéroport Marseille-Provence, Marseille

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Phone: +33 820 81 14 14

Website: www.marseille.aeroport.fr

More Information:

Passport / Visa

France can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.

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Best Time to Visit

Most people choose July and August for their stay in Marseille and Provence, due to the pleasant — although sometimes very hot — weather, which allows for beautiful days at the beach. However, visiting in May or June can be a great idea as well: the city will be less crowded and the temperature nicer, spring at its best. Provence's famous lavender fields are in bloom from June to August.

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Public Transport

The best way to get around in Marseille is by using the very efficient metro system which runs between 6 am and 9 pm. With two lines, it is part of a wider Marseille public transport network (RTM) that includes buses (which run later). The public transport network consists of the metro, buses, trams, trains and ferries.

There are different types of tickets depending on your preferences. A useful ticket is the Carte Groupe for four to twelve people, which makes a single journey cheaper. A 24H/72H card is also available: it allows you to make as many journeys as you like on the RTM network.

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Website: www.rtm.fr/en

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Taxi

Taxi Radio Marseille
+33 4 91 02 20 20
www.taximarseille.com

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Phone: +33 4 91 02 20 20

Website: www.taximarseille.com

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Post

Look for a yellow mailbox if you want to send a letter or postcard.

Address: La Poste Marseille Colbert, 25 Rue Colbert, Marseille

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Phone: +33 9 70 82 36 31

Website: www.laposte.fr

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Pharmacy

Pharmacie du Vieux Port
4 Quai du Port, Marseille
+33 4 91 90 00 57
Mon–Fri 9am–8pm, Sat 8am–7pm, Sun closed

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Electricity

230 V / 50Hz

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Telephone

Country code: +33
Area code: 04

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