France’s reputation for food and hospitality collides with thousands ofyears of history, art and architecture in Marseille, France’s oldest city.Visit the southern city with your camera, swimmers and walking shoes in hand toexplore Marseille’s amazing historic sites, sunny beaches and the cliff-top hikingroutes that follow the Mediterranean coastline.
Wake up with a cup of coffee and breakfast at one of the local cafés thecity is famous for. Over the past century the city’s residents have devotedthemselves to developing their iconic café culture around the Vieux Port precinct.
Take a walk through the city’s old town, Panier, to see the major sightsof Marseille. Just north of the port you’llfind the Vieille Charité Museum and the Baroque-style Hotêl de Ville. Hop on board the Petit Train that runsfrom the old town to reach the towering NotreDame de la Garde Basilica, which boasts some of the best views ofMarseille.
Spend an afternoon atthe luxurious Opéra de Marseillebefore exploring the galleries, theatres and winding streets that characterisethe nearby Canebiére thoroughfare. Stop by the tourist office on the arcade todiscover the many cultural events taking place each week in Marseille. Ventureto the Noailles district to shop for oddities in the sprawling African markets.
The landscape surroundingMarseille shouldn’t be missed: there are many hikes, bike rides and boat tripsto embark on in the Calanques NationalPark. Sign up for a guided boat tour to see Château d’If, the former prisonisland that was immortalised in Alexandre Dumas’ famous film, Count of Monte Cristo. While away theafternoon in Borély Park as youexplore its beautiful chateau and surrounding botanic garden before you head toPrado Beach or Borély Beach to watch the sunset.
Marseille’s city centreis easily navigated on foot with most attractions located close to Vieux Port.From the port you can use the city’s public bus and boat routes to reachattractions outside the city. Arrive in Marseille via France’s extensivenetwork of high-speed trains or by ferry from Corsica, Sardinia and NorthernAfrica. Those coming from outside Europe will needto fly from a European hub to Marseille’s international airport, which is amongthe busiest in the nation.
