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Things to do in Marseille

About Marseille

First of all - lucky you! If you are planning or even thinking of a trip to Marseille, you are going to have a wonderful time! Marseille is one of the best cities that France and the entire European continent has to offer. Marseille is the oldest city in France and is famous for having around 300 sunny days a year. The city holds a great mix of French, Mediterranean and North African influences that you can see in the food, culture, and architecture. No matter when you visit you are bound to have an amazing trip.

Places of Interest in Marseille

Probably one of the first buildings you will notice after arriving in Marseille is the towering Basilica Notre-Dame de la Garde. Sitting on a hill overlooking the city, “La Bonne Mère” is atop the church. It is believed that this figure of Mary protected sailors and the city. The interior of the church is just as beautiful as the exterior and was built in a Roman-Byzantine style. Take the time to enjoy the views of the city from the church.

If you are a book nerd, then you should think about adding Chateau D'If to your agenda. This castle was the inspiration for the castle in Alexandre Dumas’ "Count of Monte Cristo." The castle lies on an island, so the only way to get there is by ferry, but the ferry runs regularly, especially during high tourist season. It is recommended to buy your ferry tickets online before getting on the ferry to save time and money. If you still need more castle-viewing while in Marseille, take the ferry back to the city and head to Palais du Pharo. The palace and its surrounding gardens were initially built for Empress Eugiéne. After the death of Napoleon III, the Empress gave the rights of both the palace and the gardens to the city. In 1904, the palace became home to a medical school - can you imagine going to such a beautiful and historic school! Now the palace is no longer a school, but a place for conferences and other large events. Since many events are hosted here year-round, you most likely will not be able to enter the palace, but the gardens are usually open for all.

One place that you shouldn’t miss while in Marseille is its Old Port or Vieux Port. Seriously, one could just spend hours here taking pictures, daydreaming, people watching, strolling around enjoying tasty food, and enjoying the seawater breeze. In Old Marseille, you will find many nooks and crannies to explore while enjoying the mix of French, Spanish and Italian influences. There are many different places to visit to escape the heat and intense sun, such as Accoules Church, a small church originally built in the 6th century but has been renovated many times over the century.

Culture and History of Marseille

The city of Cassis is only about a 40-minute drive from Marseille. This smaller port city neighboring Marseille is a wonderful getaway for an afternoon or longer. In Cassis, you can hike and experience the natural wonders of the Calanques, which are steep rock formations that line the coastline between Marseille and Cassis. While you can see these natural wonders while in Marseille, in Cassis you can get closer to them and enjoy the Calanques on a different level. Cassis also holds many great little shops and restaurants that are usually a little less expensive and touristy than those in Marseille.

Nightlife in Marseille

Probably the most famous dish from the region is Bouillabaisse, which in the simplest terms is a seafood soup. However, it is usually the most expensive thing on the menu, so if you want to try the dish be prepared to pay a large bill at the end of the meal. If you want to have seafood while in Marseille, you will be able to find many smaller restaurants away from the tourist centers that may be a little nicer to your wallet.

Since this region has become experts at creating delicious seafood dishes, it is only natural that the region's wine pairs wonderfully with all seafood dishes. Many of these wines are produced in Cassis, so if you wanted to, you could tour a vineyard or just enjoy the wine with a good view of the sea. Another drink typical for the region is the anise-flavored aperitif, Pastis. If you remotely dislike the flavor of anise stay away from this drink, but if you’re brave you should absolutely go for it! The drink is usually diluted with water. There are many brands and sizes of the liquor, so you’ll be able to find some to bring home as gifts. If you haven’t had the chance to try aioli, then in Marseille is the place to do it. Many restaurants make the sauce fresh in-house and serve it alongside any dish. Once you try it fresh and realize how easy it is to make, you will not want to go back to boring mayo or ketchup.

Discover Marseille through Macy's eyes

Hej! I am an American grad student studying and living in Sweden. Being a grad student, I have perfected the act of budget traveling. I have a fierce passion for cute dogs, film festivals, coffee and traveling. Join me as I work towards my personal goal of visiting all 28 EU countries before I graduate in June 2019! Feel free to pop over to my personal blog, Little Mouse. Big World, to read more about my travels while balancing grad school life.