It is almost impossible to visit Marseille and pass the Old Port. Yes, and no need: after all, it is he – bright, noisy, lively at any time of the day or night – that personifies the spirit of the “southern gate” of France. It is especially good to watch the sunset here (the open sea stretches west from the port), watch the hustle and bustle of fishing boats at dawn, and during the day just enjoy the taste of fish dishes in coastal restaurants.
If the Old Port is the soul of Marseille, then the world-famous Basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde with an 11-meter statue of Our Lady is its unconditional symbol, as recognizable as the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Notre Dame Cathedral in Marseille is the most popular attraction among tourists, and this is no coincidence: travelers are attracted not only by the unique architecture of the basilica itself, but also by the breathtaking views from the highest city hill.
According to a2zgov.com, Marseille Cathedral rivals Notre Dame de la Garde in popularity. It is attractive not due to its venerable age (it was built in the 19th century), but due to its undeniable architectural merits, because the architects managed the almost impossible – to organically combine the features of the Romanesque and Byzantine styles. Despite its solid size, the building seems elegant and light – largely due to the original white and green marble decoration.
Lovers of modern architecture will not be able to pass by one of Le Corbusier’s most famous creations – The Radiant City, which looks like a giant ship anchored in the city park. Although the building has been successfully serving as a residential building for almost 2,000 people for more than half a century, certain parts of the complex are available for free inspection, and by appointment, you can also visit the apartments of this kind of “vertical village, where residents do not see each other, do not hear each other, do not interfere with each other. friend.”
Museums of Marseille
If most of the architectural sights can be appreciated from the outside, Marseille’s museums will require much more careful attention, because the oldest city in France (Marseille was founded in the 6th century BC) has something to captivate any traveler.
The attractiveness of city museums is largely due to the specificity of their expositions: they are focused on acquainting an inquisitive tourist with the peculiarities of Mediterranean culture – the history of its development, formation and state today.
For the first acquaintance with the city, Longchamp Palace is perfect, because in addition to purely architectural merits, it is famous for the Museums of Natural History located there, Fine Arts with a rich collection of works by French and Italian masters, a functioning observatory, an old zoological garden and the famous landscape park with fountains, thanks to which the palace and received its unofficial name – “hymn to water.”
Although Marseille is a modern city, lovers of antiquity will not feel left out, because in the medieval abbey of Saint-Victor you can visit the ancient crypt with sarcophagi, the oldest of which are more than 1.5 thousand years old.
Connoisseurs of Provencal culture will love the Regional Museum, the Museum of Mediterranean Civilizations and the Museum of Mediterranean Archeology, dedicated to the customs, traditions and crafts of this distinctive province.
4 things to do in Marseille
- See how the man in the iron mask lived in the Chateau d’If.
- Visit the Shining City of Le Corbusier and experience life in a utopia.
- Eat delicious fish in the restaurants of the Old
- Wander into the Arab quarter and feel yourself on the shores of North Africa.
Tourist buses and minibuses
Travelers with a vague idea of the city’s sights will love the Open Tour’s double-decker sightseeing buses. The route covers almost all significant places of Marseille: from the colorful Old Port to the hallmark of the “southern capital” – Notre Dame de la Garde Cathedral. At any of the 13 stops, you can get off and get back on the bus for the entire duration of the ticket (a daily pass will cost 34 EUR, and a two-day one – 38 EUR).
If you arrived in the city for a short time, and your hotel is located near one of the stops, you can use the Open Tour as a replacement for public transport – and sightseeing tours will be a nice bonus.
An alternative to the Open Tour can be small City Tour minibuses – tickets for them are sold at the local tourist office, where you can also choose between two routes – short (2 hours, 15 EUR) and long (3 hours, 20 EUR).
Excursions by water and rail
A visit to the island of If, where the castle of the same name is located, has become almost a must for tourists. The walk can be completed with a visit to the picturesque island of Frioul, where the rustic atmosphere of old Provence has been preserved. Tickets for boat trips can be bought on the website. The cost of an excursion to If Island is 6 EUR. Combined ticket to visit both islands – 14.10 EUR.
Another interesting type of Marseille excursions is railway. This type of leisure is so popular that SNCF even issued a special travel card – for 7.80 EUR you can travel from Marseille to La Couronne and back (unfortunately, this travel card is valid only in July-August). The train runs for 1 hour and 15 minutes along the most picturesque Blue Coast, making stops in cozy Provencal villages.
