Things to do in Marseille
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Top 10 attractions in Marseille
Old Port of Marseille
The old port area is the center of gravity and the essence of the entire Marseille region, not only because it is the origin of Marseille and was the third largest port in the world 200 years ago, but more importantly, the pure Marseille style can only be seen here. There are many famous monuments around the Old Port, including the castles of Saint John and Saint Nicholas built in the era of Louis XIV. In addition, the old port is also the life and entertainment center of the Maasai people. The area around the Old Port is a famous food district. Most of the restaurants in the port operate a famous Marseille delicacy - "Marseille Fish Soup". The "Old Port" is actually not old. It was rebuilt after the Second World War, but the locals still call it "Old Port". Apart from habit, there should be a historical sentiment in it. Every morning, the fish market here is very lively, and the wharf is full of small fishing boats and boats. The whole harbor is full of the unique leisure atmosphere of southern France. The master plan of the Old Port Mirror View Pavilion was jointly undertaken by FosterPartners and French landscape architect Michel Desvigne. A huge viewing pavilion of 46 × 22 meters, which is like a mirror, was built here. It is supported by 8 thin columns. Since then, the corners of the mirror pavilion have been gradually thinned to reduce the visual weight. The view of the surrounding old port is reflected from the ceiling of the polished stainless steel mirror, as well as the faces of thousands of tourists who stop to watch, creating a strange beauty, which not only provides a place for tourists to stop and shade, but also It allows tourists to become part of the landscape when they enjoy the scenery of the old port.Marseille · 447m from downtown
Chateau d'If
Located on a 3-hectare limestone island 3.5 miles from the old port of Marseille, the Château d'If is a square fortress with a side length of 28 meters. In 1516, King François I of France came here, fully aware of its defensive value, and ordered the construction of a fort here, which is the symbol of Yves: Fort Yves. Chateau Yves has the advantage of natural danger, the defense is extremely tight, and it is almost impossible for prisoners to escape, and Alexandre Dumas is based on the experience of the only two escapees, Father Faria and Edmond Dantès. The world famous book "The Count of Monte Cristo", Château Yves is also famous because of this novel. Today, the cell in Château Yves has deliberately dug a passage according to the layout in the story. The Château d'If was originally an impregnable fortification in Marseille, and later became a national prison, where many princes, descendants of princes and nobles, Protestants, political prisoners, revolutionaries, etc. were imprisoned. The castle's conversion to a prison dates back to 1658, when Louis XIV, in his crackdown on the heretics, turned the Château d'If into a prison for Protestants and criminals. In the 19th century, after the French bourgeois revolution broke out, Château Yves was completely transformed into a prison for the feudal dynasty to suppress political prisoners. Since the first prisoner was held in 1580, the Isle of Yves has imprisoned more than 3,000 people over the centuries.Marseille · 4.1km from downtown
Château d'If
The smaller island of Marseille, 300 meters long and 180 meters wide. At first, the island was uninhabited. King Francis I, when he was lucky enough to drive here in 1516, fully realized its defensive value and ordered the construction of a fortress, the Château Yves. It was an impregnable fortification that later became a state prison, where many princes and descendants of princes (such as Mirabeau) were imprisoned. It is said that Yves Castle is very tightly guarded, and it is impossible for prisoners to escape from here. However, Father Faria and Edmond Dantès, who were imprisoned here, managed to escape. Based on their experiences, Alexandre Dumas wrote the famous novel "The Count of Monte Cristo", and the Château Yves became famous because of this novel.Marseille · 4km from downtown
Palais Longchamp
Palais Longchamp is a historic building complex that combines commemorative significance, architectural artistic value, and public leisure functions, and is also one of the representative urban landmarks of Marseille. The building not only reflects the significant achievements of urban infrastructure construction at that time, but also demonstrates, through its magnificent design, the importance placed on water resources and urban development. It is notable for its central monumental fountain and the buildings on either side: the fountain is decorated with a group of sculptures themed around water sources, agriculture, and natural abundance, with vivid sculptural figures that complement the arcades, colonnades, and ornate building facades, creating a solemn and artistic overall landscape. The two wings of the building house the Museum of Fine Arts of Marseille and the Natural History Museum, respectively, collecting and displaying artworks, natural specimens, and related historical materials, providing visitors with a rich cultural visiting experience.Marseille · 2.2km from downtown
Parc national des Calanques
Parc national des Calanques is located in the Provence region of southern France, stretching along the Mediterranean coast and primarily covering Marseille, Cassis, and the surrounding coastal areas. It is an important national park in France that integrates land and sea, renowned for its unique coastal landforms, clear waters, and rich natural ecosystem. Its iconic view consists of narrow inlets formed by long-term erosion of limestone, with towering white cliffs extending from the mountains to the sea, creating a striking color contrast against the turquoise Mediterranean. The park also features pine forests, scrublands, rocky ridges, and natural beaches, showcasing a typical Mediterranean natural environment. Different inlets have their own unique characteristics. Some are famous for their steep cliffs, while others have relatively gentle coastlines and clear, shallow waters.Marseille · 10.6km from downtown
Verdon Gorge
The Verdun Grand Canyon is located in the Provence-Côte d'Azur region. It is known as one of the most beautiful canyons in Europe. It is 25 kilometers long and 700 meters deep. The town (Moustiers-Sainte-Marie), Castellane (Castellane) also belong to this area.La Palud-sur-Verdon · 96.4km from Marseille
Fort Saint-Jean
The Fort Saint Jean (Fort Saint Jean) is located at the entrance of the old port of Marseille. It was built under the supervision of Louis XIV in 1660. The Fort Saint Nicholas, which was built at the same time, is located on the opposite bank of the old port. Louis XIV once said that "the inhabitants of Marseille are very fond of beautiful fortresses and wish to have our own castle at the entrance to this great port." ” In fact, the two forts were built to deal with local uprisings against the governor and to supervise the administrators, not to prevent foreign enemies and defend the city. The weapons on the castle are all pointed into the wall, which shows that the internal worries were taken more seriously at that time. Now it is used as a museum to record the history at that time. Visitors can also overlook the city from a high place, and the scenery is very beautiful.Marseille · 664m from downtown
Marseille's Little Tourist Train
In Marseille, France, Marseille's Little Tourist Train is a sightseeing option that offers a comfortable, fun ride. Led by a guide, it lets visitors easily and deeply experience the charm and history of this Phocaean seaside city. The little train offers three main routes. Route 1 departs from Old Harbor (La Darse) and follows the coastline, passing attractions such as the Corniche and Florida Bay, and arrives at Notre-Dame de la Garde, where it stops for about 20 minutes to overlook the city of Marseille and the Mediterranean. Route 2 tours Marseille's historic neighborhoods and explores some magnificent monuments along the way, such as Palais Cabre, the main palace, Église Saint-Laurent, or the grand Marseille Cathedral. Passengers can disembark to explore a stretch of streets and historic buildings. Route 3 is open in summer and runs along the waterfront, visiting the listed historic Caroline Hospital and the Saint-Estève beach next to Fort Latonno, where you can enjoy magnificent views of Chateau d'If and Old Port of Marseille.Marseille · 227m from downtown
Palais du Pharo
Located on the west coast of Marseille, it was built by Napoleon III and the Queen to live in when they came to Marseille. It was built in 1855 by architects Vaucher and Le Fayère. It was changed to a hospital in 1884 to house cholera patients, and later changed to medical institutions such as the Rabies Research Institute and the Tropical Disease Research Institute, and later became the Marseille Medical College. The interior of the Farrow Palace is currently closed to the public, but it is also a very pleasant thing to appreciate his appearance. This palace stands elegantly overlooking the sea, sitting on a meadow in the bustling old port, quiet and dignified.Marseille · 962m from downtown
Villa Mediterrannee
Marseille · 634m from downtown
Experiences you can't miss in Marseille
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What travellers say about Marseille
YoYo_0T9A3B0L2 March 2026
5.0
The Old Port of Marseille is the most vibrant part of the city. The fish market bustles in the morning, cafes are filled with sunbathers in the afternoon, and yacht masts sway in the sunset at dusk. Old buildings line both sides of the port, alongside modern restaurants, and paving stones commemorate World War II. You don't need to specifically seek out tourist attractions; just stroll around, watch the ships, feel the sea breeze, or enjoy a bowl of bouillabaisse by the dock, and you'll experience the city's lively atmosphere.
Old Port of Marseille
Anonymous user29 April 2025
5.0
Tickets were issued very quickly, and the local staff just took a picture of the QR code. The castle was very average, and there were many primary and secondary school students traveling, so the experience was relatively poor. There were Chinese instructions, which was quite convenient. The on-site queue to buy tickets was 7 euros, and those with EU residence permits under 26 were free.
Chateau d'If
小思文17 January 2020
4.0
The island is famous not only for this unique building, but also for the story of the Count of Monte Cristo. The sea and cliffs here also have a very unique structure. The natural scenery of the island is very beautiful, and there are quite a lot of tourists visiting here.
Château d'If
感染他人8 June 2026
5.0
The campsite had no light pollution. After dark, looking up, the sky was filled with stars that shone like scattered diamonds. Even the Milky Way was faintly visible. The owner provided thick sleeping mats, so lying on the grass to watch the stars, with a gentle breeze and the only sounds of insects chirping, was wonderful. The owner would even use a telescope to look at Jupiter and see its small moons. It was amazing! Lying there for two hours wasn't stuffy at all, much more comfortable than being in the city where you could only see streetlights. Even my dreams were filled with the brightness of the stars.
Palais Longchamp
vae***li19 September 2022
5.0
It’s still a bit far from the station on foot, but when you see the scenery, all the hard work is worth it!
Parc national des Calanques
chaojile12 January 2022
5.0
The Verdun Canyon is famous in Europe for its magnificent scenery. It is the second largest canyon in the world, 25 kilometers long and more than 700 meters deep. The long-term erosion of the Verdun River has created such majestic cliffs.
Verdon Gorge
TheDragonHorse25 July 2022
5.0
The town seems to love this place to relax, have picnics, and take a break from work. It’s a massive walkable area and definitely worth the stroll through if you happen to be in town.
Fort Saint-Jean
多多Dolce多1 August 2026
5.0
The drive up the mountain offers stunning sea views. At the Basilica of Our Lady, the road will stop for visitors to explore at their leisure. Afterwards, you can use your ticket to board any of the small trains down the mountain. The coastal section of the route is quite cool.
Marseille's Little Tourist Train
