Marseille attractions

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Marseille is one of the most visited Mediterranean cities. Its long historical past and unique atmosphere make it truly popular.

It is France’s second-largest city and largest port, and Europe’s fifth-largest port. Its history dates back to ancient times, founded by the Greeks around 600 BC.

Marseille attractions

Notre-Dame de la Garde

Marseille’s most famous and most visited attraction, located at the city’s highest point on a 150-meter-high hill.

The basilica, consecrated in 1864, was built in neo-Byzantine style with its characteristic golden statue of the Virgin Mary, which watches over the city and sailors like a guardian angel. Locals affectionately call it „La Bonne Mère” (The Good Mother). The church’s rich decorations, colorful mosaics, and impressive frescoes provide an unparalleled sight.

From the viewing terrace, there is a breathtaking panorama of Marseille, the Vieux-Port, the surrounding mountains, and the Mediterranean Sea.

Vieux-Port

The port is Marseille’s center, where you can always see numerous yachts and boats.

It has played an important role since the Greek founding and was the center of the city’s maritime trade for centuries. Today, it’s a popular meeting place for locals and tourists, full of bars, restaurants, and fish markets. The morning fish market is particularly popular, where local fishermen offer their fresh catch.

Boats depart from the port to nearby attractions, such as the Château d’If fortress and the magnificent rocks of the Calanques.

Fort Saint-Jean

One of Marseille’s iconic historical attractions rises at the northern entrance of the Vieux-Port.

The fort was built during the reign of Louis XIV, the Sun King, in 1660, partly to protect the port and partly to control the local population, who had frequently rebelled against royal power. The fort served as a military facility for centuries and later also functioned as a prison, especially during the French Revolution.

Today, it has been completely renovated and is one of the city’s most popular tourist destinations. Visitors can explore the fort’s old bastions, towers, and enjoy views of the port, city, and Mediterranean Sea.

The fort has become part of the MUCEM cultural center, connected by a modern pedestrian bridge.

MUCEM (Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations)

Built as part of Fort Saint-Jean, this museum is one of the most important city institutions.

Its exhibitions are extremely diverse, exploring the region’s history, culture, social and religious traditions. Its themes include agriculture, maritime life, religions, and the daily life of Mediterranean civilizations.

The museum consists of two main buildings. The modern J4 building, designed by architect Rudy Ricciotti, is famous for its perforated concrete facade. The other part is the historic Fort Saint-Jean, connected to the modern building by a pedestrian bridge.

All information can be found here!

Fort Saint-Nicolas

Marseille’s most imposing fortress is located on the southern side of the Vieux-Port, directly opposite Fort Saint-Jean.

The fort was built in 1660 on the orders of Louis XIV, based on the plans of Marquis de Clerville. Interestingly, the fort’s cannons were also aimed at the city, signifying the presence and power of royal authority.

Fort Saint-Nicolas consists of two parts: the upper fort (Haute Forteresse), which is the main military facility, and the lower part (Basse Forteresse), located in the immediate vicinity of the port. The fort’s thick walls and massive bastions are masterpieces of classical French military architecture.

In the 19th century, the fort also served as a prison, and its military significance decreased over time. Today it’s protected as a monument, although only partially open to the public. From the top of the fort, there are stunning views of Marseille, the Vieux-Port, and the Mediterranean Sea.

Palais du Pharo

This elegant historical building is located at the southern tip of the port entrance.

The palace was built by Emperor Napoleon III in 1858 for Empress Eugénie, although she never used it as a residence. It was later donated to the city and has since been used for various purposes. Today it’s an important conference and event center, but tourists also enjoy visiting the building and park.

The surrounding park, the Jardin du Pharo, offers pleasant relaxation. From here, there are magnificent views of the Vieux-Port, Fort Saint-Jean, and Château d’If island.

Rue de la République

One of Marseille’s most important boulevards, connecting the historic center with the modern Joliette district.

It was created in the second half of the 19th century as part of Napoleon III’s urban planning project, which aimed to make Marseille similar to modern European cities of the era. The street’s design resembles Baron Haussmann’s Parisian boulevards: wide, straight, lined with tall-facade, symmetrically built houses.

Porte d’Aix

Marseille’s triumphal arch stands at the beginning of the road leading to Aix-en-Provence, hence its name.

The monument was originally built on Napoleon’s orders to commemorate the French army’s victories. Construction began in 1825 but was finally completed during the Bourbon Restoration in 1839. The arch was designed by Michel-Robert Penchaud, who created the monument in the neoclassical style of the period.

The arch’s richly decorated carvings and reliefs depict historical events and figures that proclaim France’s glorious victories. The facades feature mythological scenes and allegorical figures.

La Panier

Marseille’s oldest quarter is located on a hill north of the Vieux-Port. Its name, „The Basket” comes from the markets that operated here in the past.

Its narrow, winding streets, cobblestone alleys, and colorful houses exude a unique Mediterranean atmosphere. The quarter is full of charming cafes, local craft shops, and galleries. Street art decorating the walls is also characteristic.

It contains several iconic buildings, including the Vieille Charité, a 17th-century baroque building that now houses museums and a cultural center. Also located here is the Place des Moulins, a square once filled with mills that was the center of the city’s economic life.

Cathédrale de la Major

The city’s other most significant church stands at the edge of the Le Panier quarter.

The original Romanesque cathedral stood here in the 12th century, but in the 19th century, it was replaced by a larger, more representative building to reflect Marseille’s maritime and commercial importance. Construction of the new cathedral began in 1852 and took nearly 40 years.

With its impressive dimensions, it’s one of the world’s largest cathedrals: 142 meters long, with domes reaching 70 meters in height. The building’s facade is decorated with white and green limestone stripes, while its interior is dominated by rich mosaics, marble inlays, and huge arches.

Palais Longchamp

The palace in Longchamp Park stands out not only for its architectural beauty but also for its historical and cultural significance.

Opened in 1869, the palace was built in honor of the Canal de Marseille aqueduct. This brought water from the Durance River to the city, ending the drinking water shortage. It was designed by Henri-Jacques Espérandieu in neoclassical style. The complex is dominated by a huge, monumental fountain. The fountain’s central figure features three female figures symbolizing the Mediterranean Sea, surrounded by waterfalls and animal sculptures.

The palace’s two wings house significant cultural institutions. One contains the Musée des Beaux-Arts, which showcases masterpieces of 16th-19th century painting, while the other houses the Museum of Natural History, displaying natural science collections.

Parc Borély

One of Marseille’s largest and most beautiful parks is a few minutes’ walk from the Mediterranean coast.

At the center of the park stands the Château Borély, a beautiful neoclassical castle built in 1767 by Joseph Borély, a wealthy Marseille merchant. The castle is now home to the Museum of Decorative Arts, Faience, and Fashion, famous for its decorative art and ceramic collections.

Several garden types can be discovered: the formal, geometric French garden, the romantic, irregular English garden, and the peaceful and exotic Japanese garden.

La Friche la Belle de Mai

This cultural center was developed on the site of a former tobacco factory in the city’s Belle de Mai quarter.

The industrial building complex was transformed to serve multiple functions: exhibition spaces, theaters, concert venues, rehearsal rooms, art studios, and coworking offices.

The building’s roof terrace, Le Toit-Terrasse, is particularly popular with visitors. This huge outdoor space offers fantastic views of Marseille.

Unité d’Habitation

One of Marseille’s most iconic buildings became world-famous as a masterpiece of modern architecture.

Designed by legendary Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier, it was built between 1947 and 1952. This building perfectly embodies the architect’s modernist urban planning principles, which aimed to create functional, self-sustaining residential communities.

The building is 17 stories high and nearly 165 meters long, placed on a concrete frame that allows the building’s lower level to be freely accessible. The house contains 337 residential units. It’s actually not just a residential building but a mini-settlement.

Château d’If

The fortress located just a few kilometers from the city on If island is popular due to its literary significance.

Built in 1524 on the orders of King Francis I, the fortification originally served to protect the city, but due to its strategic location, it was soon converted into a prison.

It became world-famous as the fictional prison of Edmond Dantès in „The Count of Monte Cristo”. Although Dumas’s story is purely fiction, the novel’s success has attracted thousands of tourists since the 19th century.

Musée d’Histoire de Marseille

The city’s most important and one of its largest museums is located in the Vieux-Port quarter.

The museum presents the city’s 2,600-year history, from Marseille’s founding to the present day. Its collection is extremely diverse, with more than 4,000 exhibited items including archaeological findings, artifacts, maps, and multimedia presentations. Among the most important attractions is the remains of an ancient Greek ship, considered one of the world’s best-preserved ancient vessels.

A highlight of the museum is the Jardin des Vestiges, an outdoor archaeological area that preserves the remains of the port and city walls of ancient Massalia (today’s Marseille).