The Ultimate Marseille France Travel Guide

Marseille is known for its Vieux-Port neighborhood, bouillabaisse stew and street markets.

In 2013, Marseille was designated as the European Capital of Culture. It's France's oldest city and the second largest after Paris.

Still not convinced? Check out my ultimate guide to Marseille, starting with a list of Marseille highlights that offer great reasons why you should visit France and embark on your own adventures around this beachside town on holiday...

Top 8 sights in Marseille, France

Mucem

Mucem - Museum of Civilizations of Europe and the Mediterranean

Prize winning Museum.

This is a national museum that was inaugurated on 7 June 2013. It's a prize winning attraction that's well worth visiting.

Old Port of Marseille

2. Old Port of Marseille

Pedestrian friendly hub of activity.

Located at the end of the main street of Marseille (Canebière), this has been a harbour since antiquity. It's popular and a must-see in Marseille.

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Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde

3. Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde

Incredible views.

This basilica is an iconic landmark. It is located on the highest natural point in Marseille and was built on the foundations of an ancient fort.

Massif des Calanques

4. Massif des Calanques

National park with geological features.

Explore this wild and rugged terrain that meets beautiful coastline. It's a national park and loved feature of the area.

Château d'If

5. Château d'If

Former prison in an Island fortress.

Only about 1.5 kilometres offshore from Marseille, you'll find this incredible feature. It was made famous in Alexandre Dumas's adventure novel The Count of Monte Cristo

Cathédrale La Major

6. Cathédrale La Major

Lavishly decorated 1800s cathedral.

This Roman Catholic cathedral is a national monument of France. The architecture is striking.

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Palais Longchamp

7. Palais Longchamp

19th-century grand park and water feature.

Here, you'll find the Musée des beaux-arts and Muséum d'histoire naturelle de Marseille. The wider Longchamp Park is one of the Notable Gardens of France.

Calanque d'En-Vau

8. Calanque d'En-Vau

Incredible national park.

This is a place for rock climbing. Walls of rock rise from a pebble beach, overlooking a sheltered cove of aqua water.

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Music in Marseille

For regular live music, check out the pubs on the weekends and the regular community markets.

Top 3 Instagrammable Locations in Marseille, France

You'll find a lot of iconic photo locations around Marseille! The top instagrammable location in Marseille are:

Mucem
Old Port of Marseille
Cathédrale La Major

Popular hashtags for Marseille travel posts on instagram, facebook twitter and other social media include: #marseille , #france , #love , #marseillecity , #instamarseille , #instafrance , #frenchchateau , #travel , #chateaustyle , #visitfrance #chateaulife ... and the location (e.g. #portofmarseille ) . Consider adding related hashtags such as #beach , #sunset , #wildlife , #chateau , #castle , #frenchcastle , #hiking , and #adventure for example.

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Penelope filming at Marseille

Fun in Marseille: 10 Reasons you must visit Marseille

Ok, I've told you about the fun experiences and coastal beauty. What else? In a nutshell, you should visit Marseille and the surrounding area for the:

Incredible museums and galleries.
Trendy restaurants and bars.
'Port city' style mischief and boisterous vibe.
Excellent music scene.
Great football culture.
Fun boat rides to island adventures.

When you combine these reasons with the fact that it is a truly beautiful French destination, Marseille should be on your bucket list!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Marseille a safe city?

Marseille is safe in general, but tourists should keep the risk of minor criminal activities in mind. Like any major city, watch out for small thefts and pickpockets.

Is Marseille good for tourists?

With a busy harbor and a vibrant urban energy, Marseilles appeals to tourists wanting an authentic tourist experience. This lively cosmopolitan city has a truly Mediterranean ambience.

Is Marseille France expensive?

While this city isn't the cheapest, Marseille isn't as expensive as Paris.

What is Marseille famous for?

Marseille is famous for its Vieux-Port, Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde (la Bonne-mère in French) and Château d'If. It is also known for cultural features like savon de Marseille to tarot, as well as great pastis and pétanque.

Do they speak English in Marseille?

Although people prefer to speak in French, workers who deal with tourists will speak English. This is similar to other parts of France.

How much does it cost to go to Marseille?

You can expect to pay an average of $1,275 for a solo traveler to spend 7 days in Marseille, $2,290 for a couple, and $4,293 for a family of 4. But, more affordable options are available if you do your research well!

How do you pronounce Marseille?

It sounds like 'Mar-say'.

How cold does it get in Marseille?

Cold days in Marseille are rarely below 30°F or -1 degrees celsius.

Currency in Marseille

The main currency is the Euro. You can exchange your currency in local currency exchange shopfronts, but you can also withdraw money through an ATM. The local bank ATMs provide currency at reasonable excange rates, but you may want to avoid the fees and exchange rate traps of the ATMs that target tourists. You can identify them from their 'currency exchange' type branding (e.g. Euronet).

Mobile Phone Service / Roaming in Marseille

The main service providers include Orange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom, and Free Mobile. Prepaid SIM cards are easy to buy, but it's easiest to buy them in a company branded shopfront.

The calling code for France is +33.

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Share your Marseille Holiday Tips!

I know there are even more things to do and see in Marseille and I want to hear ideas from you! Comment below or head over to our Travel Fun Music Community Facebook Page , Travel Inspiration Instagram account or join the Our Travel Addict Conversations on Twitter. You can also leave tips in the comments on the Travel Fun Music YouTube Channel . Use the #travelfunmusic hashtag and it’ll show up on our website.

P.S. I've also received these questions. Don't worry - I haven't forgotten you folks! I just haven't had the chance to update this article to answer them yet! Sorry!