Marseille is the oldest and second largest city in France and a fascinating destination with its history, cosmopolitan atmosphere and unique views of the Mediterranean Sea. Founded in 600 BC by the Greeks of Phocaea, this port city has been a center of trade, migration and cultural interaction throughout history. Located at the western tip of the French Riviera, Marseille is one of the most vibrant and lively cities on the Côte d’Azur. More than 100 different ethnic communities live in the city.
📍 Geography of Marseille and Provence
Marseille is located on the Mediterranean coast, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. The city stands out for its natural beauty with its limestone cliffs, deep bays (Calanques) and wide harbor. Under the influence of the Le Mistral winds, Marseille has a climate with cool winters and hot, dry summers.
⏳ History of Marseille
Marseille Cuisine: Rich Flavors of Provence and the Mediterranean
Marseille’s cuisine is a combination of fresh Mediterranean seafood, herbs of Provence and cosmopolitan culture. Since the city is France’s largest port, its cuisine is also influenced by African, Middle Eastern and Southern European influences. Here are some of the flavors you must taste in Marseille:
🏛️ Details That Make Marseille Unique
The Vieux-Port (Old Port) is the beating heart of Marseille. At sunrise, fishermen sell their fresh catch, while a walk along the harbor at sunset is a unique experience. Le Panier is Marseille’s oldest neighborhood, worth exploring for its colorful streets and art workshops. Calanques National Park is a paradise for nature lovers. You can hike, swim in the clear waters or take a boat trip. Noailles Market is an open-air market full of spices, fresh vegetables and exotic products, reflecting the multicultural character of Marseille. La Corniche, the coastal path along the Mediterranean coast, offers spectacular views and is especially great for cycling. Château d’If is the historic island that inspired Alexandre Dumas’ famous novel The Count of Monte Cristo.
Here’s our travel guide to Marseille and the surrounding area, including restaurants and places to visit that we tried and enjoyed!
Restaurants:
La Mercerie
Otto Marseille🍝
La Boite a Sardine🦪
La Cantinetta🍝
AM par A. Mazzia 🌟
La Bonne Mere🍕
La Poule Noire🐓
Ripaille Marseille 🍽️
Chez Etienne🇮🇹
Livingston, 🍷
Chez Yassine, affordable Tunisian cuisine 🇹🇳
Epicerie L’ideal, market + restaurant 🥪
Cafe & Bakery:
T65 Boulangerie🥐
La Tisserie☕️
M. Saint Honore
Ferments Bakery
Chez Lucas, 🥖🥪
Petrin Couchette
Deep Coffee
La Brulerie MÖKA
Eclectique
Boujou Coffee
Old Port (Vieux-Port)
Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde
Le Panier, Noailles & Cours Julien
MUCEM
Musee Regards de Provence
Musee Cantini
Cathedrale La Major
Château d’If
Calanques National Park
Palais Longchamp
La Corniche
Fort Saint-Nicolas & Fort Saint-Jean
Parc Borely
Unité d’habitation
Marseille is different from classic French cities like Paris or Lyon. It is more vibrant, more energetic and more cosmopolitan. Mediterranean culture, African and Middle Eastern influences and French lifestyle are intertwined in the city. It is worth exploring with its historic harbor, colorful neighborhoods, lively markets and magnificent nature.
Before we start, if you want to check our recommendations for other cities like Paris or Nice, here are our guides to French cities. You can find our Paris guide here and our Nice recommendations here.
Marseille is one of the most controversial cities in France in terms of security. You need to be careful especially at night and in non-touristy areas. The Old Port and tourist areas are generally safe, but Noailles and some suburbs can be a bit risky late at night. We did not experience any unsettling incidents, in fact we thought that certain neighborhoods in Istanbul were much more dangerous. The most common thefts are of cars, so if you are traveling by car, be careful where you park it and don’t leave valuables in it, and if you rent a car, we recommend getting full insurance.
Marseille is one of the most vibrant cities of the Mediterranean cuisine. From seafood to Provence cuisine, from Italian-influenced trattorias to Michelin-starred restaurants, the city offers a wide range of culinary experiences. Here are our favorite restaurants and café-bakery recommendations in Marseille:
La Mercerie ✨: Offering one of the best examples of modern French cuisine, La Mercerie stands out with its creative dishes prepared with seasonal and local products. The menu, prepared with the innovative touches of the chefs, changes frequently. Especially trying the tasting menu can be a pleasant experience.
Otto Marseille 🍝: A great restaurant that blends Italian cuisine with Mediterranean touches. Their homemade pasta and especially their seafood linguine are very popular. Ideal for those who want fine dining in a rustic yet elegant atmosphere.
La Boite à Sardine 🦪: If you want to taste the best seafood in Marseille, this is your address! Fresh sardines, mussels and oysters are prepared here daily. It is an intimate and shabby place, but very satisfying in terms of flavors.
La Cantinetta 🍝: If you are looking for an authentic Italian restaurant in Marseille, La Cantinetta is an excellent option. Famous for its homemade pasta, burrata and freshly prepared tiramisu. It offers a pleasant dining experience in a beautiful courtyard.
AM par A. Mazzia 🌟: One of the most exclusive Michelin-starred restaurants in Marseille. Chef Alexandre Mazzia’s innovative and artistic dishes are a unique experience for gastronomy enthusiasts. The tasting menu is quite impressive, but reservations well in advance are a must!
La Bonne Mère 🍕:One of the best pizzerias in Marseille. The pizzas cooked in the wood oven are delicious and the ingredients are of high quality. A great option for those who want to eat a delicious pizza in a friendly atmosphere.
La Poule Noire 🐓: A small but elegant French restaurant. The menu of starter, main course and dessert is 55€. Especially the foie gras, scallops and the duck breast are recommended.
Ripaille Marseille 🍽️: Ripaille is a great option for those who love classic French cuisine. A pleasant option for lunch on the streets of Le Panier. Choose from the daily changing menu.
Chez Etienne 🇮🇹: One of Marseille’s favorite restaurants. Famous for its delicious pizzas and simple but delicious pasta.
Livingston 🍷: A great place for wine lovers. It offers a pleasant dinner with natural wines and creative small plates. The atmosphere is warm and cozy, we especially recommend trying the wine pairing menu.
Glossary
Chez Yassine 🇹🇳: something affordable but tasty in Marseille for those who want to eat is one of the best options. This small restaurant specialises in Tunisian cuisine, It is especially famous for itsbrik ( fried fritters with egg and tuna ) and couscous.
Épicerie L’Idéal: It is both a gourmet market and a great restaurant. It stands out with its simple but delicious dishes prepared with seasonal and local products. A great option for lunch.
T65 Boulangerie 🥐: One of the best bakeries in Marseille. Their buttery croissants and sourdough bread are very famous. A perfect stop for breakfast in the morning.
La Tisserie ☕️: A great place for coffee lovers. Offering third wave coffee, this cafe is successful with both espresso-based drinks and filter coffees.
M. Saint Honoré: A patisserie famousfor its desserts. The products run out early.
Ferments Bakery : A bakery that stands out with its sourdough breads and croissants. You can find one of the best baguettes in Marseille here.
Chez Lucas 🥖🥪: A bakery famous for its breads and sandwiches. If you are looking for something quick but tasty for lunch, this is a great option.
Petrin Couchette: One of the best coffee shops in Marseille. We can call it a neighbourhood coffee shop with simple breakfasts, sandwiches and small homemade desserts. Ideal for a sweet break with your coffee.
Deep Coffee: One of the best coffee shopsin the city.
La Brûlerie MÖKA: Another pleasant address for those who love cafe culture in Marseille.
Marseille is full of historical landmarks, colourful neighbourhoods, magnificent museums and natural wonders. From its historic harbour (Vieux-Port) to the breathtaking bays of Calanques, from art-filled museums to vibrant neighbourhoods, there is so much to discover in the city. Here are the places you must see in Marseille:
Old Port (Vieux-Port) – The Heart of Marseille
Marseille’s historic harbour is one of the most lively spots in the city. In the mornings, fishermen sell fresh seafood, while later in the day you can walk along the waterfront, sit in cafes and go on boat trips.
What to do?
Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde – Best Viewpoint
Marseille’s most iconic building! This basilica is located at the highest point of the city, One of the best places to enjoy a panoramic view of Marseille. The gilded statue of the Virgin Mary was built by Marseille sailors to protect the city.
What to do?
Le Panier, Noailles and Cours Julien – Marseille’s colourful neighbourhoods
The different districts of Marseille are ideal for discovering the multicultural character of the city.
MUCEM – Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations
One of the most modern and impressive museums in Marseille. With its collections of both historical and contemporary art, it offers a broad overview of Mediterranean civilisations.
What to do?
🎟 Ticket: 11€
Grotte Cosquer – Depths of Prehistoric Art
This is one of the newest museums in Marseille and it is quite impressive. Created by copying prehistoric cave paintings discovered below sea level, this museum allows you to experience one of the most important archaeological discoveries in France.
🎟 Ticket: 16€.
Musée Regards de Provence – A Paradise for Art Lovers
Focusing on Mediterranean art, this museum exhibits works by painters of the region.
🎟 Ticket: 8€
Musée Cantini – For Modern Art Lovers
This museum houses works by artists such as Picasso, Matisse and Miró, a great stop for lovers of modern art.
🎟 Ticket: 6€
Cathédrale La Major – Marseille’s Flamboyant Cathedral
Cathédrale La Major , the largest cathedral in Marseille, draws attention with itsByzantine architecture. It also has a very impressive view with its location close to the harbour.
Château d’If – The Prison of the Count of Monte Cristo
This is the island prison that inspired the famous novel The Count of Monte Cristo! Château d’If , off the coast of Marseille, One of the must-see places with itshistory and mystery.
🎟 Boat Fee: 10-15€
🎟 Museum Entrance: 6€
Calanques National Park – Marseille’s Natural Wonder
Stretching between Marseille and Cassis, this national park is famous for its limestone cliffs surrounded by turquoise waters. You can hike, swim or take a boat trip.
Palais Longchamp – Marseille’s Most Beautiful Palace and Park
This impressive building was built to commemorate the bringing of water to Marseille. It is worth seeing both for itsmagnificent architecture and the museums inside.
La Corniche – Marseille’s Coastal Road
Here you can enjoy one of the most beautiful sea views in Marseille. It’s a great place for cycling, walking or sitting in the cafes on the waterfront.
Fort Saint-Nicolas & Fort Saint-Jean – Historic Castles of Marseille
These forts guard the entrance to Marseille and are ideal for those who want to look atthe city from a historical perspective. Fort Saint-Jean is linked to MUCEM and offersspectacular views.
Parc Borély – The Most Beautiful Green Space in the City
One of the favourite parksof Marseillais with its large gardens, pond and walking paths. A great option for a picnic or to enjoy nature.
Unité d’Habitation – Le Corbusier’s Marvel of Modern Architecture
This building, designed by Le Corbusier, is one of the most important examples of modern architecture. Itcontains a hotel, a restaurant and an art gallery.
🎟 Roof Terrace: 5€
How to plan a trip in Marseille?
Les Goudes – The Undiscovered Corner of Marseille
If you want to get away from the centre of Marseille, Les Goudes is a great option. This area is a small fishing village, It is very close to theCalanques National Park and is the perfect spot to get in touch with nature.
What to do?
🚍 Getting there: about 45 minutes by bus from Marseille.
L’Estaque – Cézanne’s Inspiration
Located in the northwest of Marseille, this neighbourhood has been a source of inspiration for artists. Painters such as Paul Cézanne and Georges Braque produced works here. Today it offers the atmosphere of a quiet seaside town.
What to do?
🚉 Transport: 15 minutes by train from Marseille .
Vallon des Auffes – Marseille’s Most Photogenic Spot
Vallon des Auffes, one of the most charming places in Marseille, is a small fishing port. With its colourful boats, narrow streets and seaside restaurants, it is like a Mediterranean postcard.
What to do?
🚶♂️ Getting there: 20 minutes on foot from Vieux-Port.
Frioul Islands – Marseille’s Secret Bays
Located just off Château d’If, Frioul Islands, A great route for those who want to escape the crowds of Marseille. Turquoise coloured waters, Withdeserted beaches and hiking trails you can make a discovery in touch with nature.
What to do?
🚢 Getting there: 20 minutes by ferry from Vieux-Port.
🎟 Ferry Fare: Approx. 11€ round trip.
Abbey of Saint-Victor – One of the oldest buildings in Marseille
This monastery , one of the oldest historical buildings in Marseille, is a Benedictine monastery dating from the 5th. It is a Benedictine monastery dating from the century. This building has an important place in the history of Christianity, It has an impressive atmosphere with itsgothic architecture and its location overlooking the harbour of Marseille.
What to do?
🚶♂️ Getting there: 15 minutes on foot from Vieux-Port
As Marseille is located in the heart of the Provence region , there are countless wonderful destinations to discover around it. Historic towns, cities intertwined with art, breathtaking natural landscapes and cosy cottages on the Mediterranean coast Theharbour towns are a short journey away.
6 routes from Marseille that you can easily reachby train or bus Get ready to discover the most beautiful corners of Provence!
Cassis is famous for its small harbour, colourful houses and the magnificent Calanques coves. It is one of the most popular destinations for a day getaway from Marseille.
How to get there?
What to do?
🎟 Calanques Boat Tour: 20-30€ (Depends on the route chosen)
Aix-en-Provence is one of the most beautiful cities in Provence with its elegant streets, historic fountains and art-filled atmosphere. It is also famous as the place where Paul Cézanne was born and lived.
How to get there?
What to do?
🎟 Cézanne’s Workshop Entrance Fee: 6,50€
Avignon is famous for its historic centre , which retains itsmedieval splendour , and its UNESCO World Heritage Site.
How to get there?
What to do?
🎟 Palais des Papes Entrance Fee: 12-17€
Lourmarin is like a fairytale town with its stone houses, narrow streets and bohemian atmosphere.
How to get there?
What to do?
🎟 Lourmarin Castle Entrance Fee: 8€
Arles is famous for its Roman ruins and landscapes that inspired Van Gogh’s paintings.
How to get there?
What to do?
🎟 Roman Amphitheatre Entrance Fee: 9-11€
Aubagne is the birthplace of the French writer and filmmaker Marcel Pagnol. At the same time, the best ceramic workshops of Provence are here. During our trip to Marseille, we stayed in Aubagne as there were affordable houses and there was no car parking problem.
How to get there?
What to do?
🗓️ Day 1: Discover the Heart of Marseille
(History, Culture and Seascapes)
☕ Breakfast: T65 Boulangerie 🥐
🚶♂️ Morning: Old Port and Le Panier Neighborhood
🍽️ Lunch: Chez Etienne 🇮🇹
🏛️ Afternoon: MUCEM & Fort Saint-Jean
🌅 Sunset: Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde
🍷 Dinner: La Mercerie ✨
🗓️ Day 2: Cassis & Calanques National Park
(Nature, Sea and the French Riviera )
☕ Breakfast: La Tisserie ☕️
🚗 Morning: Journey to Cassis (30 mins)
🍽️ Lunch: Epicerie L’ideal 🥪 (on the way back to Marseille)
🏞️ Afternoon: Calanques Boat Trip or Hike
🌅 Afternoon: Return to Marseille & La Corniche Coastal Road
🍽️ Dinner: La Boîte à Sardine 🦪
🗓️ Day 3: Pretty Villages of Provence (Aix-en-Provence & Lourmarin)
(Art, History and Fairytale Villages of Provence)
☕ Breakfast: Deep Coffee ☕️
🚗 Morning: Journey to Aix-en-Provence (30-40 min)
🍽️ Lunch: Ripaille Marseille 🍽️
🚗 Afternoon: Transit to Lourmarin (45 mins)
🌅 Afternoon: Return to Marseille (1 hour)
🍷 Evening: Livingston 🍷
🗓️ Day 4: Arles & Avignon
(Art, History and Medieval Atmosphere)
☕ Breakfast: Ferments Bakery 🍞
🚆 Morning: Journey to Arles (50 mins)
🍽️ Lunch: Chez Yassine 🇹🇳 (Return to Marseille)
🏛️ Afternoon: Avignon Discovery
🚆 Afternoon: Return to Marseille (40 mins)
🌟 Dinner: AM par A. Mazzia 🌟
