Marseille Tourist Attractions

Sightseeing Overview

Marseille’s history has always been closely linked to the sea, and likewise many of its sights, from the obvious starting point of the Vieux Port, Marseille’s old port, to Notre Dame de la Garde (the church offering protection to sailors and fishermen) high on the hill overlooking the city, have some kind of connection to it. La Corniche and Les Plages (the beaches) near the Prado are popular, and for a bit of history and culture a walk through le Panier area (the oldest
part of town) and a visit to the Vieille Charite are a must. if the sun gets too much, there are several museums worth checking out, and the beautiful Abbaye St Victor too.

The tourist office has a good selection of leaflets in English covering the major places of interest in Marseille and the surrounding areas, as well as maps. There is another, smaller tourist office just opposite La Vieille Charite, in Le Panier district.

Passes

The Marseille City Pass includes free transportation (including a tiny sightseeing train and boat trip to the Chateau d’if), free entry to 14 museums and free guided tours. it is available for one or two days. Passes can be purchased from the tourist office or participating outlets. For more information, call (04) 91 13 89 00/17 or visit www.mairie-marseille.fr/decouvre/discover/visite.htm

Key Attractions:

Vieux Port (Old Port)

The Vieux Port, whose 3,000 boats are guarded by Fort St Nicholas and Fort St Jean at the entrance of the harbor, is the heart of Marseille. On the quai de Rive Neuve, check out La Criee (Marseille’s most famous theater, built in 1909 on the site of the old fish auction rooms, hence its name) and the Place Thiars, a lively square dotted with dozens of restaurants and bars, the ideal place to meet up for an al fresco evening during the balmy summer months. Then cross the harbor on an old wodden ferry, the oldest of its kind in France (the trip takes just over a couple of minutes) to the other side, quai du Port, to take a peek at the impressive 17th century Hotel de Ville (town hall). Walk back up towards the quai des Belges (this is where the famous fish market takes place in the morning) from where you will have the best view of the Canebière, the most famous street in the city, and the subject of a popular song.

Notre Dame de la Garde

The landmark Romanesque-Byzantine church, towering on the highest point of the city, was built in the 19th century. Affectionately called the Bonne Mere (good mother), the church is topped by a 9m (30-feet) gilded statue of the Virgin, who is said to offer protection to fishermen out at sea (hence all the small ship models offerings hanging in the nave). The site also affords magnificient views of the city spread out at its feet, and of the bay, with the Frioul archipelago in the distance.

Le Panier and the Vieille Charite

The maze of narrow streets found in the Quartier du Panier, the oldest part of the city, lead to the Vieille Charite, a pretty set of buildings dating back to the 17th century, originally designed to take in vagrants and orphans (hence the name). Today the complex is an art center, with two museums (the Mediterranean Archaeology Museum and the Museum of African, Oceanian and Amerindian Art), several art galleries, a cafe, a restaurant, and a bookshop. There is also an arthouse cinema, Le Mirroir, showing productions not on show anywhere else in town. The chapel, built by Pierre Puget, is in the French baroque style.

Abbaye de Saint Victor

This beautiful abbey was built in the 5th century on the burial place of Saint Victor, a Roman martyr who had died two centuries previously. The abbey was destroyed several times over the year, until it was fortified by Pope Urban V in the 14th century. Make sure you pay a visit to the beautiful crypt, where every year the faithful gather for Candlemas. The abbey regularly houses concerts of religious music.

Musees (Museums)

There are several museums worth visiting in Marseille. The Musee de la Mode, which has an interesting collection of over 6,000 costumes and accessories; the Musee Cantini, which boasts one of the richest French public collections devoted to 20th century art, including works by Matisse, Miro, Ernst, Bacon, Picasso, Derain and Bathus among many others; the Musee d’Histoire Naturelle and the Musee des Beaux Arts, both housed in the impressive Palais Longchamp; and the nearby Musee Grobet-Labadie, which includes exquisite Louis XV and Louis XVi furniture, as well as an outstanding collection of medieval Burgundian and Provençal sculpture, Gobelin tapestries; paintings; and faience.

La Corniche J F Kennedy et les Plages (The Corniche and the Beaches)

La Corniche is the road that follows the sea, from the Catalans (just behind the Pharo at the entrance to the Vieux Port) to the enormous marble statue of David (a copy of the famous statue by Michelangelo) some 3.5km further east. Keep an eye out for the Vallon des Auffes, a picturesque fishermen’s village nestled in a little creek; a huge portrait of local football hero Zinedine Zidane, as well as several gorgeous private villas, some now housing thalassotherapy centers (see for example www.chateauberger.com), before reaching the Prado beaches, the Marseillais’ meeting point for sunbathing and swimming in summer, and walking, jogging and kite flying in winter. The road continues all the way to La Pointe Rouge, where you will find yet more beaches, a little harbor and plenty of surf shops (the area is popular for all kinds of watersports).

Further Distractions:

Parc Borely

Half way between Le Prado and the Corniche is the Parc Borely. The parc is a tranquil expanse of greenery complete with a lake with ducks and rowing boats for hire, a botanical garden, a rose garden and even a ‘chateau’. Cycling is allowed in the park, and you can hire bicycles at the entrance gate.

Avenue Borely, 8e

Les Goudes

La Madrague, la Baie des Singes, les Goudes, Callelongue: check out these little fishermen’s villages on the outskirts of Marseille, picturesque homes to the famous ‘cabanons’ of yore, that haven’t changed in decades.

Le Musee de l’OM

Next to the famous Stade Velodrome, Marseille’s temple to the beautiful game, and the stage for so many of the highs and lows of the local team’s supporters… a museum for footie fans, with plenty of information on the local team, l’OM (Olympique Marseillaise).

Le Musee du Vieux Marseille a la Maison Diamantee

Not far from the town hall, and housed in unique building dating back to the 16th century, this museum houses furniture, playing cards, cribs and santons of local Marseille life in from the 17th to the 19th century.