France's second largest city by population and the oldest by history never ceases to renew itself. Beyond the clichés of its Old Port, its Velodrome stadium and its beaches, Marseille invites you to a real cultural (re)discovery: artistic, but also gastronomic, ecological and human... Just like the Phocaean city, whose charm lies in its authenticity, diversity and simplicity. So, as soon as the first days of spring arrive, make a date with the Bouches-du-Rhône!
Marseille, crossroads of Mediterranean cultures
2,600 years have passed since the legendary marriage of Gyptis, the daughter of King Nann, chief of the Segobriges (a Ligurian tribe), and Protis, a Greek sailor from Phocaea, who founded Massalia! First the Greeks, then the Romans, and from the 19th century onwards the Italians, Armenians, North Africans and Turks... A historical and cultural wealth recounted by the Museum of History, near the Garden of the Vestiges, in the Centre Bourse, legacy of Greek archaeological treasures discovered on the site in 1967. This oriental and Mediterranean influence can be found in the Byzantine-inspired architecture of certain key monuments such as the sumptuous Cathedral de la Major and the famous Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, both the work of the architect Henri-Jacques Espérandieu (1829-1874)
In keeping with history, the MuCEM (Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations) was designed by the architects Rudy Ricciotti and Roland Carta. While it has received the national collections of the former Musée national des arts et traditions populaires (MNATP), the Musée de l'Homme and part of those of the former Musée des Arts d'Afrique et d'Océanie, it also offers many first-class temporary exhibitions. The Villa Méditerranée was designed by the architect Stefano Boeri. A real technological feat, this exhibition space features a room immersed under the sea! A bridge between East and West, these two places symbolise the multiple dialogues between Mediterranean cultures
Many unmissable visits
Of course, don't forget to stroll around the Old Port, to take a look at the neo-classical Opera House or the Saint-Victor Abbey. Not forgetting the "Good Mother" (the Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde Basilica), which watches over the city from a height of 149 m and remains the most visited monument in the city. On the other side of the river, the Panier district, a historic part of the city, has become more popular due to the influx of tourists and the success of the series Plus belle la vie. Still in the Panier, stands the majestic Vieille-Charité, whose flamboyant baroque style is attributed to the great Marseille architect Pierre Puget. But Marseille is not only about its port. There are also magnificent parks and gardens, sometimes in the middle of the city, such as the XXVIth Centenary or the Palais-Longchamp
And, at every street corner, you just have to look up to see architectural treasures (sometimes poorly displayed): churches, fountains, sculptures adorning the facades of buildings (caryatids, virgins...). Although most of the cultural sites are located in the city centre, efforts have been made to "decentralise" the cultural spaces. This is the case for the Château de La Buzine in the 11th arrondissement, dear to Marcel Pagnol, which now houses a "cinema city" in a preserved environment. The same goes for the Friche de La Belle-de-Mai. Neglected since the closure of the Manufacture des Tabacs in 1990, this industrial wasteland is now home to three centres dedicated to the multimedia, digital and cultural industries
Marseille, a city with many facets
Known as the city of 111 districts, Marseille is uniquely cosmopolitan, symbolised by the Tree of Hope in the XXVIth Centenary Park, on which are inscribed the names of inhabitants who have applied to the town hall. From the plush villas of Avenue du Prado to the large housing estates in the northern districts, the disparities are significant. That said, this disparity often exists within the same district, and it is also what makes the soul of the city. In its centre, Haussmannian buildings stand side by side with insalubrious buildings, popular and colourful markets (Les Capucins, Noailles, La Plaine...) and luxury boutiques (rue Paradis), near the famous pedestrian shopping street Saint-Ferréol or "Saint-Fé". Do not hesitate to venture off the beaten track
Beaches, creeks and hiking, nature at your fingertips
Marseille is also an exceptional environment. A rare large French city built on the sea, it offers 57 km of coastline from north to south, from west to east... Starting with the Corniche Kennedy when coming from the city centre is a must. You will find the beach closest to the port and the oldest, the Catalan beach, followed by the beach of the Prophet, which invites to meditation, as the rocks of Petit-Nice, from where you can easily dive from June to September in a water that only the mistral cools! Opposite, a small jewel carved into the rock, the Vallon des Auffes and its fishermen's houses offer a marine atmosphere conducive to a short lunch break in one of its typical restaurants for a good bouillabaisse. Before reaching the Prado beaches, undoubtedly the most popular, you can see the majestic statue of David, which marks the end of the Corniche. This is an ideal place to borrow a bike, jog or walk along the lanes and near the green areas along the coastline. The more curious will continue to Pointe-Rouge where charming straw huts await you as cafés or restaurants. At the end of the road, the famous calanques! Less known than those of Cassis, those of Marseille are however more numerous and just as beautiful. Their names are Callelongue, Sormiou, Morgiou, Sugiton... They are part of the Calanques National Park, which covers three municipalities (Marseille, Cassis and La Ciotat) and includes 8,300 hectares of coastal massifs and hills, and 43,500 hectares of sea and underwater canyons. The creeks are also a paradise for hikers, especially from Luminy. Further north, the Estaque chain also offers beautiful walks along the Côte Bleue, in the footsteps of Cézanne, Braque or Renoir. Out to sea, the Riou and Frioul archipelagos proudly stand out, made up of some fifteen islands and islets, including the famous Ile d'If, home to the castle that inspired Alexandra Dumas in her Count of Monte Cristo.
Useful information
When to visit? Marseille, bathed by the Mediterranean climate, can be visited all year round. Those who like the heat will prefer the summer season, which is ideal for swimming, festivals and outdoor parties
How to get there. By plane, the nearest airport is located in Marignane, 25 km from Marseille. By train, Marseille has two stations: Blancarde (for the TER) and Saint-Charles, the TGV station, which serves most cities. By road, you can choose between the Nationale 7 or the Autoroute du Soleil, which is a little expensive and often crowded, but very practical!
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