Address • 86 Quai du Port 13002 Marseille Phone • +33 (0)4 91 52 89 39
ENGLISHFRANÇAIS

Visit Marseille

The must-see places

Marseille, a magnificent Mediterranean city steeped in history and rich in culture, invites you to relax and discover.

The beaches, creeks and monuments of this city of art and culture will not fail to seduce you, but you are not yet at the end of your surprises.

Visit Marseille

The must-see places

Marseille, a magnificent Mediterranean city steeped in history and rich in culture, invites you to relax and discover.

The beaches, creeks and monuments of this city of art and culture will not fail to seduce you, but you are not yet at the end of your surprises.

MARSEILLE CITY HALL

The Marseille City Hall, located on the Quai du Port in the 2nd arrondissement of Marseille, is a 17th century building which houses the office of the Mayor of Marseille. Classified as a Historic Monument in 1948, the Town Hall is a must-see during your stay in Marseille.

LA CRIÉE THEATRE

La Criée, the emblematic theatre of the city of Marseille, has stood proudly since 1909 at the end of the Rive Neuve quay on the Vieux-Port. Before having a cultural vocation, the establishment was for several decades a market where fish was sold wholesale and "à la criée".

PALAIS DU PHARO

Destined to become an imperial residence, the Palais du Pharo, a magnificent Napoleonic building, is worth a visit, as much for its architecture as for its park, which offers an incredible view of the Vieux-Port and the north coast of Marseille.

FORT SAINT-NICOLAS

Fort Saint Nicolas is a military building that was used not so much to protect the city against invasions, but above all to protect itself from the people of Marseille and their independent and rebellious spirit. It faces Fort Saint Jean, located on the other side of the Old Port.

VALLON DES AUFFES

The Vallon des Auffes is a small traditional fishing port where the authenticity of Marseille has been preserved. Located just off the Corniche Kennedy, between the Catalan beach and the Malmousque bay, it is one of the places not to be missed during a visit to Marseille.

CORNICHE J.F. KENNEDY

Popular with locals and tourists alike, the Corniche offers a spectacular view of the sea, the Frioul Islands, the Château d'If, the Vallon des Auffes, villas such as the Villa Valmer or the Villa de Gaby Deslys, or the famous David which ends the avenue to the south.

BASILICA OF NOTRE-DAME DE LA GARDE

The Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde is the city's emblem, the religious building that has shaped the landscape of Marseille. Located at the top of the hill near the Old Port, it dominates the whole city and offers an exceptional view. It is considered to watch over the city and the fishermen.

SAINT-VICTOR ABBEY

Saint Victor's Abbey is one of the places not to be missed in Marseille. A visit to this building and its crypts plunges you into the city's religious past and offers a breathtaking view of the Old Port.

PLACE AUX HUILES

A few steps from the Old Port, the Place aux Huiles is an old square along a canal that used to unload barrels of oil for the soap makers. Today it is a friendly place with bars, restaurants and small pleasant shops.

CANEBIERE

Canebière is of course a must-see, whether you are a local or a tourist. Nevertheless, the time when one came to La Canebière to shop is long gone. Nevertheless, it remains a must-see. The inhabitants of Marseille, as well as the tourists, crowd into the small streets in a friendly and commercial atmosphere.

CONSIGNES SANITAIRES (FORMER CUSTOMS)

The Consignes Sanitaires building, built in 1719 by the architect Mazin, was constructed to house the doctors and surgeons responsible for the sanitary control of sailors and ships entering the port of Marseille. It was the headquarters of the sanitary intendance until the 19th century, when the customs building was built identically.

CATHEDRAL OF LA MAJOR

The Cathedral of Sainte-Marie-Majeure, known as the Cathedral of La Major by the people of Marseille, is one of the emblems of Marseille because it is unique and represents the power of the city. Today, you can't visit Marseille without marvelling at La Major.

PANIER DISTRICT

Le Panier is located on a hillock in the centre of Marseille, its narrow streets intertwine and lead to pleasant squares. Being in Le Panier is like being in a charming Provencal village and forgetting that you are in the centre of Marseille.

OLD CHARITY

The Vieille Charité, which was once a place of refuge for the city's poor and beggars, is naturally located in the heart of the Panier district, the city's historic centre. This emblematic place of Old Marseille now houses a real cultural centre.

DOCKS VILLAGE

In the heart of the Joliette district, Les Docks Village offers a new generation of urban lifestyle centre, combining shopping and leisure, in a historic building symbolic of the port.

TERRASSES DU PORT

A must-see shopping destination in Marseille, Les Terrasses du Port is located in a lively, animated and culturally rich environment that offers a variety of services to visitors.

MUCEM

The Mucem is an exceptional jewel with a unique architecture. More than a museum, the Mucem is an emblematic site symbolising the marriage of Marseilles and the Mediterranean, and is a source of pride for the inhabitants.

FORT SAINT-JEAN

Fort Saint-Jean marks the entrance to the Old Port and offers an exceptional view of the city. It is now part of the MuCEM, to which it is linked by an imposing ultra-modern footbridge overlooking the sea.