Things to do in Marseille
The city and its surroundings is a blessed place for tourists. Some of Marseille top rated attractions overview (travel guide will be necessary to you in any case):
Vieux-Port (Old Port): an ancient sea entrance to France's oldest city. It is a fine place to start your excursions from. Many Marseille's sights are seen (The old Town Hall, Cathedral de la Major) or easily accessible from here. Vieux-Port is surrounded by small streets with indigenous french shops and seafood restaurants. Real and regular fish market begins its busy work, every morning of the week, at the left end of the Vieux-port.:
Cathedral de la Major: Its official name is "Sainte-Marie- Major Cathedral" or "Marseille Cathedral" in short. There are two cathedrals one by another: a great one, the hugest in the Europe, nicely decorated, which is the seat of the Archdiocese of Marseille. And another one - the oldest church in Marseille, an ancient building, which leads its history from the antique Temple of Diana.
Fort Saint Jean: impressive and old fortification (built in1660) keeping watch over the passage to Marseille. Also was used as a prison, amoung its most famous prisoners were Duke of Montpensier Antoine Philippe and Duke of Orleans Louis Philippe II.
Fort Saint-Nicolas: is situated at the passage to Marseille on the south bank of the bay. Fort Saint-Nicolas has retained some of its previous military importance: one of its towers is now home to the famous French Foreign Legion. Not but that, excursion is easy available through the Vieux-Port tourist office.
Chateau d'If - was built in 1524 as a fortress on an island a mile from Marseille's port. Ambitious construction. Became a state prison since the beginning of the17th century. This is the very place, the famous french writer Dumas had described in his great novel The Count of Monte Cristo. Open for public visits. Tour boats leave from old harbor of Vieux-Port.
Palais de Longchamp (Palais et parc Longchamp) - nicely decorated "old French-style" park and palace.
Palais du Pharo an impressive waterfront palace with a beautiful garden (Pharo Garden). You'll find a monument there in the garden honoring the victims of the sea.
Take trip to small town of Cassis and to the Cap Canaille with maritime tour to discover the beautifull coastal line (the Calanques).
Visit the nice old city of Aix en Provence with many of its own sights, the place where great Paul Cezanne lived and painted for long years. Drive time from Marseilles to Aix en Provence is 30 minutes or less.
Take tour to to the ancient city of Arles (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Drive time from Marseilles to Arles is approximately 1 hour.
And mach more of other sights and activities... Use your printed travel guide, which is indispensable when you are traveling to Marseille...
Marseille is famous for its restaurants with provencal and mediterranean cuisine. Our advice: try marseilles olive oil soap and bouillabaisse.
