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Things to do in Marseille

As the second largest city in France, there are plenty of things to do in Marseille to keep you entertained when you visit.

As the oldest city in the country, you may not be surprised to know that many of the things to do in Marseille, such as discovering the destination’s impressive history and culture.

Located on the sunny and sophisticated French Riviera, Marseille is a top choice for travellers seeking a stylish yet vibrant escape. With its mix of beautiful beaches, excellent dining, and lively nightlife, it’s easy to see why this dynamic coastal city attracts so many visitors.

Driving from Calais to Marseille takes around 10 hours, but it’s an excellent opportunity to turn your journey into a French road trip adventure. With incredible cities like Reims and Lyon along the way, you can explore even more of France’s cultural and culinary highlights before arriving in Marseille.

Some of the best things to do in Marseille include visiting the historic Old Port and exploring Le Panier district, relaxing at Plage du Prado, or hiking in the stunning Calanques National Park.

If you’re travelling by car, consider upgrading to one of our Flexi tickets for added peace of mind. Both our Standard Flexi and Fully Flexi options let you adjust your return time, giving you the freedom to take the scenic route home and discover even more of France without worrying about missing your Dover to Calais ferry crossing.

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Things to do in Marseille

Best Things to see in Marseille

One of the most fascinating things to do in Marseille is to explore some of the impressive buildings scattered around the city. Due to its age, Marseille offers examples of a whole range of different types of architecture from a number of periods, which makes it especially interesting.

Notre Dame de la Garde sits on top of a hill overlooking both the city and the sea, so not only is the building impressive itself, but the views it offers are simply amazing, too. The interior of the basilica has been decorated with mosaics, murals, and coloured marble, plus there is a 9.7m tall gilded statue of ‘La Bonne Mère’ on a 12 m-high pedestal to admire, making it one of the best places to visit in Marseille.

One of the most popular things to do in Marseille is visit its well-known cathedral. Marseille Cathedral, or Cathedrale de la Major, is a national monument in France and the only cathedral built in the country during the 19th century. The building is fascinating as it is made from two combined buildings: Old Major and New Major. Old Major was built in the 4th century and has survived for many years. The cathedral can hold 3,000 people, which tells you just how large and impressive the building is.

Places to visit in Marseille

Marseille’s rich history means that every part of the city has a story to tell, and you can easily immerse yourself in its culture by visiting some of its most vibrant and energetic areas.

No trip to Marseille is complete without a trip to the Vieux Port, the old port, which is the perfect place to sit and relax while you watch the world go by. Each day, you will see fishermen bringing in their haul to be sold at the seafood market, and there are plenty of lovely places to eat in Marseille where you can indulge in delicious seafood dishes that have been expertly cooked for you.

Another place to visit in Marseille is Le Panier, a lively and atmospheric place that claims to be the oldest urban quarter in Marseille. Spend time wandering around boutiques and craft shops, exploring museums, admire impressive street art, and even see where Napoleon used to live.

Things to do in Marseille with families

Marseille is a popular destination for families as it has many museums that offer plenty to see and explore. One of the most interesting museums in the city is the MuCEM, which covers everything you could ever wish to know about Mediterranean culture and history. This museum offers information through exhibitions, short films, and lectures and is spread out across three buildings, the newest of which has a modern and contemporary design.

Another thing to do in Marseille with kids who love art is visit the Musée des Beaux-Arts. This museum is full of paintings, drawings, and sculptures created between the 16th and 19th centuries, including work by some of the greatest Italian and French Masters. The museum also has a number of temporary exhibitions and a park, which is one of the few green areas great for the family to get outside in between visiting the city’s top exhibits.

Best Places to visit in Marseille

Marseille has lots of places to visit, but one of the best places is Les Calanques which is a national park located along the coast between Marseille and Cassis offering a very different experience to that of being in the city. With its limestone cliffs and picturesque bays, Les Calanques provides a great relaxing place and can only be reached via boat or kayak unless you are a confident hiker!

This is one of the most popular places to visit in Marseille for nature lovers, as its limestone cliffs have been home to several different animals and plants. The park is closed mid-summer due to a fire risk, so if it is at the top of your list to visit, make sure you avoid coming in the summer to avoid disappointment.

Top Ten Things to do in Marseille

With so many things to do and see in Marseille, it can be hard to pick your best places to visit. Below is our list of some of the best things to see that all the family will enjoy.

Explore the Old Port (Vieux-Port)
Wander Le Panier district
Visit Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde
Relax at Plage du Prado
Take a boat trip to the Calanques
Discover Château d’If
Stroll through Parc Longchamp
Eat fresh seafood at the Fish Market
Visit MuCEM
Browse Noailles Market

With so many things to do in Marseille for history fans, seafood lovers, or those looking for a break on the French Riviera with a difference, book your Dover to Calais crossing today and discover it for yourself.

Travelling by car? Why not upgrade to one of our Flexi ticket options for more freedom and peace of mind for your journey, or add access to our Club Lounge onto your ticket for some added relaxation and luxury. Find out more about our ticket types when placing your booking!

The Notre Dame de la Garde sits on top of a hill overlooking both the city and the sea, so not only is the building impressive itself, but the views it offers are also amazing

Bascilica Notre Dame in Marseille, France

FAQs:

1. Is Marseille worth visiting?

Yes, Marseille is definitely worth visiting. With plenty of things to do in Marseille, including its scenic coastline, historic Old Port, vibrant neighbourhoods like Le Panier, and easy access to the Calanques, it's a great destination for food lovers, culture seekers, and nature enthusiasts.

2. Where is Marseille?

Marseille is located on the Mediterranean coast in the south of France. It’s the capital of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region and the second-largest city in France, about 775 km (480 miles) southeast of Paris.

3. How to get to Marseille?

There are many different ways to travel to Marseille. But for those looking for a more slow and scenic experience, travelling by ferry offers the most relaxing and stress-free way. From our Calais port, it takes approximately 10 and a half hours to Marseille, perfect for the ultimate road trip. Along the way, you can visit other top spots on the coast. So why not book your ferry to France today and start planning your trip now?

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