Marseilles holidays and city breaks

History:

As the oldest city in France, Marseille is a treasure trove of historic buildings and cultural attractions. Begin your explorations at the Old Port where you can catch a ferry to the famous Chateau d’If or set your sights on the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde or the Longchamp Palace.

Festivals:

Marseille is famed for hosting festivals throughout the year, so no matter when you take your Marseille holiday there’s bound to be something being celebrated. To give you a taste of what to expect, there’s the Carnival, the Kite Flying festival and The Santon Fair where the famous Christmas crib figurines of Provencal people are sold.

Le Panier:

This colourful quirky neighbourhood is a must see when on your Marseilles city break. From its unique street art to its cool cafes and artisanal shops, Le Panier is a gear change from the bustling city and the perfect place to relax and people watch.

Nature:

Embrace the adventurous side of Marseille with a trip to the Calanques, a coastal national park with magnificent rock formations and underwater caves. Explore from the coast by boat or on foot by hiking the rugged limestone terrain.

Nightlife:

Marseille offers a thriving and eclectic nightlife scene from cosy bars in the old port to ultra sleek rooftops bars overlooking the city lights. A popular hub for party goers in Le Cours Julien which has a bohemian, artsy vibe while La Plaine is favoured by the younger, livelier tourists.

Notre Dame du la Garde:

The shining beacon of Marseille keeps watch over the city with a 360-degree panoramic view. You may not get as high as the gilded Virgin Mary at 11.20 metres but climb the stairs and bask in the glorious sights of the city and the Mediterranean. The interior of the basilica is equally breath taking.

Chateau d’If:

Walk in the footsteps of Dantes, the literary hero of Alexandre Dumas’s The Count of Monte Cristo. Unlike the novel’s beloved character, you won’t want to plan your escape any time soon. The fortress on the island d’If served as a prison for centuries and was the setting of the classic novel. Now it’s one of Marseilles top tourist attractions.

Palais Longchamp:

Built as a practical water reservoir in the 19th Century, this grand monument has since become a beauty focal point for Marseilles. Take a picnic to the park and enjoy the serenity of the water feature and craftmanship of the open colonnade.

Marseille Cathedral:

Known locally as La Major, this impressive structure was built with pink stone and comprises of a choir, a vaulted dome and a bell tower. It is adorned with ornate mosaics and is the oldest church in Marseille.

The Orange Velodrome:

Explore the home ground of beloved local football club Olympique de Marseille. Take a seat in the changing rooms, run out onto the pitch and admire the winning trophies.

Bouillabaisse:

Satisfy any rumbling tummy with this iconic fish soup that combines fresh succulent local fish with a broth flavoured with saffron, fennel and garlic.

Tapenade:

Nibble on this well-loved paste of olives, anchovies, capers, olive oil and garlic. Eat with crusty bread or vegetable crudité.

Navettes:

For something sweet try these orange blossom flavoured boat shaped biscuits. Other flavours include chocolate, vanilla, lavender and cinnamon.

Panisse:

These Provencal pancakes made with chickpea flavour cut in various shapes are sold by the dozen by street vendors or in restaurants.

Pieds Paquets:

A local speciality for the more adventurous diner is this lambs’ feet and tripe dish, stewed for seven hours with salt pork, garlic and onions.

Public Transport:

Marseille has an excellent public transport system called the RTM which includes two metro lines, 80 bus lines and three tram lines. The easy-to-use ticket machines are placed at point of boarding.

Taxi:

The city has 1,560 taxi drivers which are based out of 85 stations throughout the city.

Sea Shuttles:

For a unique experience opt for one of these ferries that sail from port to port. Tickets must be bought on board and for cash only.