Cruise port Marseille 1 day. What sights of Marseille can you see in one day? We go to Notre-Dame de la Garde

September 27, sunny outside, +25, and the first stop of our liner in French city Marseille is the capital of Provence and the oldest city in France, whose history begins more than 2,500 years ago.

I never had a desire to visit Marseille specifically. I associated France exclusively with Paris, Eiffel Tower and the Champs Elysees. When you hear the word Marcel, only Dumas with his novel “The Count of Monte Cristo” and the well-known movie “Taxi” by Luc Besson come to mind. Realizing that we were unlikely to come to this city purposefully, we were happy to visit it on a cruise. And to get to know Marseille better, we took organized excursion from the ship.
Parking at the port 09:00 - 16:00.
The cost of the excursion for 1 adult is 56 €.

There were many people who wanted to go on an organized excursion from the ship. A line of buses departed from the landing site and circled around the port terminals. And finally, we went to the area of ​​​​the old port of Vieux (French Vieux Port), the first pier of which was built back in 1512. With the guide, our bus was lucky and unlucky at the same time, but more on that later. In the meantime, under the interesting story of the Guide, we drove along the embankment with many moored yachts and fishing boats, past the Saturday flower market and the snow-white church of Saint-Ferreol. Along the way, we noticed a ship with the sonorous name “Edmond Dantes” and the famous stop with a mirror canopy by Norman Foster. It seemed to me that the old port of Marseille is not only historical place city, but also quite popular among the local population. Contrary to popular belief that the area is criminal and full of emigrants, during the day it made a positive impression on us.

Having gone around the old port, leaving behind the powerful fortification structure of Fort Saint-Nicolas (Saint Nicholas), erected in 1664 by order of Louis XIV, our bus moved along the embankment. It was a warm Saturday morning, the local population of all ages was jogging along the embankment, recovering their health, undermined by oysters and Provençal wines :) Vacationers were already beginning to gather on the small city beaches. And the Friulian Islands appeared in our field of vision, the most famous and popular of which, of course, is the Isle of If. The two islands of the Friulian archipelago were once used as quarantine zones for cholera patients, and during the Second World War they were home to batteries German army. Today the Friulian Islands have been given the status nature reserve, and they are actively visited by tourists and lovers of natural beauty.

Our first short stop was on the embankment overlooking the Friulian Islands. And then it turned out that there was no guide on the second bus with Russian-speaking tourists. I think it’s not worth describing the indignation of a person who paid 56 € for an excursion and drove a good half of the way in complete silence. While our group walked along the embankment, took memorable photos with the Frioul Islands in the background and tried to spot the Chateau d'If, the guide had to repeat the first part of our excursion to the second group. And this happened throughout our entire trip! As I already wrote in my February review, MSC does not have microphones or special excursion radio equipment. Needless to say, our wonderful guide is coming to an end excursion trip became hoarse and lost her voice. Here’s a “pebble” for organizing excursions cruise company MSC.

And we again sat down in our seats and watched with interest out the window as the bus carefully and precisely climbed up the narrow and steep streets to the highest hill of Marseille. Here, at 160 m above sea level, is one of the symbols of the city, the Catholic Cathedral of Notre-Dame de la Garde, built in 1853 on the site of a 12th-century chapel. The Basilica once served as a lighthouse and was the patroness of sailors. Leads to the Cathedral high staircase, and the entire area around is an observation deck with a gorgeous 360° view.
I would immediately like to note the bell tower of the Basilica, about 60 meters high, which is crowned by a giant golden statue of the Holy Virgin Mary and Child. You look up and feel dizzy! The Cathedral itself seems to dominate the city, and the sparkling statue of the Virgin Mary is visible from almost anywhere in Marseille. The Basilica has two floors, but I got the feeling that these were two different Churches, placed on top of one another. On the lower tier there are tombs, the upper tier is more like a museum, there are models of ships, a lot of naval symbols, paintings of naval battles, and entire garlands of ships hang from the ceiling. Well, needless to say that we, amateurs panoramic views, we spent most of our time on the observation deck, where the views of Marseille, like a rich carpet, spread out before us. The city is located in tiers on the hills, with dense buildings, with traditional red-brown tiles on the roofs, with an ancient harbor - to be honest, I really liked it! But, the allotted time is up, and it’s time for us to run to the bus again to get acquainted with another attraction of Marseille.

In the meantime, we are driving along the city streets, looking at the rather ascetic architecture. Some you like more, some less, some surprise you, and there are places that you definitely want to take pictures of as a souvenir. Here in a small town square there is a real swap meet. Along the road there are tables with big amount porcelain and crystal - the dream of all Soviet women. But there are old books in ruins, and next to them are rows of all sorts of small things - boxes, jars, boxes, figurines. How much I would like to walk along these aisles, is it possible to leave there without buying something?

And here is our last excursion stop. We got off the bus and froze, such a beauty! In front of us is the monumental fountain of the Longchamp Water Palace (Palais Longchamp). Just a little history: for centuries, the inhabitants of Marseille suffered from a lack of clean water. In the first half of the 19th century, the city authorities decided to build a 53-kilometer Marseille canal from the Durance River. It was in honor of this event in 1839 that it was decided to erect a monumental fountain and the Longchamp Palace. True, more than 20 years passed before the project was completed.
The building is a palace and park complex with a luxurious façade. In the central part of the ensemble there is a triumphal arch and a 10-meter cascading fountain, which is among the top ten beautiful fountains peace. From triumphal arch The semicircular colonnades diverge like two wings. By the way, the building also serves technical purposes; a water tower is hidden behind the magnificent façade. A classic French park begins immediately behind the palace, but time did not allow us to take a walk through it. After taking dozens of pictures, we return to the bus.
Well, a little bit of tar. The park had the dirtiest toilet we visited during all our trips.

We return to the port along one of the main streets of the city, La Canabiere, which connects the center with the Old Port. The street is crowded, you can feel the life of the city. The GUIDE talks with inspiration and knowledge about the wines of Provence, after which you want to buy a lot of everything. At the entrance to the port we see the Galeries Lafayette shopping center and while our group is being taken to a small souvenir shop, my husband and I run to the side shopping center. Shopping, I tell you, is so-so. Either cheap chain stores or expensive brands, and prices for perfume are Moscow prices. But the wine department of the supermarket pleased me :) My eyes ran wide, the prices frightened me with their minimalism - from 1.5 to 10-12 €. We choose a 2013 rose wine in the mid-price range. Let me tell you, I haven’t drank such delicate wine for a long time! We are grabbing bottles as a gift for our son and for our honorary cruiser Irina, who preferred the sun and pool to her fifth visit to Marseille:)

We left the shopping center and couldn’t resist poking our nose into the nearby streets. Have we seen the frighteningly dirty Marseille, refuge and epicenter of emigrants? Of course, there are a lot of Arab shops and dubious personalities in the city, but we tried not to look into such backstreets. And we didn’t have time for that. We ran past small restaurants and bars with purely French interiors, from where we could smell fried fish and fresh bread, and we loved it all! And no matter how the guide said: “if you haven’t tasted the famous local fish soup bouillabaisse for 100 € a serving, then you haven’t been to Marseille,” we were never tempted by it :) But we still saw Marseille! And the city evoked mixed feelings in us: it is colorful, it is attractive, it is alive, it is thoroughly saturated with the smell of the sea. I think that first you need to accept the city, maybe even get used to it, and then you won’t even notice how you will fall in love with it.

And our summary regarding the excursion. It seems that our group did not stay anywhere for a long time; the entire excursion took place in the “rhythm of tango”. Just “walking, looking and breathing” didn’t work out for us. At the same time, having re-read the review of Marseille by Svet*lana (Rostov-on-Don), who also visited the city as part of a cruise, we were once again convinced that we could have seen much more on our own. In this connection, it is difficult for me to recommend or not recommend this organized excursion.

Ah, Marcel, it’s cool and worth a visit!

On the shores of the Gulf of Lyon in France there is an ancient a beautiful city- Marcel. This largest economic and Cultural Center is one of the largest ports in the country. Thousands of tourists come there every day to immerse themselves in the unique atmosphere of old Provence, explore the sights and relax on the Mediterranean coast.

If you come to the city for 1 day, you need to think in advance what to see in Marseille. Otherwise, you might miss something important.

Old Port

Arriving in the city, tourists first rush to the Old Port. It began to be built during antiquity, when the ancient Greeks explored these places. It was from here that the city gradually grew. In the 15th and 16th centuries the first piers for sailing ships and a fort to defend Marseilles. Over the centuries, the port became larger and more powerful. Lungs sailing ships replaced by heavy modern steamships. During World War II, most of the port buildings were destroyed. They were restored in 1948. In the ruins, workers discovered huge ceramic vases dating back to the Roman era. Unique finds can be viewed in the Museum of Roman Docks.

Nowadays, only excursion yachts and ships moor in the Old Port, vying with each other to offer tourists a variety of boat trips. It's interesting here at any time. The main attractions of Marseille are located near the harbor:

  • lighthouse of the Virgin Mary;
  • Museum of Roman Docks;
  • Abbey of Saint-Victor;
  • town hall

In the northern part of the port there is a new museum dedicated to the origins of European culture, which will be of interest to all history buffs.

In addition, tourists will find small cafes and many shops here where they can buy souvenirs to remember the trip. The Old Port is the heart of Marseille, so you should see it first.

Temples of the city

If you're in Marseille for one day, don't waste time. After a stroll through the Old Port, head to Notre-Dame de la Garde Cathedral. This unique Catholic church is built on a hill, so it can be seen from afar. The monastery, erected in the 18th century, is one of the most visited places in Marseille. The cathedral is very beautiful. At the top of its bell tower there is an 11-meter statue of the Virgin Mary, covered in gold.

Anyone can enter the cathedral and explore it. This can be easily done with the help of a guide or on your own, having previously left a request on the temple website and agreed on the time of the visit.

After the tour, you can relax a bit and have lunch at a restaurant located a stone's throw from the attraction. In this quiet cozy place delicious food and acceptable prices. Nearby there is a souvenir shop that sells rosaries, figurines and other paraphernalia that tourists are happy to buy as souvenirs.

When traveling around Marseille, don't forget to visit Cathedral. It amazes with its architecture. The architects used green and white marble for construction, so the walls received a striped finish. This huge building, decorated with towers with domes stretching 60 meters high, amazes the imagination with its grandeur. The interior of the cathedral is no less magnificent. Its walls are decorated with mosaics and unique bas-reliefs.

Ancient castles

After exploring the temples, return to the Old Port. There you can purchase tickets for an exciting excursion to the Château d'If, which is a famous landmark in Marseille. He was glorified in his work by the famous Alexandre Dumas. Ancient fortress built on a small island. Boats run there every 20 minutes, as there are a lot of people who want to visit this place.

This fortress was erected in the 16th century to protect the city from enemies from the sea, but soon it became gloomy prison. Strong walls and water around made it almost impossible for prisoners to escape, so criminals and political prisoners from all over the country were brought there. The cameras of the fortress have seen everyone during their existence. Over the years, leaders of the Paris Commune, Huguenots, and prominent political figures languished there. But it was not they who brought fame to the fortress, but fictional prisoners who never crossed the threshold of the gloomy building.

Tours are now offered at the Chateau d'If. Those interested can see the chamber of Edmond Dantes and the famous hole dug by Abbe Faria. On the second floor of the fortress there is another cell, where another prisoner described by the writer, the Iron Mask, languished.

On a small island there is Observation deck, where tourists can climb. From there you have a magnificent view of old City. After the walk, you can sit in a cozy cafe, drink a glass of juice and listen to the waves crashing against the rocky cliffs.

If it remains free time, don't lose it. You will find out the answer to the question of whether it is worth staying in Marseille and what else to see in this city, since there are incredibly many interesting places here.

All tourists should definitely see the Longchamp Palace. This architectural masterpiece was built in the 19th century. Now the palace complex houses:

  • natural history museum;
  • an observatory where you can see the equipment of ancient astronomers and admire the stars through modern powerful telescopes;
  • Museum of Fine Arts.

In the center of the complex there is a 10-meter multi-level fountain, decorated with a sculptural composition depicting three women in a chariot. Behind the fountain rises a white stone arch. Columns radiate from it in different directions, united by a horizontal ceiling.

This most beautiful place cannot leave anyone indifferent, therefore it is rightfully considered the pearl of Marseille and all of France.

Unique nature

If you come to the capital of Provence for the first time, try to find time to explore the beautiful natural attractions called the calanques.

A peculiar geological formation extends along the coast for 20 km. This real paradise for tourists. Here you can find secluded coves with clear water, hidden behind white limestone rocks, mysterious gorges and picturesque caves.

It is advisable to go to explore these places in the morning. Wear practical shoes and bring plenty of drinking water as you will be walking a lot. You can get there by car or by boat from the sea. The popularity of calanques is explained by the mesmerizing view of the sea surface and the untouched beauty of natural landscapes.

After enjoying the contemplation of turquoise water from the top of the mountain, you can go down, sunbathe and swim in the clear sea. Connoisseurs active rest delighted with the calanques. There are excellent conditions for diving and snorkeling. Many people enjoy exploring mountain ranges, explore gorges, go down into caves.

It is impossible to see all the sights of Marseille in 1 day. The city has many museums, ancient buildings, squares and parks. France respects traditions and history, which is why Marseille has preserved great amount ancient monuments. A trip around the city will remain in your memory for a long time, and you will definitely want to come back here.

It evokes mixed feelings: some fall in love with it at first sight, while others are scared off by the simplicity and straightforwardness of this charmingly artless port city. Only one thing is certain – bright, lively, filled with the mindless energy of the sea, Marseille leaves no one indifferent. A whole range of opportunities opens up for guests of the city to have an interesting time: historical museums, various museums, lively bars and, and most importantly, a unique atmosphere. Even if you come to Marseille for just one day, this is enough to get to know it better.

A great way to see the sights of Marseille quickly and conveniently is to buy a ticket for a hop-on tourist bus. You can freely get off from them, explore an interesting place, and then board the next one during the day. So you can cover large area, but at your own pace.

The best place to start exploring Marseille is from the Old Port (Vieux Port). Here you can board one of the tourist buses and go on a trip around the city to see its main attractions. All routes must include a visit to the pride of Marseille - the Notre-Dame de la Garde Cathedral, a magnificent architectural structure in neo-Byzantine style. From the roof of the cathedral there is a wonderful view of the city and the sea. If you are interested in art and architecture, be sure to visit the museum at the Cathedral, where you can learn a lot of interesting things about the history of its construction.

After exploring Notre-Dame de la Garde, we return to the Old Port to stroll along the docks, admire the ships and visit the fish market, in short, see everything that Marseille lives and breathes. In the northern part of the Old Port (7 Promenade Robert Laffont) is Marseille's newest museum - the Museum of Civilizations of Europe and the Mediterranean MUCEM with a stunning exhibition telling about the origins of European culture.

The first half of the day flew by so quickly, which means now is the time to have a snack! What to order for lunch in the port of Marseille? Well, of course, the signature dish local cuisine– the famous bouillabaisse fish soup of Marseille fishermen! You can order bouillabaisse at one of the many fish shops in the Old Port. Proven, although not the best cheap option, this restaurant is Le Miramar (12 Quai du Port), which serves excellent bouillabaisse, as well as many other fresh fish and seafood dishes.

After a good portion of bouillabaisse, we will continue our walk around the Old Port. Traveling north along the embankment, you will reach the Old Town of Le Panier - the center of cultural life Marcel. Wander the alleys of Le Panier to experience the artistic spirit of this area, also known as Marseille's Montmartre. In the center of the Old Town is the Old Almshouse La Vieille Charité (2 Rue de la Charité), a three-story building that now houses the scientific and cultural center of Marseille, including the Museum of Archeology and the Museum of African, Oceanic and Native American Arts.

After such a long walk, it would be nice to freshen up and drink a glass of pastis - aniseed vodka, which Provence is famous for. In the Old Town, you'll find bistros and bars at every turn where you can take a break, such as Le Charité Café (2 Rue de la Charité), a cozy self-service cafe where you can order drinks and light snacks throughout the day.

If you still have energy and time, then why not return to the Old Port and go on an excursion to the islands where the famous one is located? Frioul-If-Express boats to the islands depart from the Old Port pier throughout the day. Using Icard Maritime boats, which also depart from the Old Port, you can go on a two-hour excursion to the Calanques, amazing geological formations of rare beauty.

Returning to the Old Port after a short sea ​​travel, you can once again admire the picturesque seascape, but in the rays of the pre-sunset sun, remembering your one-day walk around.

TOURISTS' ANSWERS:

On sunny beach Marseille is located on the Gulf of Lyon - oldest city France. According to historians, the city on this wonderful place, founded by the ancient Greeks back in the 6th century BC. This Mediterranean resort is visited annually by millions of tourists eager not only to beach holiday, but also explore the local attractions, of which there are plenty.

Basilica Notre Dame de La Garde

On the highest point of Marseille, at the address: Marseille, Rue Fort du Sanctuaire, there is a pearl not only of the city, but of the whole country - the Church of Our Lady of the Guardian. This architectural miracle was built in the 19th century, on the site where previously stood old church. Visitors are allowed to climb the bell tower to admire the giant bell, which weighs more than 8 tons. Also, at the top, there is an observation deck from which beautiful and very picturesque views open up, like sea ​​bay, and to the city. It is impossible not to notice the huge statue of the Mother of God with a baby in her arms, located on top of the bell tower. This 11-meter masterpiece, shining brightly with gold, illuminated at night by powerful lanterns, shows not only sailors, but also all the lost - the path to God!

There is also something to see inside the basilica. Particularly impressive are the mosaics on the vaults and walls of the temple and the main altar of the temple, made by local sculptor Chanuel. Entrance is free for everyone without exception.

Chateau d'If / Chateau d'If

There are probably very few people who at one time did not read The Count of Monte Cristo or, at least, did not watch feature films based on the novel of the same name. The vast majority of people, including myself, thought that this was just the fiction of Dumas (father). To be convinced of the opposite, it is worth paying 5 euros per adult to visit the real Château d'If, which was once a prison, and before that an ordinary fortification. The castle is located on a small island near Marseille. You can get to it by pleasure boat, paying 10 euros. There is another option to get to the island - a ferry from the old port.

Cathedral de la Nouvelle Major / La Cathedrale de la Nouvelle Major

The address where you can find this grandiose and very majestic temple: Marseille, Avenue Robert Schuman, 1. This cathedral deservedly considered the largest religious building Western Europe, built in the 19th century. The temple is not only a place of worship for Christian pilgrims from all over the planet, hundreds of thousands of tourists also flock here to admire the interior of the cathedral, which looks very rich, thanks to precious stones and very rare types of decorative marble, which were used everywhere in the design of interior decorations temple. This building was born thanks to the order of Napoleon III, who allocated 14 million francs. By the way, at that time - a crazy amount!

Church of Saint Vincent de Paul / Eglise Saint-Vincent-de-Paul de Marseille

The age of this temple, compared to others, is quite young. It was erected in 1886. The address where it can be found: Marseille, Cours Franklin Roosevelt, 4. The two towers, in the form of arrows, are very impressive, the height of which is about 70 meters. From the interior decoration, it is worth highlighting the colored turns. Entrance, as with most religious buildings in Marseille, is free. The only restriction is on Sundays, when services are held.

Old almshouse / Vieille Charite

Marseille, Rue de la Charite, 2. Center de la Vieille Charite, le Panier - at this address there is a building built in 1622, especially for disadvantaged and very poor people. When money from the city budget ran out, funds began to flow not only from wealthy patrons of the arts, but also from ordinary people. In the end, a whole complex of buildings was built here, which provided not only accommodation, but also work for the poor. In the 20th century, the almshouse was recognized historical monument, where the city museum of archeology eventually moved.

Museum of Mediterranean Archeology / Museum of Mediterranean Archeology

2 Rue de la Charite, Marseille - at this address you can find the location of the city's most exciting museum. The 17th-century building itself is a work of architectural art, not to mention the unique exhibits telling about the life of the Celtic tribes who lived in prehistoric times.

It is also worth taking a closer look at the rich collection of rare exhibits representing the civilization of Ancient Egypt.

Longchamp Palace

On the territory of this pompous and majestic palace complex, with the obligatory accessories in the form of: arches, colonnades, fountains and other delights that emphasize the wealth of the owners, there are two museums. There is a museum in the right wing fine arts, in which connoisseurs of beauty can admire the paintings of not only French, but also Flemish painters, from the Renaissance to XIX century. You can also enjoy works by famous artists: Perugino, Carracci, Hubert Robert, Rubens and Snyders. The halls of the museum display masterpiece statues by the sculptor Rodin. You can find this museum at: 21 Boulevard Claude Charles Guillaume Philippon.

In addition to the main attractions of the city listed above, it is advisable to take a walk in Borely Park (completely free), where you can rest and relax near the lake, on the shore of which luxurious Mediterranean palm trees grow (park address: 18 Avenue du Parc Borely 13008 Marseille), it would be nice to go to the city Botanical Garden, located in the Pierre Pouget park, in the Chanot park, where the exhibition center is located, look at the Great Mosque of Marseille, go to any local performance opera house or to a show National Ballet cities. Almost in the center of Marseille (near the port) there is a pretty good city free beach with a well-developed tourism infrastructure, including even water rescue service.

Is the answer helpful?

Marseille is not easy resort town in the south of France it is largest port on the entire Mediterranean coast of the country, a city with a rich past and exciting present. Naturally, there is something to see and where to go.

Firstly, the unusual appearance of the city immediately catches your eye - it is nestled in tiers on the hills bordering the coast, as if adapting to the surrounding world. The coastline is covered with small rocky bays, adding picturesqueness to the area and attracting lovers aquatic species sports

Considering the fact that the city was founded back in 600 BC, there are many memories of the past left on its land, many of which are simply amazing in their grandeur and uniqueness.

Every year thousands of tourists come to Marseille to take a look at it Old Port(Vieux-Port), guarded by two powerful forts. Here, like nowhere else, you can sit pleasantly in one of the many cozy restaurants and admire the view of the embankment and taste local delicacies.

To the south of the port there is a well-known Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde, built in the 19th century by the great Esperando in the Roman-Byzantine style and offering a unique view of the city from its terrace.

Lovers of antiquities will undoubtedly be attracted historical museth Marseille, located right in the city center. Here you can get acquainted with rare exhibits from the Greek and Roman periods of life of the maritime center, and in the archaeological gardens near the museum you can even see the ancient ruins of the Greek port.

In Marseille you can visit not only this museum, but also the Museum of Contemporary Fashion, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Museum of Ceramics, the Museum of Natural History and others.

It's usually crowded Abbey of Saint-Victor, ancient place Christian worship in Europe, founded in the 5th century. Since ancient times, first Greeks and then Christian martyrs were buried in its crypt and numerous catacombs, so it is not surprising that religious processions are organized from this place every year on Candlemas.

The outstanding landmark of Marseille is Cathedral of Sainte-Marie Maggiore(or La Maggiore), which was founded in the 4th century and rebuilt between the 11th and 19th centuries. Approaching it, you will see a grandiose structure built in the Roman-Byzantine style. Inside, you can admire the miraculously preserved Romanesque transept, choir and altar from ancient times.

Nestled and sung by A. Dumoy on a small island Chateau d'If(Château d'If). This is indeed a former prison, although now you won’t see anything in it except thick walls and bars on the windows. Although lovers of spectacular shots will certainly be attracted Free access(price entrance ticket- 4 euros + boat ride) to this very picturesque place.

When in Marseille, you should definitely visit Le Panier(Le Panier). What was there in this place: an ancient Corsican quarter and an almshouse. Now it houses the famous concert venue La Vieille Charite, which is really worth seeing during one of the performances.

If possible, you can also look at Shining City(La cite radieuse) is a unique seventeen-story building, which, in addition to residential premises, houses a school, a church and even shopping arcades - everything that is needed for an autonomous existence.

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Sights of Marseille - what to visit in 1 day.

Marseille - Mediterranean port of France

If you're traveling through France or the Provence region, try to stop in Marseille for a day. Obviously, one day is not enough to experience the beauty of the city as a whole, but here is a list of some attractions in Marseille that guarantee a full day of enjoyment.

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Information about Marseille

Map of Marseille attractions

This city is located southeast of the French coast. Marseille is the administrative center of the department of Bouches-du-Rhône, district of Marseille. Located on the shores of the Gulf of Lyon, near the mouth of the Rhone River, with which the city is connected by a canal. In 2013 - cultural capital Europe.

The area of ​​the commune is 240.62 km², the population is 852,516 people (2012), the population density is 3543.0 people/km².

It still has the largest commercial port in the country. Although Marseille is vibrantly cosmopolitan, it also bears traces of its 2,500-year history dating back to the time of the Phoenicians.

Marseille offers you excellent nightclubs, restaurants, cafes, museums and theaters.

Notre-Dame de la Garde is a cathedral built in 1853-1864, located in the very high point cities. Even though it is located at a height, the building itself is 500 feet tall! So essentially, you don't have to physically see the cathedral. At the top you will find an elaborate statue of Mary and Jesus.

The Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde is the most visited place by tourists in Marseille.

Vieux Port

Vieux Port in Marseille

This is the main stop on your trip to Marseille. Port Vieux is also called the old port, which contains many tourist attractions. Examples include La Canebiere and Le Panier streets, where you will find traditional street shops.

Le Corbusier's secluded home (Cite Radieuse)

This “garden city” was designed and built by the extraordinary architect Le Corbusier in 1952. It is also known as the "Shining City" or Cite Radieuse on French. You'll find shady hallways and light fixtures with simple colors.

These features result in the creation of unusual tunnels that lead to a supermarket, a bookstore with books on architecture, and even an indoor desert garden. Of course, this is a modern building, and you may not like it if you are interested in architecture.

Chateau d'lf

Remember “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas? This is the same island of If and on it is located the fortress prison of the same name, in which the count was imprisoned.

You can reach the castle from the port of Vieux by sailing boat. This should be on your priority list for a day trip.

L'Escale Borely area

L'Escale Borely area

L'Escale Borely - another one mandatory place on your trip to Marseille. Here you will find many restaurants and cafes that overlook the promenade, providing beautiful view during the day.

Perfect place rest at the end of a walking day. The view of the sea and sunset will be remembered for a long time. You can ride the Ferris wheel or lie on the beach.

Frioul Islands (IIes du Frioul)

The islands of the archipelago are located 4 km from the center of Marseille, west of the Château d'If, and consist of small islets that were connected by a dam in the early 19th century.

These islands were previously used to quarantine people suffering from plague and cholera, and during World War II, Wehrmacht troops were stationed here. Here you can see seabirds and rare flowers growing on the islands.

As you can see, traveling around the South of France there is a lot to see. The most interesting places You can visit Marseille in one day and continue your trip the next day with an overnight stay at a hotel.

 

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