Where to go from Marseille for 1 day. Where to go from Marseille for the day – ideas for a short trip. We go to Notre-Dame de la Garde

If you have never been to Marseille, and your impression of this city was formed by the films “Taxi” and “22 Bullets”, then finally finding yourself in southern capital France, you risk being very surprised. At first glance, there are no reckless taxi drivers or Provençal mafiosi, and the city itself is not much different from other cities on the Riviera. Here, look at the photo: the masts of the yachts, the outlines of Notre-Dame de la Garde, the typical southern color scheme, where the blue of the sky and sea predominate, the green of the trees and the yellow of the walls - that’s what Marseille is.

On the other hand, one cannot help but admit that Marcel fully corresponds to the stereotypes.

Yes, they make soap here.

Yes, houses in Marseille look exactly as you'd expect - sand-colored walls, tall windows, French balconies and shutters to block out the hot Mediterranean sun.

Yes, in the mornings in the Old Port area, noisy fishermen sell small fish for the famous fisherman's bouillabaisse, which has made Marseille famous throughout the world.

What to do if you have little time, if you are in Marseille literally for one day? I recommend starting from the Old Port - this is one of the main places in the center of Marseille, from where streets and avenues diverge in all directions. As you head deeper into the city, you'll see some pretty and distinctive houses and neighborhoods - but before you do, don't forget to admire the yachts at the local marina and take a ride on the Ferris wheel to spot all the landmarks.

Be sure to check out the forts of Marseille: from here you can see beautiful view to the city.

There are several forts and castles in Marseille, so there is plenty to choose from.

Some are marked by fame. It seems that our liberals have not yet reached France to explain to them that the word “patriotism”, in accordance with the requirements of new times, should be considered abusive.

Some, frankly speaking, look completely un-French. As for me, such a fortress would look much more appropriate on the opposite shore of the Mediterranean Sea.

And everyone knows some. Meet the Chateau d'If. Built in the Friulian Islands, a mile from Marseille, it became the imprisonment site of the Iron Mask (who was never actually there) and Edmond Dantes (who never actually existed) - and the fame of these prisoners still attracts crowds to Château d'If tourists.

However, it is not necessary to go to the castle itself if you have little time. You can admire it from the shore, since the castle is clearly visible from here, and you’ll also have time to capture other attractions.

For example, the same Notre-Dame de la Garde Cathedral. It is built on a high hill, it will be difficult to get to it on foot, but, after all, there is public transport, tourist buses and the famous Marseille taxi. The ticket for these tourist buses, as expected, is valid all day, and you can get off and on as often as you like, so this is one of the most convenient and versatile ways to explore Marseille in one day.

For me, however, the main attraction of Marseille is the city itself. Tired of the piles of thousands of anthills, the eye rests, looking at small houses crowded together, and the sea, which is visible from almost anywhere, inspires calm and tranquility.

So go to Marseille and don't be afraid of anything. Of course, it can be unsafe on the outskirts, but this can be said about any city in the world - but Old Marseille definitely deserves attention.

Marseille provides its guests with ample opportunities not only to get to know the city itself, but also the region as a whole. Numerous travel agencies and private guides offer a wide variety of excursions - from general sightseeing to thematic and non-standard ones. But first things first.

Range city sightseeing tours very big. And you can find something that suits you. So, you can take part in an organized bus and walking tour conducted by one of the city’s travel agencies (though it will be conducted in French or English, but it costs about 20 - 25 euros per person) or order sightseeing tour immediately in Russian from a private guide (however, the price will be much higher - from 50 to 250 euros for a group of up to 4 people). You should immediately take into account that such an excursion is usually designed for 2 - 3 hours, and you can save money by going on tourist bus and armed with a guidebook. In this case, it turns out that you see all the main attractions, but it is not the guide that tells you about them, but the book. The ideal option in this case is knowledge of English or French. In this case, there will be no problems at all with understanding and choosing an excursion.

One of the most popular excursions regarding the sights of Marseille is a trip to the mysterious Chateau d'If, glorified in the novel “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas. Nestled on a small island in the middle of the sea, the castle (and also a former prison) still attracts an impressive number of tourists. The cost of such a tour, designed for 2.5 - 3 hours, with a private guide is around 120 - 150 euros, as part of an organized group you need to check.

If we talk about where you can go from Marseille, then this is, first of all, a charming town Aix-en-Provence, which is essentially real cultural center Provence, which has absorbed its most characteristic original features. Real pride local residents are monuments of medieval architecture, as well as very beautiful fountains, of which there are several hundred in the city. It’s not far to go there – about 30 kilometers, and a trip with an organized group costs from 30 euros (of course, private guides are more expensive), so don’t be surprised, this excursion is very popular among tourists.

If you don’t want to limit yourself to the Provençal spirit of Aix-en-Provence, you can go on a tour "Traditional villages of Provence", able to introduce curious travelers to all the charm and cute charm southern France. And I’ll say right away - having visited a couple of quiet and cozy villages built up old mansions, filled with the aromas of fresh baked goods wafting from the family bakery, looking at the vineyards, you will completely fall in love with this amazing region, filled with the friendliness of the locals and the warmth of the climate. Of course, you can book such an excursion from a private guide and go with him to conquer the surrounding villages by car (a day of such pleasure will cost around 300 euros). But I would advise especially inquisitive and active tourists to choose a place they like on the map and rush there on their own by train or bus, wander through the quiet streets, plunge into this amazing atmosphere and return to the fan (although you can even rent a house or room and stay in such a village for a couple of days - this is for those who value peace and harmony on vacation).

Most people associate Provence, of course, with endless lavender fields. Everywhere in the markets you can buy pillows with dried lavender flowers, soap with lavender oil and much, much more. Therefore, it is not surprising that one of the excursions that you may stumble upon in the list of proposed destinations is dedicated to this particular symbol of the region. Typically, during such an excursion, which is usually called « Lavender fields» or "Blooming Provence" You will be able to see real blooming lavender fields that resemble a lilac canvas, enjoy their incredible aroma, get acquainted with the technology of preparing certain products with lavender and buy something for yourself as a souvenir. This route is designed, of course, not for 2-3 hours, but for at least 6 – 8, and will cost a private guide 300 – 400 euros per mini-group. About the excursion

In addition, you can visit one of the famous and ancient French cities located near Marseille. This could be the legendary Avignon, the place of the medieval “captivity of the popes” (6 aces, from 200 euros with a private guide), or fashionable Cannes or Nice - pearls Cote d'Azur(400 – 800 euros for a private guide).

An excellent option could be independent travel on a pleasure boat Calanques. These are small bays located near Marseille, with headlands and cliffs jutting out into the sea, often called “French fjords”.
You can easily lose time while admiring them, and the photographs taken against their background are truly impressive. By the way, an excellent alternative to this trip can be getting to know the Calanques from the air - very often you can find offers to fly over these places by helicopter (from 300 euros per person). Well, lovers of romance can even take a closer look at the idea of looking at Provence from a bird’s eye view, or from a basket hot air balloon . In this case, you will be able to see not only Marseille itself, but also such amazing cities like Nîmes or Avignon. This is calculated air travel for 4 - 5 aces, and will cost about 500 euros per group (3 - 4 people).

And finally, I can’t help but note thematic excursions , focused on certain aspects of life in Marseille and the region as a whole. These are, first of all, gastronomic trips that introduce their travelers to the best dishes of local cuisine, traditional recipes and the most interesting restaurants or farms. The cost of such a route can vary greatly, since the price is strongly influenced by the duration of the excursion (it can be from 3 days to several days if it includes visits to several cities or towns), as well as the scale of tastings and the geography of the route itself. But in general, you can focus on an amount from a modest 150 (Marseille cuisine, designed for a couple of aces) to an impressive week-long acquaintance with the culinary traditions of the region for 5,000 euros.

And finally, let me remind you that the south of France is also one of the most popular winemaking regions. So if all of the above routes do not impress you or you just want to relax, go to conquer the wineries of Provence, during which you will not only learn about the process of harvesting grapes and making wine, but will also be able to taste local products.

Happy travels!

Overall about the trip. For a long, long time I dreamed of going to France, where I once studied, with my husband... And now the dream has come true. Moreover, not only my husband, but also my son saw Douce France (tender France, in the words of the famous song), when he was less than three years old.

The travel plans somehow came together on their own. First, on a tip from friends, we bought Airfrance Moscow-Marseille tickets for mid-March (profitable - less than 8 thousand per person round trip, now these prices are no longer available). It was intended romantic trip together: a day in Marseille, then three days in Nice, where my very good friend lives with her husband and son, restaurants, walks... However, then it was decided to take our son on the trip, for whom an additional ticket was urgently purchased. This changed the concept of the trip somewhat. And yet, everything went great, even taking into account the numerous trips and sometimes not very good - if not bad - weather.

Of course, knowledge of the language and French life in general was not superfluous - even on the Cote d'Azur, English is not spoken at every step, and everyday problems are solved faster in French. In Nice, in general, we had not life, but Maslenitsa: we spent all three days there with a friend and her family, which helped us discover corners of the Cote d'Azur that we ourselves would hardly have visited. However, it turned out that many things have now become easier for English-speaking tourists in France. For example, order Railway tickets possible through English-language sites, including www.tgv-europe.com and others. We used this site to buy tickets from Marseille to Nice and back (100 euros for three people for everything, child free).

Marseille: port city, cultural capital and haven for Mediterranean visitors. To begin with, I would like to talk about my impressions of Marseille, where we were just one day. Marseille is the second largest city in France and the largest Mediterranean port. In addition, it is also considered the most ancient city in the country: its foundation date is 600 BC. e. In 2013, Marseille was declared cultural capital Europe - which gives a trip there a special meaning.

However, we were in vain hoping that by 2013 the main projects within the framework of the “year of culture” would be completed and we would enjoy the improved infrastructure and new museums. Construction in Marseille is still in full swing: even the fastest sea ferry in the world, going from one part of the port in Marseille to another in 4 minutes, is still under repair!

It would be useful to know that in France Marseille is associated not only with cultural heritage, but also high level crime and a very large non-indigenous (mostly Arab) population concentrated in the northern quarters. However, after several years spent in Paris, Marseille does not seem such an intimidating “city of immigrants”. IN central regions Where we were, the atmosphere was quite pleasant. “Indigenous” locals, that is, the French actually are not in the first generation, by the way, produced good impression: polite, fresh and tanned faces, dressed more brightly than in Paris: the southern flavor is felt.

And thanks to immigrants, Marseille is also famous for its colorful restaurants, where you can try delicious couscous, as well as its luxurious bazaars. We tried couscous at the L’Eau Vive restaurant (see below). And we came across the Arab bazaar on the way to the station - there was so much stuff there: fresh fruits, vegetables, fish! And by French standards the prices are very reasonable. It’s a pity I didn’t have time to buy and cook anything.

However, inconvenience for guests of Marseille sometimes arises due to the crime situation. So, the day before our arrival, all the city’s transport workers went on strike in protest against the fact that the bus driver was attacked by a juvenile criminal with a knife.

Transport . Public transport We really enjoyed our stay in Marseille. There is a developed tram network, the trains are very convenient and run every few minutes. We rode both on the subway and on the bus: it was also quite bearable. You can buy tickets for 1 day for all types of transport: 5 euros per person, children - free. My son especially enjoyed driving around Marseille: so many trips in one day!

It was no coincidence that we traveled a lot - the mistral was raging outside. As soon as we left the Newhotel Vieuxport in the morning, which, by the way, we really liked (see photo below), we realized that we wouldn’t be able to walk for fun. From the window it seems that the weather is beautiful: sunshine, blue sky. And there’s a hurricane outside! The wind carries dust, newspapers and other debris along the ground, passers-by wrap themselves in scarves, hurrying to take shelter somewhere... Therefore, dress warmly (scarves, hats, gloves - almost like in Moscow, where they left in the cold). Glancing out of the corner of our eye at the port, which was a stone's throw away, we hurriedly headed to the tram stop.

Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde . The main achievement of the day was the arrival by transfer (tram - metro Estrangini Préfecture - bus 60) to Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde (Basilica of Our Lady of the Guardian). By the way, walking there even in good weather You won’t be able to climb very well: the bus was traveling along very steep slopes. However, you can also get to Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde on a tourist mini-train coming from the Old Port. The area around the basilica is considered one of the most prestigious in Marseille; it somehow reminded me of the Haussmannian architecture of Paris.

The basilica, the first building of which was built in 1214 on the La Garde hill and then replaced by a much more monumental one, is rightfully considered the symbol of Marseille. This majestic temple, welcoming arriving ships from the height of its hill, is dedicated to sailors and fishermen.

The uniqueness of Notre-Dame de la Garde is primarily in its unusual style, which it calls “Romanesque-Byzantine”: both the exterior and interior decoration combines elements of Romanesque and Byzantine architecture. In 1871, a monumental gilded statue of the Virgin Mary, more than 11 meters high, was installed on the bell tower of the cathedral. The bell tower itself is more than 40 meters in height.

Because of the mistral, we were unable to enter the cathedral through the main entrance (that is, along the stairs and then along the drawbridge). Having taken a photo of the stunning panorama of the city and barely able to stay on our feet from the wind, we walked to the basilica through the lower church (Crypte). The Byzantine mosaic inside is amazing! The ship models also look impressive, reminiscent of the symbolic meaning of this majestic structure.

Restaurant V Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde . The lower church, equipped in the most modern way, is also the “administrative” part of the basilica. There is an information point, a souvenir shop, and the L’Eau Vive restaurant. The latter is a real find, which is mentioned only by the most advanced guidebooks. In addition to an excellent menu and quite reasonable prices (there is even a set lunch for 12 euros), the restaurant also boasts a picturesque view of the city. The waitresses in the restaurant are missionary nuns of the Travailleuses Missionnaires de l’Immaculée order, which gives this establishment a special charm. In general, we confidently recommend to all lovers of food with “taste, sense, and arrangement.”

Around la Major . We also managed to see the second largest cathedral of Marseille, Notre Dame de la Major. The ancient quarter of Le Panier, located somewhat away from la Major, is also of interest. It was in this place that the Greeks once founded the settlement of Massalia, which gave the city its name. This area was once considered “poor” and was inhabited primarily by immigrants. Now this place is chosen by galleries and all sorts of shops and it is deservedly popular among tourists: the narrow streets of warm Mediterranean flowers are very beautiful.

Old Port .

As friends told me, a couple of years ago the Old Port was in a very neglected state and was not very convenient for tourists. However, it was decided to completely rebuild the port itself and the surrounding streets in order to make it the largest square in Marseille, a kind of “agora”. The work is partially ongoing, but now it is a really huge, well-equipped area where you can just walk, admire the yachts, look at the famous fish market, and sit in a cafe. And many museums (Museum of the Ancient Shipyard, Museum of Old Marseille, Cantini Museum, etc.) are not far from the port. Ferries depart from there to the Frioul Islands, including famous island If - we really wanted to go there to look at the city from the sea, but alas, the wind did not allow our plans to come true (below is a photo of the island of If from the observation deck at Notre-Dame de la Garde).

At the mention of Provence, the imagination draws pictures of serene rural areas, images of Mediterranean landscapes and secluded azure bays. And also picturesque cities, among which Marseille occupies a special place. It is one of the oldest cities in France and major port, where there is something to see and do. And even if all the sights have been explored, if you have plenty of time, Marseille will not disappoint. It is convenient to make day trips from the city to explore the south of France in detail. Where to go and what to see near Marseille?

What to see in the vicinity of Marseille

Avignon

103 km separate Marseille from Avignon - the treasure of Provence, which will surprise you with an abundance of attractions. For centuries it was considered the center of French Catholicism and art. You should not miss the opportunity to visit the Papal Palace - an example of medieval Gothic architecture that served as the residence of the Pope.

It took centuries to build, so inside you can admire the decoration of different styles. IN Papal Palace Ancient paintings have survived, and exhibitions are held regularly. Another striking architectural monument is St. Peter's Basilica. Luxurious carved doors deserve attention here. Museum lovers in Avignon can visit the Calvet Foundation, which stores medieval antiquities, masterpieces of painting and a collection of coins.

After sightseeing, you should go shopping: buy famous Provençal pottery, delicious lavender souvenirs or bright, high-quality fabrics. Avignon will also give you many gastronomic experiences. In this city, they created the dessert papalin, made from chocolate and liqueur made from honey and oregano. You can enjoy local nougat or caramelized fruits.

Carpantra

112 km from Marseille is Carpentras, which many tourists know nothing about. But in the past the city was famous as a center of trade and had an impressive history. Carpentras offers a look at monuments from different eras. You can start with the Roman arch, decorated with sculptures, and then go to the Church of St. Siffredios. It began to be built in the 15th century, and was completed only 200 years later. And the tower was only built in the 20th century. The result is bizarre combinations in architecture and the interweaving of ancient elements with modern details. Carpentras also became famous for its synagogue, recognized as the oldest in France. If you manage to be in the city between November and mid-March, you can go to the truffle market. This is another feature of Carpantra, attracting here not only connoisseurs of this valuable delicacy, but also the curious.

Arles

90 km from Marseille, Arles is a charming town with Roman heritage, narrow streets and ancient houses. Since ancient times, he has inspired great masters, including Van Gogh. There are so many attractions in Arles that you need to set aside at least a week to get to know them. But even in one day you can get an impression of the city. One of the most spectacular places to visit is the Roman Amphitheater, built in classical traditions. Even today it serves as a venue for operas and plays, and the amphitheater tower offers panoramic views of Arles.

The bridge depicted by Van Gogh in the painting “Langlois Bridge in Arles and Women Washing” 1888

Tourists visit with interest the Roman necropolis, where saints and noble citizens are buried. Roman sarcophagi with decoration have been lost, but the place still attracts tourists with its mysterious atmosphere, monuments and the remains of numerous chapels. In Arles you can't miss the Arlaten Museum. This is a unique ethnographic exhibition telling about the identity of Provence, its culture and characteristics. The museum contains samples of local flora, a collection of minerals and archaeological finds, traditional costumes, crafts and authentic household items.

Nim

If you get to Arles from Marseille and then drive another 20 km, you can get to Nîmes, a city with a record number of surviving Roman monuments. You need to have time to explore at least some of them in a day. However, it’s not even a matter of quantity, but of their condition.

It's worth starting with the amphitheater - an impressive arena where concerts of world stars are held today. Maison Carré is no less unique - snow-white ancient temple, later converted into a church. In the historical center is the Fountain Garden, built around an ancient pond. It is famous for dozens of picturesque sculptures, fountains and, of course, Roman buildings. On its territory you can see fragments of the Temple of Diana, an aqueduct and a bath.

For tourists, Nîmes is somewhat reminiscent of Paris - no less beautiful, but not as popular and noisy. It's a pleasure to use it hiking and stop at cozy restaurants. By the way, local kitchen is famous for several dishes that will delight any gourmet. It is worth trying the cod casserole brandade, vegetable stew with the addition of bovine meat and honey-lemon cookies.

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