Sightseeing OverviewMarseille’s history has always been closely linked to the sea, and likewise many of its sights, from the obvious starting point of the
Vieux Port, Marseille’s old port, to
Notre Dame de la Garde (the basilica offering protection to sailors and fishermen) high on the hill overlooking the city, have some kind of connection to it.
La Corniche and
Les Plages (the beaches) near the Prado are popular, and for a bit of history and culture a walk through le
Panier area (the oldest part of town) and a visit to the
Vieille Charité are a must.
If the sun gets
too much, there are
several museums worth checking out, and the beautiful
Abbaye St Victor too.
Tourist InformationOffice du Tourisme 4 La Canebière, 1e
Tel: (04) 9113 8900.
Website:
www.marseille-tourisme.com Opening times: Mon-Sat 0900-1900, Sun and bank holidays 1000-1700.
The tourist office has a good selection of leaflets in English covering the major places of interest in Marseille and the surrounding areas, as well as maps. There is another, smaller office at the train station (tel: (04) 9150 5918).
Comité Départemental du Tourisme Le Montesquieu, 13 rue Roux de Brignoles, 6e
Tel: (04) 9113 8413.
Website:
www.visitprovence.com For information on Marseille and Provence.
PassesThe
Marseille City Pass (tel: (04) 9113 8900/17; website:
www.marseille-tourisme.com/static/gb/ala_city.htm) includes free transportation (including a tiny sightseeing train and boat trip to the Chateau d’If), free entry to 14 museums and free guided tours. It is available for one or two days. Passes can be purchased from the tourist office or participating outlets.
Key Attractions:Vieux Port (Old Port) The
Vieux Port, whose entrance is guarded by Fort St Nicholas and Fort St Jean, is home to 3,000 boats, and is the heart of Marseille. On the quai de Rive Neuve, check out
La Criée (Marseille’s most famous theater, built in 1909 on the site of the old fish auction rooms, hence its name) and the
Place Thiars, a lively square dotted with dozens of restaurants and bars, the ideal place to meet up for an al fresco evening during the balmy summer months. Then cross the harbor on an old wooden ferry, the oldest of its kind in France (the trip takes just over a couple of minutes) to the other side, quai du Port, to take a peek at the impressive 17th century
Hotel de Ville (town hall). Walk back up towards the quai des Belges (this is where the famous fish market takes place in the morning) from where you will have the best view of the
Canebière, the most famous street in the city, and the subject of a popular song.
Notre Dame de la Garde The landmark Romanesque-Byzantine basilica, towering on the highest point of the city (147m, or 482ft, above sea level), was built in the 19th century. Affectionately called the
Bonne Mère (good mother), it is topped by a 9.72m (32ft) gilded statue of the Virgin, who is said to bestow protection on fishermen out at sea. The mosaics are particularly beautiful, and the numerous ex-votos hanging in the nave bear witness to the pilgrims’ faith and thanksgiving. The site also affords magnificent views of the city spread out at its feet, and of the bay, with the Frioul archipelago in the distance.
Rue Fort du Sanctuaire
Tel: (04) 9113 4080.
Free admission.
Le Panier and the Vieille Charité The maze of narrow streets found in the
Quartier du Panier, the oldest part of the city, lead to the Vieille Charité, a pretty set of buildings dating back to the 17th century, originally designed to take in vagrants and orphans (hence the name). Today the complex is an art center, with two museums (the
Mediterranean Archaeology Museum and the
Museum of African,
Oceanian and Amerindian Art), several art galleries, a café, a restaurant, and a bookshop. There is also an arthouse cinema,
Le Mirroir, showing productions not on show anywhere else in town. The chapel, built by Pierre Puget, is in the French Baroque style.
2 rue de la Charité, 2e
Mediterranean Archaeology Museum Tel: (04) 9114 5859.
Admission charge.
Museum of African,
Oceanian and Amerindian Art Tel: (04) 9114 5838.
Admission charge.
Abbaye de Saint Victor (Saint Victor Abbey)This beautiful abbey was built in the 5th century on the burial place of Saint Victor, a Roman martyr who had died two centuries previously. The abbey was destroyed several times over the years, until it was fortified by Pope Urban V in the 14th century. Make sure you pay a visit to the beautiful crypt, where every year the faithful gather for Candlemas. The abbey regularly houses concerts of religious music.
Rue de l’Abbaye, 7e
Tel: (04) 9611 2260.
Website:
www.saintvictor.net (French only)
Free admission.
Musées (Museums) There are several museums worth visiting in Marseille. The
Musée de la Mode (Fashion Museum), which has an interesting collection of over 6,000 costumes and accessories; the
Musée Cantini, which boasts one of the richest French public collections devoted to 20th century art, including works by Matisse, Miro, Ernst, Bacon, Picasso, Derain and Bathus among many others; the
Musée d’Histoire Naturelle (Natural History Museum) and the
Musée des Beaux Arts (Fine Arts Museum), both housed in the impressive Palais Longchamp; and the nearby
Musée Grobet-
Labadie, which includes exquisite Louis XV and Louis XVI furniture, as well as an outstanding collection of medieval Burgundian and Provençal sculpture; Gobelin tapestries; paintings; and faience.
Musée de la Mode (
Fashion Museum)
11 La Canebière , 1e
Tél: (04) 9156 5957.
Website:
www.mairie-marseille.fr/vivre/culture/musees/mode.htm Admission charge.
Musée Cantini (
Cantini Museum)
19, rue Grignan, 7e
Tel: (04) 9154 7775.
Admission charge.
Musée d’Histoire Naturelle (
National History Museum)
Palais Longchamp, 4e
Tel: (04) 9114 5950.
Admission charge.
Musée des Beaux Arts (
Fine Arts Museum)
Palais Longchamp, 4e
Tel: (04) 9114 5930.
Admission charge.
Musée Grobet-
Labadie (
Grobet-
Labadie Museum)
140 boulevard Longchamp, 1e
Tel: (04) 9162 2182.
Admission charge.
La Corniche J F Kennedy et les Plages (The Corniche and the Beaches)La Corniche is the road that follows the sea, from the Catalans (just behind the Pharo at the entrance to the Vieux Port) to the enormous marble statue of David (a copy of the famous statue by Michelangelo) some 3.5km (2 miles) further east. Keep an eye out for the
Vallon des Auffes, a picturesque fishermen’s village nestled in a little creek, before reaching the Prado beaches, the locals’ meeting point for sunbathing and swimming in summer, and walking, jogging and kite-flying in winter. The road continues all the way to
La Pointe Rouge, where you will find yet more beaches, a little harbor and plenty of surf shops (the area is popular for all kinds of watersports).
Further Distractions:Parc Borély Half way between Le Prado and the Corniche is the
Parc Borély. The park is a tranquil expanse of greenery complete with a lake with ducks and rowing boats for hire, a botanical garden, a rose garden and even a
chateau. Cycling is allowed in the park, and you can hire bicycles at the entrance gate. Next door is the Hippodrome for horse racing and a new golf course (the only one in the city proper).
Avenue Borély, 8e
Les Goudes La Madrague, la Baie des Singes, les Goudes, Callelongue: check out these little fishermen’s villages on the outskirts of Marseille, and their picturesque homes (the famous
cabanons of yore), which haven’t changed in decades.
Stade Vélodrome et le Musée de l’OM (Velodrome Stadium and OM Museum)The
Stade Vélodrome, Marseille’s temple to the beautiful game, was one of the official venues for the 1998 World Cup. Drogba used to play for the local team before his move to Chelsea. Zidane and Barthes also kick started their international careers there. Next door is a museum for footie fans, with plenty of information on the local team, l’OM (Olympique Marseillaise).
3 boulevard Michelet, 8e
Tel: (04) 9171 4700.
Le Musée du Vieux Marseille (Museum of Old Marseille)Not far from the town hall, and housed in unique building dating back to the 16th century, this museum boasts an interesting collection of furniture, playing cards, cribs and
santons (small clay figurines), showcasing Marseille life from the 17th to the 19th century.
Maison Diamantée
2 rue de la Prison, 2e
Tel: (04) 9155 1019/2868.
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