Marseille – the second largest city in France

Marseille is the second largest city in France, and the capital of Provence. It has a unique Mediterranean character and is probably the most multicultural city in Europe.

Marseille is the capital of Provence, and  borders the French Riviera. It’s a place that should not be missed if you are spending holidays in Nice or Cannes. Getting to Marseille is easy, and the city is very interesting. It’s the second largest city in France – very Mediterranean and very multicultural, and since it has always been a port city, it is open to the whole world, and differs from the other cities in the south of France.

A guide to Marseille

It’s worth staying for at least the weekend in Marseille. This will allow you to visit the city’s attractions and to discover some of the surrounding, beautiful villages such as Cassis and Aix-en-Provence. However, if you do not have time for this and you are on the French Riviera, you can save at least 12 hours by renting a car in Nice and going to Marseille. Or you can also get there cheaper by bus.

Marseille, the capital of Provence (France)

Almost all the most important attractions of the city can be found in the vicinity of the Old Port, which is why you should go there. Attractions in the center of Marseille can be seen while walking, but remember that summer is very hot here and it will certainly be tiring. That is why it’s worth using, for example, public transport, especially to get to the la Garde hill with its basilica. Headgear and a bottle of water are of course the basics when visiting the French Riviera in summer.

What to do in Marseille

What is there to do in Marseille? You will surely admire the beautiful architecture, the great panoramic views, and enjoy good food! The most important places worth visiting while you are in the city include:

• The Old Port of Marseille (Vieux Port) – the center of the city and the starting point for discovering its attractions. Here you can also eat good food and rest in one of the many cafes.
• The Basilica Notre Dame de la Garde – on a hill overlooking the entire city. You can walk there, but it will be really tiring in the summer! I recommend taking bus 60 or the tourist train.
• The Musée des Civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée (MuCEM) and the Fort Saint-Jean – two perfectly connected structures, one of which is ultra-modern and the other medieval. It is worth going, even if only for the views from the roof.
• The islands of the Frioul archipelago – with the island of If and Castle If, where the famous Count of Monte Cristo resided, the main character in Dumas’s novel.
• The Longchamp Palace with its surrounding park – it is on the list of “important gardens of France”. The palace was built to celebrate the construction of a canal for supplying Marseille with water.
• The Cathedral la Major – one of the largest churches in France.
• The Abbey of Saint-Victor – one of the first places of Christian worship in Europe.
• Craftsmen producing Marseille’ famous soap, which you will find in the vicinity of the port.
• La Vieille Charité – a former shelter and hospice, and today a building used for cultural and social purposes.
• The Velodrome Stadium – the home stadium of the Olympique de Marseille football club.
• Le Corbusier building (Unité d’Habitation) – an iconic modernist building.
• The Calanques – also called the Mediterranean fjords.

If you do not know where to start, it is best to go to the Old Port and look around. Then see whatever takes your fancy.

Marseille, France

Where to sleep in Marseille?

Marseille offers a lot of different hotels and apartments, so everyone will be able to find accommodation here. Soon, in a separate article, I will describe places where you can sleep in Marseille. But for now, I invite you to check out the best hotels in Marseille. You can also take advantage of the wide range of private Airbnb apartments.

What to eat in Marseille

Marseille has its own local dish, and it’s worth trying. I’m talking about the famous Bouillabaisse fish soup, which can be ordered in many places, especially around the port. You can also have typical Provencal dishes, as well as Asian, French, and Italian cuisine, not to mention, bakery products and kebabs. Everyone will find their favorite flavors and places in Marseille.

Marseille

The famous Bouillabaisse fish soup is cooked using at least five fish species. This soup is so popular and so eagerly prepared in all places, that, unfortunately, its quality is mainly confirmed by its price. You will have to pay at least 40 euro per serving to get the best soup you can eat here. In the most expensive restaurants, however, it can even cost 65 euro, and you can’t order just one portion; they will serve it to you only if you order for two people (or two portions for yourself, which I do not recommend because it’s a large dish). The Miramar restaurant (12 Quai du Port) is an iconic place for tourists with a wealthier wallet.

The Provencal fish soup is much cheaper, but is also significantly different from Bouillabaisse. If you order this dish you will get a plate of mud-like liquid. This is fish soup that has been ground before serving. An obligatory addition is a dried baguette, mayonnaise with the addition of dried red pepper (it is called rouille), grated cheese, and sometimes a clove of garlic. We eat it as follows: rub the baguette with garlic (if served), spread the rouille, put the baguette into the soup and sprinkle with cheese. We add as many pieces of baguette as we like. After a while, it will pleasantly absorb the soup – this is the sign you can eat.

Marseille

Personally, I like this dish very much – but not everyone likes it.  You can order very good fish soup at a good price at Le 13 (13 Quai de Rive Neuve), which is also in the Old Port. You can find this dish in the starters menu; it costs about 12 euros and is called La soupe de poissons, or just fish soup. The waiter will not be offended if you order only this soup (an appetizer) and a glass of pink wine (rosé). I guarantee it is big enough for lunch.

Public transport in Marseille

Public transport in Marseille is well organized and easy to use. There are city buses, the metro, and trams available. The same ticket can be used for everything, and it can be bought in several ways. Tickets for public transport in Marseille can be purchased, among other places, in the vending machines that are on every metro station just before the gates.

A single ride ticket is called a SOLO ticket and costs 1.60 euro. The same ticket bought from a bus driver, however, costs 2 euro. A one-way ticket is valid for one hour and allows transfers, for example, from a bus to tram, but you can only enter the metro once.

You can find more information about the public transport in Marseille on the rtm.fr website.