Marseille, The place to be ! 2600 years of history, spectacular rocky fjords, bouillabaisse, pastis and rosé wine, Cézanne, cutting edge rap and hip-hop music, Marcel Pagnol, pétanque and scuba diving, Zinedine Zidane, and Olympique de Marseille : just some of the excellent reasons to visit Marseille now.
Marseille is France’s oldest city, with a rich and flavourful history. Yet it has also undergone a huge programme of modernisation with famous architects (Kengo Kuma, Jean Nouvel, Ora ïto, Rudy Ricciotti, Norman Foster…) over the last decade.
And it has never been easier to get there, thanks to a High-speed TGV rail link, Europe’s first air terminal purpose-built for low-cost flights and fast-expanding cuise ship trafic.
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in Marseille
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in Marseille
MuCEM
At the entrance of the Old Port of Marseille, floating between sea and sky, a new national museum is opening its doors. Directly facing the open sea, the MuCEM's very location makes it a major development for the Mediterranean, redefining its horizon to create a place where its two shores unite. Never before has a museum been exclusively dedicated to the cultures of the Mediterranean, despite their richness and diversity in terms of history and civilisation.
Notre Dame de la Garde
The Garde hill (154 m) has always been an observation post. Tradition has it, but there is no proof, that the look-out post exists since prehistorical times and more probably since the Roman era. In the 15th century decree of Charles II d'Anjou enumerates the Garde hill in the lists of relays. This look-out system is improved over the centuries and this function continues on the hill until 1978.
Marseille "Le grand tour"
It is a sightseeing tour of Marseille enjoying a fantastic and unique view of the city from an open top deck bus. Tour lasts approximately 1.30 hrs.
The pass, valid for 1 or 2 days, allows to hop on and off at any of the 13 stops to visit sights and museums. An original commentary with personal earphones is available in 5 languages: French, English, German, Spanish and Italian.
The shops of La Butte
Here tradition and modernity live hand in hand, with soap manufacturers established alongside concept stores. The quarter also has a lively nightlife where you are sure to find exactly what you are looking for.
Cours Julien and its adjoining streets. Until 1972 Cours Julien was home to the wholesale market.
Parks and Gardens
Marseille enjoys a splendid location in an outstanding natural environment, between the sea, the hills and the Calanques. These natural frontiers, the sea to the west and the encircling hills, have helped towards the emergence and creation of original places and landscapes. Half of the city’s area is made up of natural spaces, with over 400 hectares of public parks and gardens.
