Marseille boasts an intoxicating energy to tap into, from the historic port area brimming with stories, to grand old churches, stylish neighbourhoods, and the heady scent of bouillabaisse emanating from authentic restaurants.Make no mistake: this is a city to be reckoned with.
The vital Vieux
For some 2,000 years, Marseille’s Vieux Port has been the beating heart of the city.
It’s the mainstay of the local economy: home to fishing and trade since the Romans ran the place all those centuries ago. It’s also where many would-be invaders have arrived over the centuries, which is why it’s guarded by a pair of impressive forts – St. Nicolas and St. Jean.
Today, it provides a phenomenal experience for visitors. Look out to the harbour, the scent of the sea in the air, and you’ll see local fishing boats bobbing next to super-yachts – stopping by on their way to the French Riviera.
The Vieux Port is a great place to eat too. Go in search of the best bouillabaisse in town (this aromatic fish stew is the city’s speciality) and explore the eclectic shops. For those keen to embark into the Mediterranean, numerous boat trips are on hand to ferry you to nearby islands, which also tell their own tales. It’s well-worth paying a visit to Chateau d’If, the former island prison made famous by author Alexandre Dumas, where you can experience the inspiration for The Count of Monte Cristo.
The golden church
You could never call the Notre Dame de la Garde a modest building. This huge basilica dominates the city, sitting proud upon a hilltop ever since it was first consecrated in 1864.
Worship at this spot dates back even further – there was a chapel here in the 13th century – but it is the grandeur of this structure that has made Garde Hill such a must-visit vantage point, with its golden, towering Virgin Mary statue and shining white exterior.
Inside, marble and mosaics add to the sense of ornate splendour, and once you’re done admiring this majestic marvel, step outside for an equally impressive view of the entire city.
The ‘real’ Marseille
This is a city that rewards exploration – and those with a sense of adventure. Wander into Le Panier, and you’ll find the old quarter full of winding streets opening out onto serene squares, where the locals bask in the sun. It’s an atmospheric area that gives you a sense of the ‘real’ city and there’s plenty to see here, from the Cathedrale de la Major to the Pierre Puget-designed dome of La Vieille Charite.
There’s also the famed Musée des Civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée – a mouthful better known as MUCEM – which houses the history of the Mediterranean and its cultures inside a remarkable modern building that blends in well with its older surroundings.
Another great neighbourhood to explore is Notre-Dame-du-Mont, which shares its name with the elegant neoclassical 19th-century church you’ll find here. This part of town has its own vibe, one that lends the streets a bohemian edge. Come here for mouth-watering food from all over the world, not to mention independent shops, intimate art galleries and bars brimming with live music.
A truly individual city, you can soak up all that the local streets, the surrounding area and the coast and countryside has to offer, with car hire in Marseille.
