Top 10 Free Things to do in Marseille, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur

November 11, 2021 Jasper Kershner

Travelers visit the port city of Marseille, the third largest city in France, for the meeting of style and history. The bay, flanked by Fort Saint-Nicolas, and Fort Saint-Jean shelters the Castle of If, from Count of Monte Cristo fame. Watched over by the basilica Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, the city's pedestrian zones and shopping areas (including the colorful French-African quarter) mix with historical sites.Travelers looking for a fun time go to the OK Corral, a cowboy theme amusement park.
Restaurants in Marseille

1. Parc National des Calanques

Route du Feu de la Calanque de Morgiou, 13009 Marseille France +33 4 20 10 50 00 http://www.calanques-parcnational.fr/
Excellent
81%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 3,949 reviews

Parc National des Calanques

Reviewed By milgil24 - Sydney, Australia

The stunning natural beauty of the Calanques along the South Coast of France is a must do. We went on a boat tour which departed from Marseille (booked through Airbnb experience) which was amazing, but there are so many ways to visit this national park.

2. The Panier

13002 Marseille France http://www.lepanierdemarseille.com
Excellent
44%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,447 reviews

The Panier

Reviewed By Ilmar1 - Perth, Australia

The one unique thing about this area which makes it worth visiting is the quality of the street art (or graffiti) which adds a very colourful dimension to the narrow streets. Virtually nothing was open when we visited except a few shops selling mass produced souvenirs, so there was nothing to do but take photos. I was told this was because it was no longer tourist season (which explained the almost deserted streets) and the december rush had yet to begin. Take an hour to walk slowly around and admire the views. It is worth it.

3. Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde

Rue Fort-du-Sanctuaire, 13281 Marseille France +33 4 91 13 40 80 [email protected] http://www.notredamedelagarde.com/
Excellent
72%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 13,186 reviews

Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde

Reviewed By JenLovesTrains - Bad Hindelang, Germany

It’s a steep climb up to the basilica with stations of the cross along the way. Well worth it for the views over all of Marseille. It looked as though a little tourist train goes though if you don’t want to do the walk. The basilica itself is beautifully decorated with mosaics and full of a variety of thankful donations, including ship and plane models hanging from the ceiling, medals, paintings and many many marble plaques. We enjoyed reading those! People’s thanks range from being saved from submarine bombardment in the war through being healed of an ulcer to passing an exam. There’s also a crypt, gift shop, restaurant and museum but we didn’t go to the restaurant or museum. They crypt is full of votive candles and the gift shop is crowded but has a good selection of postcards.

4. Abbaye Saint Victor

3 rue de l Abbaye, 13007 Marseille France +33 4 96 11 22 60 [email protected] http://www.saintvictor.net/?lang=fr
Excellent
59%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 844 reviews

Abbaye Saint Victor

Reviewed By TomS841 - Munich, Germany

The crypt, which is the original church built in a Roman quarry in the 3C as a christian burial place outside the town, now forms the foundation of the 11C tower, a massive fortification which speaks volumes to the defensive nature of church establishments then. The original 2C Roman sarcophagi are in excellent condition. The crypt is in it's original 3-5C condition. Where else can you see that? Quite spectacular and for 2 Euros, definitely not just worth staring at from above. The church itself is Gothic and otherwise unremarkable.

5. Cathedrale de la Major

Place de la Major, 13002 Marseille France +33 4 91 90 53 57 http://marseille.catholique.fr/La-Major-cathedrale
Excellent
49%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,467 reviews

Cathedrale de la Major

Reviewed By YairBarZohar - Qiryat Ata, Israel

Marseille's impressive cathedral is one of the most important national monuments in all of France and today serves as the seat of the Archbishop of Marseille. The cathedral stands on a site that served as a cult site of the city from the 5th century AD. The structure we are facing today is mostly from the 19th century, but there are small parts of it dating back to the 12th century. But what makes Marseille's cathedral so important is not only the fact that it is the oldest church in the city, but especially the fact that its interior design is stunning. The spectacular combination of Romanesque and Byzantine architecture, together with the impressive size of the cathedral, makes the visit within the cathedral a tremendous experience. Admission is free. Opening Hours: Daily 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. How long should you visit? About half an hour.

6. Palais du Pharo

58 boulevard Charles Livon, 13007 Marseille France +33 4 91 55 11 11 http://palaisdupharo.marseille.fr/
Excellent
50%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 765 reviews

Palais du Pharo

Reviewed By 444Travelfor - London, United Kingdom

Nice park beautiful walk around the palace, beautiful vegetation on one side and on the other side beautiful view of the sea for very beautiful photos

7. Cite Radieuse Le Corbusier

280 boulevard Michelet, 13008 Marseille France 03 4 91 16 78 00 http://www.marseille-citeradieuse.org
Excellent
51%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 879 reviews

Cite Radieuse Le Corbusier

Reviewed By chickandbeast - Southgate, Canada

Cite Radieuse Le Corbusier is part of everyday existence but architecture lovers celebrate it as a piece of art of a building designed by architect Le Corbusier.

8. Palais Longchamp

Blvd du Jardin Zoologique, 13004 Marseille France +33 4 91 14 59 50 http://www.marseille-tourisme.com/en/discover-marseille/heritage/the-palais-longchamp/
Excellent
49%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,272 reviews

Palais Longchamp

Reviewed By 750dimitrisl - Sydney, Australia

Palais Longchamp is a beautiful building in a lovely park. It was constructed in the 19th century as a way of celebrating the construction of a canal that carried water to the city from the Durance River. This also explains all the lovely water and other features which are part of the whole works. There are many sculptures which bear a symbolic meaning relevant to the water works. For example the three female figures at the top of the fountain represent the river, fruit and fertility. The building also houses two museums, the Musée des Beaux-Arts, and the Museum d'Histoire Naturelle. The garden is also very nice and a lovely place to walk and relax. We came here by train, or the Metro, but there are other forms of transport as well. A visit is highly recommended.

9. Calanque de Morgiou

Marseille France http://www.calanques-parcnational.fr/fr/calanque-de-morgiou
Excellent
72%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 522 reviews

Calanque de Morgiou

Reviewed By TV2451

So beautiful. We saw this little harbor and beach from the Sea on a wonderful boat trip from the port which was one of my favorite experiences ever in the South of France. This scenery is spectacular.

10. Vallon des Auffes

Boulevard des Dardanelles, Marseille France http://www.marseille-tourisme.com/en/discover-marseille/heritage/the-coastal-road-and-the-seaside/
Excellent
58%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,404 reviews

Vallon des Auffes

Reviewed By charlesbH4893MP - Toronto, Canada

We visited here in May 2019 when we were researching our upcoming book "Flavour with Benefits: France". The harbour has a few cafes and restaurants that are very good including Chez Fonfon. Have fun!

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