Location: Marseille
Top Things to do in Marseille
Top 10 Historic Sites in Marseille, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur
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. L'Eveche
2. Chateau d'If
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,725 reviews
This famous fortress, standing on a rocky island off the coast of Marseille, was immortalised by Alexandre Dumas in The Count of Monte Cristo as the prison where the novel’s hero, Edmond Dantes, was incarcerated before ultimately escaping. The castle was built by Francois I in 1524 and over the centuries it gained a fearsome reputation as many opponents of royal power were jailed and died in the fortress. The Castle of If has been perfectly preserved and is one of the most impressive historical sites on the Mediterranean coastline. Open: > 15th May to 20th September: from 9.30 a.m. to 6.15 p.m. > 21st September to 14th May: from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. The last visit depends on the timetable of boats, information at the tourist information center, on our website monuments-nationaux.fr or on Frioul If express. Closed: > Mondays from 21st September to 14th May. > 1st January, 25th December and subject to bad weather. Admission fees: Adults : 5,50 €; Concessions (18 to 25) = 4 €; Free admission: minors under 18*; Free admission: 18-25 years old* (citizens of one of the 27 countries of the EU or are non-European permanent residents of France) * excluding school groups.
Reviewed By tanyac179 - Surrey, United Kingdom
We opted for this trip as part of our Marseille tourist pass. Enjoyable boat ride (great views on boat) in lovely warm weather and you can spend as much time as you like walking around. Fascinating history - there is no lift & area is uneven which was a little bit difficult for our elderly relatives but we had plenty of time to explore which helped. Walk up is steep in parts too. Nice cafe with wonderful view and prices not too bad - we just had drinks & ice cream.
3. Palais du Pharo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 765 reviews
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
4. Palais Longchamp
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,272 reviews
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.
5. Maison de l'Echevin de Cabre
6. Pavillon de Partage des Eaux dit le Tore
7. Musee des Beaux-Arts de Marseille
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 182 reviews
Reviewed By 750dimitrisl - Sydney, Australia
Musee des Beaux-Arts is a great museum exhibiting some wonderful works of art. It is located in the palatial complex Palais Longchamp, which itself is a stunning building. Unfortunately we were not able to go inside at the time we visited.
