What to do and see in Bouches-du-Rhone, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur: The Best Free Things to do

July 26, 2021 Yuk Petri

Discover the best top things to do in Bouches-du-Rhone, France including Parc National des Calanques, The Panier, Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde, Cathedrale St. Sauveur, Eglise St-Trophime, Vieil Aix, Cite Radieuse Le Corbusier, Palais Longchamp, Eglise des Stes-Maries, Parc Naturel Regional de Camargue.
Restaurants in Bouches-du-Rhone

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. Cathedrale St. Sauveur

Place des Martyrs de la Resistance, Aix-en-Provence France +33 4 42 23 45 65 http://www.cathedrale-aix.net/en/
Excellent
53%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 978 reviews

Cathedrale St. Sauveur

Reviewed By EdwinP278 - Charlotte, United States

Wonderful historic cathedral - great visit to a beautiful old church. We loved our walk to the cathedral enjoying the market in Aix, viewing the sidewalk cafes, and then our visit to St. Sauveur. Recommend stopping at a sidewalk cafe and enjoying a nice Rose from Provence, sampling sausages and cheese in the market, and enjoying a strill along the pedestrian friendly streets and alleys. One of our favorite stops on our cruise.

5. Eglise St-Trophime

Place de la Republique, 13200, Arles France http://www.pays-arles.org/e-patrimoine/communes/arles/article/eglise-saint-trophime
Excellent
45%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 901 reviews

Eglise St-Trophime

Reviewed By MaryannF650 - Clarksville, United States

During a river cruise, we participated in a shore excursion of Arles where we engaged in a historic and photographic walking tour. Located on the main square, Eglise St. Trophime was part of our visit. We were so fortunate to have had a tour guide who provided us with an extensive history of St. Trophime. What incredible architecture. How photographic! According to available literature, "The Church of St. Trophime was built in the late 11th and 12th centuries and was named after the city's first bishop. This fine Romanesque edifice is notable for its magnificent carved west portal, interesting furnishings and glorious cloisters containing impressive sculpture...they show all sorts of biblical scenes, like the Apocalypse and the Gospel of St. Matthew. If you look up at the tympanum you can identify Jesus seated above the 12 apostles, beneath some 40 angels in the archivolt. The interior of St. Trophime has early Christian sarcophagi, 13th century plaques and epitaphs, baroque paintings and nine Aubusson tapestries from the 17th century. Located in the Place de la Republique, not far from the Quai Lamartine pier. Don't miss it!

6. Vieil Aix

La Rotonde, 13100, Aix-en-Provence France +33 4 42 16 11 61 http://www.aixenprovencetourism.com/destination/aix-en-provence/les-quartiers-daix/?detail=2668
Excellent
60%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,792 reviews

Vieil Aix

Reviewed By 750dimitrisl - Sydney, Australia

Vieil Aix is a fascinating place. The "Old Aix" is a beautiful area. We walked around the streets observing, looking, enjoying everything there was on offer. There are wide and some narrow streets, shops, cafes, restaurants, patisseries, bread shops, and other types of shops, fountains, sculptures and more. And the architecture of the buildings is also worth the trip.

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. Eglise des Stes-Maries

Place de L'eglise, 13460 Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer France +33 4 90 97 80 25 http://www.saintesmaries.com/fr/accueil/village/l%C3%A9glise.html
Excellent
47%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,169 reviews

Eglise des Stes-Maries

Reviewed By 725ogn - Geneva, Switzerland

So much history Great little side visit when in Saint-Marie de la mer Get out of the hot and chill out

10. Parc Naturel Regional de Camargue

Parc naturel de Camargue, 13200, Arles France +33 4 90 97 10 40 [email protected] http://www.parc-camargue.fr/
Excellent
61%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 811 reviews

Parc Naturel Regional de Camargue

Reviewed By MikesWorld1111 - Nice, France

I am happy we took a guided tour of the Camargue because the guide was very informative. He bought us to pet the white horses of Camargue. He explained the differences between Camargue and Spanish bulls. Took us to a small village on the sea called St. Marie and finally we went to observe the flamingos ... All of this in about 4 hours.

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