Marseille 3-day itinerary

1. Stop 1

   Vieux Port

   Watching fishermen selling their stock by auction is a must. Arriving into Marseille in the Vieux-Port on a summer evening is something you will never forget. You can watch this show by going to Frioul islands or Chateau d'If and going back late in the afternoon. There is also a nice view of the harbour from the Palais du Pharo (Pharo Palace). The famous Canebière avenue goes straight down the harbour. However the Canebière is not that interesting despite its reputation.

2. Stop 2 · 16 min walk

   Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde

   The big church which overlooks the city. Old fishermen used to have their boats blessed in this church. You can still see many boat models hanging around in the church. From there it is one of the nicest view of the city. You can use the tourist train from the Vieux Port to reach the church - you can get off the train, look around and board a later train back to the port.

3. Stop 3 · 11 min walk

   Abbey of Saint Victor

   Abbey of Saint Victor is a listed stop in this neighborhood.

4. Stop 4 · 10 min walk

   L'Hotel de Ville

   Marseille City Hall

5. Stop 5 · 4 min walk

   Le Panier

   Le Panier (which means basket in French) is the historical centre of the city. This district is characterized by many narrow and steep streets. The tourist office organises a guided tour in English of the Old town every Saturday at 14:00. You can begin your tour from the Vieux-Port and finish at the Mucem or vice versa. A recommended trail of this district is also proposed by the tourist office.

6. Stop 6 · 4 min walk

   Marseille Cathedral

   A Byzantine-Roman cathedral at the western side of Le Panier quarter.

Eat · Café Cantine: This little place has the best food made fresh onsite! Very kind and friendly staff. Fast service, fresh and good products. Very warm welcome and very good homemade meal.

1. Stop 1

   Place Jean Jaurès

   La Plaine is the local name for Place Jean Jaurès close to Cours Julien. Every Thursday and Saturday morning the Plaine market is the place to shop. If you are there early enough you can make very good deals, even if what you'll find there is sometimes "tombé du camion" (fallen off the truck) as one says in Marseille.

2. Stop 2 · 7 min walk

   Noailles quarter

   Lined with Arabic and Indo-Chinese shops some of the streets could be part of a bazzaar in Algeria. A fascinating area.

3. Stop 3 · 21 min walk

   Palais Longchamp

   It houses the city's Musée des Beaux-Arts and Natural History Museum. The surrounding park (the Parc Longchamp) is listed by the French Ministry of Culture as one of the Notable Gardens of France. The Boulevard Longchamp connects it with the city centre.

4. Stop 4 · 37 min walk

   Fort Saint-Jean

   Fort Saint-Jean is a fortification at the North-Western end of the Old Port, built in 1660 by Louis XIV. The fort also hosts the Museum "Musée des Civilisations de l'Europe et de la Méditerranée", but the fortification itself is accessible to the public free of cost, and worth a visit. You can walk through the old fortifications, stroll through a small park, enjoy the view on the Old Port or on the sea, or walk over the free-hanging bridges to the museum or the Church Saint-Laurent.

5. Stop 5 · 19 min walk

   Vallon des Auffes

   Small and out of time traditional fishing port, just near the city centre.

6. Stop 6 · 50 min walk

   Parc Borély

   A large and great park containing Château Borély, 300 meters from the sea. After a siesta in the park go have a drink at Escale Borely (a place with numerous restaurants and bars on the beach) to see the sunset.

Eat · Sampolo: Sampolo is a nice family place. The dishes and desserts are very tasty and homemade. Great place and great atmosphere in the evening.

1. Stop 1

   Museum of Contemporary Art [MAC]

   Later works from the Cantini collection. Situated in southern suburbs but easily reached by Metro then bus. Now reopened after a major refurbishment.

2. Stop 2 · 85 min walk

   FRAC Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur

   Contemporary art in a building designed by architect Kengo Kuma. Part of a national network .

3. Stop 3 · 13 min walk

   Musée des Docks Romains

   Built to preserve the archeological finds at the former warehouses of the old harbour from Phoenician and Roman times. (closed summer 23 check before going)

4. Stop 4 · 5 min walk

   Archaeological Museum

   Displays of Egyptian antiquities and classical antiquities.

5. Stop 5 · 9 min walk

   Marseille History Museum (MHM)

   Discover 26 centuries of history in archaeology, fine arts, everyday objects & architecture. There is a mobile app.

6. Stop 6 · 14 min walk

   Deportation Memorial

   Memorial & museum relating to repression & persecution during World War II. Run by the Marseille History Museum (MHM).

Eat · Brasserie Le Saint Victor: A very friendly neighborhood brasserie with good traditional dishes and caring, fast and efficient staff. The catering is excellent with a wide variety of daily specials.