Why is it essential to visit Marseille at least once in your life?
Marseille is much more than just a port on the Mediterranean. It’s a city full of life, contrasts, light, and authenticity. As soon as you set foot here, you immediately feel the unique energy of this city, which vibrates between Provençal traditions and urban excitement. Here, the sun shines more than 300 days a year, the cicadas sing from the first rays, and the sea sparkles with a thousand blue reflections.
We happily lose ourselves in the colorful alleys of Le Panier, marvel at the splendor of the Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica, perched like a sentinel above the city, and let ourselves be mesmerized by the ballet of boats on the Old Port. In the evening, we toast on the terrace of a bar facing the sunset, with a glass of chilled rosé or a pastis, like a true Marseillais.
But Marseille is also a thriving cultural city, with must-see sites like the Mucem, the FRAC, and the Friche la Belle de Mai. Its generous gastronomy, warm people, and unashamed melting pot make it one of the most vibrant cities in France.
And when you need to escape, the Calanques are never far away: wild coves with turquoise waters, accessible on foot, by boat or by kayak, ideal for a nature break.
Marseille is an experience. A city to be lived, felt, and tasted. And one that often leaves a lasting impression.
Things to see in Marseille, just 30 minutes from Aix-en-Provence:
- The Old Port
- The Mucem (Musée d’Etudes Mucem)
- La Bonne Mère (The Bonne Mère)
- La Major (The Major)
- The Frioul Islands and the Château d’If (by boat from the Old Port, 30-minute crossing)
- The Radiant City (Le Corbusier)
- The Panier district
- Eat a Marseille bouillabaisse