Sights and Guided Tours

City of art and culture, Marseille will surprise you with its many wonders. The traditional and the contemporary go hand in hand in this city with a history that goes back 26 centuries. Visitors to Marseille will experience a trip through the ages, from the city's Greek and Roman origins, to the medieval religious foundations and up to modern times with the major architectural achievements of the 21st century. Marseille's 111 neighbourhoods and 16 districts are bursting with a wide variety of monuments, picturesque sights and museums. Here is a non-exhaustive list of the main sights in Marseille!

The Old Port (Vieux-Port)

In 600 B.C., the Greeks from Phocaea in Asia Minor landed in the Lacydon calanque. Throughout Antiquity and the Middle Ages, the city was established only on the northern shore of the port. Expansion toward the south only began in 1666, due to the influence of Louis XIV.

Notre-Dame de la Garde

Rising 154 meters above the sea, the "Garde" hill is Marseille's highest point. The basilica, whose Madonna and Child protect the city and its inhabitants, was built between 1853 and 1864, when it was consecrated.

La Canebière

The main thoroughfare and symbol of Marseille, this avenue derives its name from the word "canebe", or hemp, which was used by the ropemakers that were located here in the Middle Ages. Haussmann-style buildings were later erected here, during the 19th century.

Cathedrals

The Old and the New Major: Located in the Panier district, they are both classified historical monuments. The first dates from the 5th century. The second was built during the rule of Napoleon I in the Romanesque-Byzantine style.

Palais Longchamp: a hymn to the glory of water, this monumental palace and water
tower is closely related to the construction of the Durance canal. It is considered to be one
of best examples of Second Empire architecture in Marseille.

Islands of the Frioul and the Château d'If

A limestone silhouette off the coast of Marseille, the four islands that make up the Frioul archipelago point toward the shore: Pomègues, Ratonneau, If and Tiboulen. Alexandre Dumas made the Château d'If famous, using the island as the prison setting for his hero, the Count of Monte Cristo.

The castle is a former fortress that was built under the rule of François I in order to defend the city.

Palais du Pharo

The mythical palace of Napoleon III who wanted to reside right on the water, the Pharo palace is one of the Phocaean city's landmarks. Towering above the sea, surrounded by vast gardens, the building is an ideal location for seminars and leisurely strolls.

Château Borély and its park

Formerly the property of the Borély family, it was built in 1766. Part of the estate was purchased by the city in the middle of the 19th century. Among the attractions in the 17-hectare park are a lake, French gardens, a rose garden, a botanical garden, shaded lawns and bicycle paths. The site is highly appreciated by many of Marseille's inhabitants. The castle is currently undergoing renovation work.

The Marseille Tourist Office organizes guided tours every week, allowing visitors to experience all aspects of Marseille, ranging from the typical to the unusual. The below list of tours is not exhaustive and the Tourist Office and Convention Bureau can design tailored group tours on request. Some of the tours may be commented in English, German, Italian and Spanish.

MARSEILLE CITY PASS

"All inclusive" tourist and cultural passport. Valid for 1 or 2 consecutive days (22€ or 29€), the pass confers free admission to museums, tours, the château d'If boat, the tourist train, public transportation and other advantages.

GUIDED TOURS

Guided tours cost from 6€ to 14€

A few popular tours:
Le Panier quarter
The Birth of Marseille from the time of the Greeks
The forts of the Old Port: Saint-Nicolas and Saint-Jean
Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde Basilica.
The painters of L’Estaque: Cézanne, Dufy, Braque...
La Cité Radieuse (radiant city) designed by Le Corbusier
The Stade Vélodrome and history of the Olympique de Marseille
Some of the tours are currently undertaking formalities to apply for the Tourisme &
Handicap label.

For further information:
http://www.marseille-tourisme.com/fr/a-marseille/comment-faire/visites-guidees/

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