Marseille walking tour & city guide

The Old Port and Le Panier

The Vieux-Port, the Old Port, has been the heart of Marseille for 26 centuries. Every morning, fishermen sell their catch at the quay, and the mirrored canopy of the Ombrière by Norman Foster reflects the crowds below. Cafés and restaurants line the harbor, and boats leave from here for the islands and the Calanques.

On the hill above the north side of the port, Le Panier is the oldest neighborhood, a village of narrow streets, colorful facades, street art and artisan shops. At its heart, the Vieille Charité is a former almshouse with a beautiful Baroque chapel, now a museum.

Notre-Dame and the waterfront

High on a limestone hill, the basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde, nicknamed 'la Bonne Mère', watches over the city. Its golden statue of the Virgin can be seen from far away, and its terrace offers the best panorama of Marseille, the sea and the islands, including the Château d'If from The Count of Monte Cristo.

Near the port entrance, the MuCEM, a museum of Mediterranean civilizations in a striking lace-like concrete building, is connected by footbridges to Fort Saint-Jean. The Corniche Kennedy follows the coast south to the tiny fishing harbor of the Vallon des Auffes.

The Calanques

Just south of the city, the Calanques National Park is a spectacular stretch of white limestone cliffs and turquoise inlets, reachable on foot or by boat. Summers are hot and sunny, and the strong mistral wind can blow at any time of year. Keep an eye on your belongings in busy areas.