Marseille is France’s second largest city after the capital, Paris, and is located in the south of the country on the Mediterranean coast. Home to a historic port and a medieval old town, Marseille also makes great use of its fantastic climate, with beaches, public parks and plenty of outdoor activities for visiting families. If the city gets too hot or too busy, it is easy to escape to more open spaces, either along the Cote Bleue to smaller villages and sheltered coves, or out to sea to visit one of the many islands that lie in the Bay of Marseille.
Marseille’s old town was once completely enclosed with city walls and fortresses and though only a few now remain, they are still popular tourist attractions. The 15th century Saint-Jean fortress and the 17th century Saint-Nicolas tower are the most complete, and can both be visited throughout the year. Marseille, being one of the largest cities in France, doesn’t just boast one cathedral, but two! The Old Major was built in the 12th century, though there had been a church on the site for many centuries even at that time, while the New Major was built at the start of the 20th century. The latter is perhaps the most impressive, with a 70 metre high dome and several important religious and architectural artworks. The sea has always been of vital importance to the economic success of Marseille, from the original fishing village to the huge commercial enterprises today. Parts of the port are very industrial, and not much of a tourist attraction, but the marina is home to some great seafood restaurants – as well as some spectacular yachts – while the old docks are now famous for the 19th century warehouses that line the streets.
Until quite recently, Marseille didn’t even have its own beach, despite the overwhelming presence of the Mediterranean. Nowadays, visitors can take a day off sightseeing to relax in the Prado seaside park, which not only has two kilometres of sand, but also large grassy areas, entertainment for children and a selection of bars and cafes. More traditional beaches can be found by heading west along the Cote Bleue on the train service that runs several times a day. You can also take a boat trip from the port along the same stretch of coast or out to one of the many islands in the bay, most of which also have their own beaches, as well as walking and cycling trails. The most popular of the islands is probably If, made famous by the Chateau d’If prison in the Dumas novel ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’. The Chateau is open to visitors throughout the summer months.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Marseille? Then below is a selection of gites in Marseille and villas in Marseille that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
