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Marseille Cruises

As you wander around Marseille’s sun-drenched Old Port area, you’ll become part of its thousands of years of epic history. This ancient port town has been used as a strategic trading post since the ancient Greeks founded it way back in the 6th century BC. Today, it’s still an important crossroads of cultures, but offers a bustling nightlife, lively arts and entertainment scene, and fun-loving population. And when you want to get away from the bustle of the city, the gorgeous lavender fields of Provence and dramatic clifftops of the Calanques National Park are only a stone’s throw away!

What You Need To Know About Marseille

How to reach Marseille from the cruise terminal?

When you cruise into Marseille, you’ll be a short bus ride or longer walk away from Le Vieux Port area. You’ll arrive a short distance down the waterfront, and the walk to the Old Port touristic area is a pleasant one taking you past a number of shops and outdoor cafes. But if you don’t want to waste any time getting into the heart of the action, opt for the shuttle bus instead. Once you’re in the main part of the city, you’ll find it quite walkable. There’s also a convenient subway system, as well as a small train which takes you around the main points of interest.

What are the can’t-miss sights in Marseille?

Wandering around the charming streets of the Old Port is one of the greatest pleasures in Marseille, and this area serves as a great jumping-off point for exploring the city. Don’t miss its multitude of markets, from the lively Fish Market to the gourmet Les Halles de la Major, housed in the belly of the La Major Cathedral (another top sight for its amazing dome and lashings of coloured marble)! If you want to visit the setting of the famous French novel ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’, take a scenic ferry ride over the island of Chateau d’Ilf with its 16th-century fortress.

Typical food and restaurants in Marseille

If you manage to make it to the fish market, you’ll see just how fresh the seafood is before it’s dished up to you in delectable, buttery sauces by Marseille’s talented chefs. Many of the city’s most pleasant places to eat are located near Le Vieux Port, particularly in Place Thiars with its open-air tables providing a chic spot for a leisurely lunch. Indulge in French classics like mussels in white wine sauce or Steak Frites. With Marseille’s southern position and history as a port town, there are also many international influences within its cuisine, particularly Moroccan and Tunisian. Don’t miss the fragrant couscous and spiced lamb!

MARSEILLE - DID YOU KNOW?

Whether you’re on the hunt for gourmet or handmade goodies, you won’t be disappointed with Marseille’s lively, colourful markets. A top choice for souvenir hunters, the Vieux Port’s Craft Market is filled to the brim with thick local honey, hand-carved bowls, and lavender-scented soaps from Provence.

Although wine is often given all the attention in the south of France, Marseille also boasts its very own microbrewery! Locals are getting in on the craft beer trend at Biere de la Plaine, which you’ll find in many bars here. Its brews feature a fruity, light taste in line with the local terroir.

Although it’s hard to step indoors and leave Marseille’s abundant sunshine behind, its museums are well worth a look. For example, the Musee Cantini features beautiful modern art, housed in an opulent historic mansion. The Palais Longchamp is a real treat to tour as well – this historic water tower features the Fine Art Museum at one end and the Natural History at the other, with expanses of botanical gardens outdoors to let you soak in the sun. One of the newest additions to Marseille’s list of museums is the ultra-modern MuCEM, focusing on the Mediterranean civilisations both past and present.