Curator’s statement
Marseille, immortalized by the Mediterranean noir fiction of Jean-Claude Izzo, is a trove of culture and cuisine. Its winding streets, climbing avenues and majestic views of the Mediterranean Sea offer stunning visuals. And Marseille’s food draws from its rich history of immigrants — North African, Middle Eastern, Greece and Turkey and more. Get lost in Le Panier, explore the World’s Coolest Neighborhood Notre-Dame du Mont, stroll through Le Vieux Port and you, too, will fall in love with France’s oldest city.
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Things to do in Marseille
Looking into Le Vieux Port from the street
Explore Le Panier - Adjoining Le Vieux Port, this rising and winding neighborhood is full of unique restaurants, bars, shopping and street art. Take a guided walking tour or let yourself wander.
Fort St Jean - History buffs and those seeking that perfect picture will love this ancient fort connected to the Museum of Mediterranean Culture. Panoramic views of Le Vieux Port are breathtaking.
Notre-Dame a la Garde - High atop Marseille’s hills sits this basilica built to honor Marseille’s nautical connections.
EAT! Seriously, spend a day eating all of Marseille’s varied cuisines. Fresh seafood, Moroccan tagine, fine French dining and of course Marseille’s famous bouillabaisse — if you think it, you can find it!
Les Calanques - Take a day trip out to sea or a quick drive to seaside hikes and explore Marseille’s coastline to the east. Full of hidden inlets that reveal themselves like so many nooks and crannies, each one is its own surprise.
Le Vieux Port - Marseille’s main harbor area, ringed with hotels, bars, restaurants and shops. Take a sunset in with a bottle of wine and a pastis. There’s no shortage of delicious and affordable places to people-watch and feel the city humming around and above you.
Places to eat & drink in Marseille
Sunset from Propaganda
La Mercerie - Prix fixe menu — you never what’s on that night!
La Caravelle - Second-floor hotel bar overlooking the harbor
Kin - Stellar, unforgettable Congolese cuisine
La Brasserie Communale - Beer garden in the coolest neighborhood
Propaganda Bar - Watch the sunset from this harbor patio
Need to know
Marseille has something for everyone. Its landmarks make for easy navigation, and there’s adventure for a family or a group of friends to find around every corner!
Travel Advisor
Joshua Holshouser
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