Marseille to a popular destination for tourists: The attractiveness of Marseille is not only its location on the warm Mediterranean Sea, but also the proximity of the Alps, beautiful Provence and the extraordinary Côte d’Azur. Marseille to one of the three main agglomerations in the country, apart from Paris and Lyon.
When is it worth going to Marseille?
Due to its excellent geographical location in the Mediterranean and subtropical climate, Marseille deserves the attention of tourists all year round. The city is a good choice if you like sun and sea climate. The day temperature in winter does not drop below 11°C. In summer, the maximum daytime temperature is 28 °C.
The Old Port (Vieux Port) in Marseille is today the area most frequently visited by tourists. Especially since 2013, when the port renovation was completed. Especially on sunny days, walkers eagerly come here.
Marseille was built on hills and elevations and may require some effort, especially when entering the Basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde on foot. The old town also rises on hills, but in this case we can choose less steep routes.
Among Marseille’s natural attractions, it is worth seeing the Mediterranean calanques fjords. If you have read “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas, you will be interested in the Island of If and the famous Castle of If – the prototype of the fortress from the novel.
The Palace of Longchamp (Palais Longchamp) is one of the attractions for which Marseille is famous. The facility was opened in 1869 and to this day reminds us of the construction of a canal with drinking water from the Durance River, which significantly improved the quality of life in the city. The palace houses museums, and the park behind it is a popular place for walks.
Stade Velodrome – It is a football stadium located in Marseille on the French Riviera, where Olympique de Marseille plays its matches. It is the second largest sports facility in France. It can accommodate over 67,000 people in the stands and the most important events in the world of football were played here.
Provençal lavender fields are a treat for photography lovers! For this purpose, it is worth visiting the towns of Valensole and Sault, as well as the area around the mountain range and the Luberon Natural Park.
What is worth knowing about Marseille?
- Most of the monuments and tourist attractions in Marseille are located close to the old port, so some tourists may not need to use public transport even once during their short stay (apart from the station to the city center).
- Marseille is the perfect place for a short weekend getaway. Of course, if we are interested in the oldest part of the city. If we would like to sail to one of the islands or go to the Calanques National Park, it is best to book 3 to 5 days.
- Marseille has always had a bad reputation and was considered unsafe, as guidebooks and articles on the Internet have long warned about. We should be especially careful in the evenings and not leave valuable items in the car in the parking lot. (Recently, the authorities have taken matters into their own hands and are protecting this area more.)
To sum up, France attracts with its azure coast on every sunny day. Additionally, beautiful monuments and buildings complement the excursion atmosphere.
