Marseille, France

Marseille's old port, hillside calanques, and North African-influenced food scene give it a rougher, more layered identity than the postcard Riviera towns nearby. It's a major Mediterranean port and transport hub, useful both as a destination and a stepping stone along the southern French coast.

Top attractions

• •The Old Port (Vieux-Port) and its daily fish market
• •Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica, overlooking the city from its highest hill
• •The Calanques National Park, a short trip along the coast for dramatic limestone inlets
• •Le Panier, the oldest neighborhood in the city
• •The MuCEM (Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations) on the waterfront

Practical tips

• •A shuttle bus connects Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) to Marseille Saint-Charles station in about 25 minutes.
• •The calanques are best visited by boat, on foot, or by a local shuttle bus — some coves have restricted access in high summer due to wildfire risk.
• •Marseille has a reputation for being rougher around the edges than other French cities — stick to well-trafficked areas at night, as in any large port city.

Frequently asked questions