La Corniche is a scenic road following the coastline from the Catalans to the enormous marble statue of David 3.5km (2 miles) further east. Keep an eye out for the Vallon des Auffes, a picturesque fishing village, before reaching the Prado beaches. The road continues to La Pointe Rouge, where more sands await.
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Things to see in Marseille
Tourist offices
Office de Tourisme et des Congrès
Address: 11 La Canebière, Marseille, France
Tel: +33 8 2650 0500.
Opening Hours:Mon-Sat 0900-1900, Sun 1000-1700. www.marseille-tourisme.com
The tourist office has a good selection of leaflets in English covering the major places of interest in Marseille and the surrounding areas, as well as maps. There is another, smaller office at the train station.
The Marseille City Pass includes free transportation (including a sightseeing train and boat trip to Chateau d'If), free entry to museums, free guided tours and discounts in selected shops. It is available for one to three days. Passes can be purchased from the tourist office or participating outlets.
La Corniche J F Kennedy et les Plages (The Corniche and the Beaches)
Opening Times: Daily 24 hours.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address:
Corniche du Président John F Kennedy, 7e, Marseille, France
Notre Dame de la Garde
Occupying Marseille’s highest point, 147m (482ft) above sea level, the neo-Byzantine basilica was built in the 19th century. Nicknamed Bonne Mère (good mother), it is topped by a gilded statue of the Virgin, who is said to bestow protection on fishermen. The mosaics are particularly beautiful, and there are magnificent views.
Opening Times: Daily 0700-1900.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No
Address:
Rue Fort du Sanctuaire, Marseille, France
Telephone: +33 4 9113 4080.
Website:
www.notredamedelagarde.com
Vieux Port (Old Port)
Overlooked by Fort St Nicholas and Fort St Jean, and thronged with masts, Vieux Port is the heart of Marseille. It’s a great place simply to stroll and soak up the atmosphere, especially among its many quayside restaurants. Marseille’s lively fish market takes place here daily on Quai des Belges.
Opening Times: Daily 24 hours.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address:
Vieux Port, 1e, Marseille, France
Abbaye de Saint Victor (Saint Victor Abbey)
This beautiful abbey was built in the 5th century on the burial place of Saint Victor, a Roman martyr. The abbey was destroyed several times over the years, until being fortified by Pope Urban V in the 14th century. The crypt is particularly atmospheric. The abbey regularly hosts concerts of religious music.
Opening Times: Daily 0900-1900.
Admission Fees: Yes (crypt only)
Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No
Address:
3 rue de l'Abbaye, 7e, Marseille, France
Telephone: +33 4 9611 2260.
Website:
www.saintvictor.net
Cité Radieuse
Built between 1947 and 1952 by famed architect Le Corbusier, the Cité Radieuse (literally ‘radiant city’) is a housing development in the southern suburbs of Marseille. For architecture buffs, it’s virtually unmissable – it was the first of Le Corbusier’s Unités d’Habitation and houses some 1,500 residents as well as a hotel, church and rooftop garden.
Opening Times: Daily 0900-1800 (guided tours Tue-Sat 1400 and 1600).
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address:
Cité Radieuse de Marseille, Boulevard Michelet, 8e, Marseille, France
Telephone: +33 8 2650 0500 (for tours).
Website:
www.marseille-citeradieuse.org
Le Panier and the Vieille Charité
The maze of narrow streets found in the Quartier du Panier, the oldest part of Marseille, lead to the Vieille Charité, a pretty set of 17th-century buildings. Today the complex is an art centre, with two museums, several art galleries, a cinema, a café, a restaurant and a bookshop.
Opening Times: Tue-Sun 1100-1800 (Jun-Sep); Tue-Sun 1000-1700 (Oct-May).
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No
Address:
2 rue de la Charité, 2e, Marseille, France
Telephone: +33 4 9125 0107 (cinema); +33 4 9114 5880 (museums).
Website:
www.vieille-charite-marseille.org
Musée des Civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée (Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations)
Built in 2013 to celebrate Marseille’s year as the European Capital of Culture, this audaciously designed gallery in the rejuvenated docks district puts on exhibits from all over the Mediterranean. Use the footbridge connecting it to Fort Saint Jean to explore the rooftop terrace before descending via the glassed-in external staircase.
Opening Times: Wed-Mon 1100-1900 (summer); Wed-Mon 1100-1800 (winter).
Admission Fees: For exhibitions only
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address:
1 esplanade du J4, 2e, Marseille, France
Telephone: +33 4 8435 1313.
Website:
www.mucem.org
Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle de Marseille
This natural history museum does what it says on the tin - and in some detail too. There are permanent exhibits looking at the evolution of man and fossil specimens found in Provence, but the most eye-catching element of the attraction is the Safari Museum, which showcases some 300 mounted animals.
Opening Times: Tue-Sun 1000-1800.
Admission Fees: Yes (free on Sun mornings)
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address:
Palais Longchamp, 4e, Marseille, France
Telephone: +33 4 9114 5950.
Website:
www.museum-marseille.org
Parc Borély
Situated halfway between Le Prado and the Corniche, Parc Borély is a tranquil expanse of greenery complete with a duck-filled lake and rowing boats for hire. There is also a botanical garden, a rose garden and even a chateau. Cycling is allowed in the park, with bicycles for hire at the entrance.
Opening Times: Daily 0600-2100.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address:
551 avenue du Prado, 8e, Marseille, France
Telephone: +33 4 9176 5938.
Stade Vélodrome et Musée de l'OM (Velodrome Stadium and OM Museum)
Football is sacred in Marseille, and an Olympique de Marseille home match is an exhilarating way of experiencing the local character in its most unbridled form. The stadium is also the setting for large-scale concerts and festivals. Next door is a museum for footie fans, with plenty of information on Les Phocéens.
Opening Times: See website for fixtures.
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address:
3 boulevard Michelet, 8e, Marseille, France
Telephone: +33 4 1364 6471.
Website:
www.lenouveaustadevelodrome.com
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