The French Riviera’s peaceful western city is bursting with life all the way from the rustic suburban waterfront to the bright historic centre. Marseille’s rugged coastline tells the story of a rich industrial past, making it a great place to see France’s red-hot underbelly.
Witness history stretching back thousands of years, go shopping down by the docks or – if you’ve hung up your car keys for the day – try the pastis aperitif, infused with aromatic local herbs. Whatever your vacation style, Marseille has a great deal to offer.
See the Old Port
Acting the eccentric hub of the city for a millennium, it makes sense to start your journey at the Vieux Port – Marseille’s old port.
Today, this huge rectangular basin is flanked by luxury yachts, but it has been an important centre of European trade for almost 2,600 years. Forts sit beside luxury, modern stores, while a menagerie of fresh seafood eateries offer the perfect cuisine to match the salty sea air.
Hop aboard the Ferris wheel for breathtaking views of the sunset or step into one of the waterside museums to be dazzled, educated and entertained.
Experience the city’s history
Marseille’s star museum is the Musée d’Histoire de Marseille, where the past 26 centuries of the city are brought to life. This is the largest urban history museum in France, where you can delve into the Marseille’s ancient roots through more than 4,000 exhibits.
These include a necropolis, graphic art exhibitions and a sprawling archaeological park. You can even catch a show at the 200-seat auditorium and documentation centre. When the building that hosts the collection was constructed in 1967, a variety of important archaeological treasures were uncovered. Today these are showcased inside the museum.
There are many other first-class museums in central Marseille, including the shimmering Musée des Beaux-Arts. Here you can see the oldest displays in Marseille from a wing of the grand Palais Longchamp. The Musée des Civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée features a fascinating look at Mediterranean life throughout the centuries.
Visit Marseille’s iconic monuments for a hands-on look at urban history. Chateau d’If is a mystical fortress set out to sea. Historically a foreboding prison, today you can tour from Navette du Frioul at the central port.
This boating hub is located on the western edge of La Canebière, where you can take a sun-kissed stroll to find even more history. This famous city street thrums with shoppers and history-lovers alike.
The Opera House is a must-see structure, but the lively streets that surround it are rival attractions. These were the first roads to be paved in the Marseilles metropolis – today, they are alive with street performers and an age-old multicultural essence.
Venture out to nature
Marseille’s advantageous location means the treasures of the French Riviera are just a short drive away.
The Calanques National Park is a nature-lover’s paradise, with rocky limestone coves and strikingly clear waters. Park up in the town above the slopes, then explore on foot to indulge your adventurous side. Reach remote fishing towns to discover the unspoilt side to southern France, away from the grandeur of the country’s second city.
There are many quaint and beautiful towns tucked along the Riviera coastline between Marseille and Nice, each with their own secluded and beautiful beaches. Cassis is ever-popular, providing quaint respite from the Calanques wilds.
With car rental in Marseille you can get more from your French Riviera vacation. Whether you prefer the city centre bustle or the unspoilt coast, experience it all with Hertz.
