A visit to the points of interest of Marseille including Notre-Dame de la Garde, Old Port of Marseille (Vieux Port), Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations, Palais Longchamp, Marseille Cathedral, Fort Saint-Jean, Marseille Stadium Tour, Massif des Calanques before taking the bus to Nice

What to see and photograph in Marseille

Located on the southern coast, Marseille is the second largest city in France.  A few points of interest of Marseille are;

  • Notre-Dame de la Garde
  • Old Port of Marseille (Vieux Port)
  • Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations
  • Palais Longchamp
  • Marseille Cathedral
  • Fort Saint-Jean
  • Marseille Stadium Tour
  • Massif des Calanques

The most convenient place to stay in Marseille is the Old Port.  I stayed in a hotel with balcony views of the Old Port and Notre-Dame de la Garde.  The whole bay of Marseille is on the tentative list to become a UNESCO heritage site.  Maybe in the future it will become one.

Notre-Dame de la Garde

Marseille Old Port and Notre Dame de la Garde

You can see the Notre Dame de la Garde from most points of Marseille.  It is built on the highest point of the city.  It was built in 1864 on what used to be an ancient fort.  On top of the church is a Madonna and child covered in gold leaves.  The statue is 11 meters tall and visible from the Old Port.  From the Notre Dame you get a wonderful panoramic of Marseille and the bay of Marseille.  You also see what is at the other side of the hill which is more of Marseille.  Marseille is huge and the second largest city in France.

Should I feel guilty for enjoying the view of Notre Dame from my hotel room and not walking up there?

Old Port of Marseille (Vieux Port)

Marseille Old Port (Vieux Port)

The Old Port is known in French as Vieux Port.  Around the Old Port you’ll find lot’s of bars, restaurants and activity.  There is an interesting reflecting mirror which makes it look like people are walking upside down.  Many boats leave from here to the islands.  The most popular boat tour from Marseille is to the Massif des Calanques.  The Massif des Calanques is a national park with some of the most beautiful coastline you’ll ever see.

Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations

Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations, Marseille

In 2013 Marseille was the European capital of culture.  The museum of European and Mediterranean civilizations was built as part of the event.  It’s the first national museum to be built outside Paris.  The modern museum is linked to the 17th century Fort Saint Jean by a high footbridge (above).  As the name suggests the museum is about the history of European and Mediterranean cultures.  The unique structure is a cube surrounded by fibre-reinforced concrete.  It is claimed to be made of stone, water and wind.  The French are good architects so I believe everything they say!  There is a restaurant on top of the museum which offers panoramic views of the Old Port and the Corniche.  Marseille Cathedral is directly opposite so you get a good view of this too.

Palais Longchamp

Palais Longchamp, Marseille

Palais Longchamp looks like it should be in Rome!  It was built in the 19th century to celebrate the completion of the canal of Marseille.  In the center of the building is the water castle.  This is a huge water fountain leading to the pond.  Inside the Palais Longchamp are 2 museums.  The museum of fine arts and the natural history museum.  The palace is located in Longchamp park which is one of the best parks in France.

Marseille Cathedral

Marseille Cathedral, Marseille

Marseille cathedral is considered to be one of the most beautiful buildings in France.  This means that extra effort is made to light it up at night.  It was originally built Romanesque style in the 12th century.  In the 19th century it was modernized to be what you see today.  It is known in French as the Cathedrale de la Major.  It is 70 meters high with a capacity of 3000 making it one of the largest cathedrals in France (and Europe).

The cathedral is very easy to photograph.  It is surrounded by open spaces and plazas so there are no obstructions.  The best time to photograph it is at night when it’s beautifully lit up.  Marseille is very proud of this cathedral!

Fort Saint-Jean

Fort Saint-Jean, Marseille

Fort Saint-Jean was built in the 17th century.  There is another fort guarding the Old Port called Fort Saint-Nicolas.  These forts were designed to be a majestic entrance to the Old Port which Marseille is so proud of.  They were actually built not to defend the city but to defend the mayor of Marseille at that time.  He had the cannons facing the city to defend himself from the people.  For a time during the second world war the forts were under control of the German army until liberation in 1944.  In the 1970’s the forts were then restored to what they are today, tourist attractions.

Fort Saint-Jean is best photographed from the other side of the port at Emile Duclaux park.  You’ll also get the Old Port, Marseille Cathedral and the museum in the picture.

Marseille Stadium Tour

Olympique de Marseille, Orange Velodrome, Stadium tour, stadium

If you’re lucky Olympique de Marseille will be playing at home whilst you’re in town.  You can take a metro to the stadium.  If they are not playing but you still want to see the stadium then you can take a stadium tour.  Even if you’re not interested in football the Orange Velodrome is one of the most unique stadiums in the world.  A visit to this stadium would be good for your Instagram feed!

How to get from Marseille to Nice by bus

bus from Marseille to Nice - Flixbus

The Flixbus arrives and leaves Marseille from Saint Charles train station.  There are regular Flixbus services between Marseille and Nice.  Journey time is around 3 hours.  The route through southern France is a beautiful one.  With Flixbus each seat has its own power outlet and seatbelt.  You also have access to free WiFi throughout the trip.

Nice to Turin by bus