A short break in Marseille
Marseille is known as France’s most important port city on the Gulf of Lion and is often referred to as ‘France’s gateway to the Mediterranean’. This picturesque city is the perfect destination for a city break. We’ll take you along on our short break to Marseille, show you the city’s most beautiful sights and give you some tips for your trip.
Getting to Marseille
By car
You can reach Marseille by car. Please note that you will have to pay tolls in France. As the journey time from Munich to Marseille is around 11 hours, you should opt for a flight if you’re planning a short trip. If you have more time to spare and are planning a road trip through Europe, you can visit a number of interesting cities on your way to Marseille. We’d be happy to help you plan your own personalised route for a road trip through Europe.
By plane
Marseille can be reached by direct flights from Europe. Marseille Provence Airport is the third-largest airport in France.
There are various ways to get into the city from the airport. The airport bus runs to the city centre every 20 minutes. The bus station is located directly inside the airport. A single journey costs €8.50. A taxi ride into the city costs around €40.
By private jet
Of course, you can also fly to Marseille by private jet. The private jet can land in Marseille or in beautiful Aix-en-Provence.
The top sights in Marseille
- Vieux Port, the old harbour and the city centre.
- Palais du Pharo, the palace built by Napoleon III from 1858 onwards.
- Notre-Dame de la Garde, the basilica situated on a hilltop.
- The Château d’If, a fortress and former prison on the Île d’If.
Vieux Port
The city centre is centred around the Vieux Port, the city’s old harbour. Here you’ll find markets, such as the famous fish market, street musicians, and numerous cafés and restaurants. Fresh fish and seafood feature on the menus – not to mention bouillabaisse, a tasty fish soup originating from Marseille. This Mediterranean city has a lot to offer in terms of cuisine. It was here that we first acquired a taste for lavender ice cream – a delicious dream in purple.
Palais du Pharo
Europe’s 2013 Capital of Culture is home to numerous museums and several beautiful parks. Near Aix-Marseille University, we relax as the sun sets. An outdoor yoga class is currently taking place on the lawn next to us. It is a short walk to the Palais du Pharo, located in the Le Pharo district. The Palais du Pharo is a small palace built in 1858 by Napoleon III for his wife, Eugénie de Montijo. From here, we can enjoy the view across the harbour in the Bay of Marseille.
Notre Dame de la Garde
The best view of the city is probably from the hilltop Notre-Dame de la Garde. From up here, we take in the beautiful port city of Marseille, along with other tourists, and snap a few great souvenir photos. We absolutely loved the church; you really must see the interior as well.
The basilica is popularly known as ‘La Bonne Mère’ (The Good Mother). Construction of the church began in 1853 on the site of a medieval chapel, and it was elevated to the status of a basilica in 1879. During the Second World War, the church was hit by several shells; traces of this are still partially visible today.
Boat trip to Château d’If
The next day, we visit the city’s other landmark – the Château d’If on Île d’If. You can reach the offshore island, which once served as a prison, by boat. Today, the island serves as a tourist attraction and owes its fame to the writer Alexandre Dumas, author of The Count of Monte Cristo. Following in the footsteps of the Count of Monte Cristo, we explore the fortress and, like the many sailors, enjoy the view of Marseille from the sea.
After just a few days, Marseille had completely won us over. In this beautiful city, we’re enjoying our last evening in the Old Port, watching the sun go down, and we’ve long since realised that we’ll be back.
Have you ever been to Marseille?
We’d be happy to help you plan and book your trip and give you lots of great tips for your time in Marseille. Feel free to send us an email and we’ll arrange a time to chat.
