Address: Centre Bourse, entrance on Rue de Bir-Hakeim, Vieux Port, Marseille

Hours: June-Sept., Mon.-Sat. 10-7; Oct.-May., Tues.-Sun. 10-5    

Tickets: €3

    There are a number of significant Roman ruins in Marseilles. One of the best examples can be seen at the Musée d’histoire de Marseille and its neighboring Jardin de Vestiges. In the Musée d’histoire, there is displayed a recovered wreck of a Roman cargo boat, its 3rd-century wood amazingly preserved, and the hull of a Greek boat dating from the 4th century BC.

    The Jardin de Vestiges features ancient ruins excavated beginning in 1967. You may wander through the area where the excavations are taking place. It contains remains of the fortification of the ancient Greek city. Admission to the Jardin de Vestiges is free.

    To protect Marseille from the armies of Charles the Fifth, François I built a fort in 1524 on the highest point in Marseille, which, along with the Château d'If, formed a nautical defense. This fort on Garde hill served as the foundation for the present basilica which was built in 1853. The silhouette of the cathedral seen from afar is inseparable from the image of Marseille. Pilgrims to the basilica increased in number. In the middle of the 19th century, the Basilica of Notre Dame became too small to accommodate the numerous pilgrims who journeyed there.

    The sanctuary is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Many predominantly gold mosaics with multicolored marbles dazzle the interior of the church, with interesting bronze doors and an unusually high altar. The belfry houses a vast golden Madonna and child, visible from half the city. From the terrace, in front of the sanctuary, there is a magnificent view of Marseille spread out before you.

Riou Island   

    The summit of this island provides a panoramic view of the calanques (white cliffs and breathtaking little fjords). A choice of several footpaths can be taken to explore this wild island that is currently uninhabited. On the top of one of the hills is the ruins of a watchtower built in the 12th Century to warn Marseille of possible attacks from Barbarians.

Large and Small Conglué Islands

    In 1952 Jacque Cousteau's ship "Calypso" took up residence at the large Conglué. After several attempts, the divers discovered the most significant Roman shipwreck in the world. Thousands of pieces of tableware were found as well as a vast array of decorative wine storage containers. Since then, other shipwrecks in the area have also been discovered, which creates quite a sunken treasure.               

Jarre Island

    The Jarre Island has been one of the primary places in the Mediterranean where trading ships dropped anchor for over 20 centuries. It was here that in 1720 the "Grand Saint Antoine", a ship carrying the plague from Smyrna to Marseille, was burnt and sunk.

Maïre Island 

Address: Archipel du Frioul

Address: quai de la Tourette, Marseille, FR 13002

Metro: Vieux Port

Hours: Wed.-Sun. 10:00am-5:00pm

    This Holocaust memorial depicts eyewitness accounts from concentration camps, a vast collection of photographs from Auschwitz, and photos of the evacuation, deportation and destruction of Marseille's historic quarters.  The urns containing ashes and soil from 18 concentration and death camps are the most disturbing.

    Archaeological evidence of Saint Victor’s Abbey goes back to the end of the 5th century. In 1020, a Catalan monk, Isarn, began an extensive building and constructed the first upper church.   The main altar was consecrated in 1040. Then from the end of the 12th century to the 13th century, the abbey was entirely rebuilt. Gradually, monastic life diminished and the abbey was secularized by order of the pope in 1739.
    The French Revolution transformed the church into a fodder store, a prison, and a barracks.  The abbey was again used for worship and restored in the 19th century. The church was made into a minor basilica in 1934 by Pope Pius XI.
    Every year at Candlemas, the second of February, there is a pilgrimage to Saint Victor. In the morning, a procession leaves the Old Port for Saint Victor along Rue Sainte. The black Madonna that is kept in the crypt is arrayed in a green coat and is presented to the public on the square in front of the church. The archbishop blesses her and celebrates mass.

The coast of Marseille features over 50 beaches. The Marseille coast alternates between rock, sand and shingle.

Calanques, a series of magnificent white cliffs and beautiful little fjords, is a paradise for hikers, rock climbers, and scuba divers. It is also where the world's oldest underwater cave was discovered - the Grotte Henri Cosquer, depicting handprints dating back approximately 27,000 years.  Access to the Calanques in spring and summer prohibits car traffic. Access: Bus lines 19 and 20, bus no. 21 to Luminy then walk to Sugiton, walk the Calanques along the Gardiole and Cassis hiking trails.

The Bain des Dames and Bonne Brise coves are small beaches of sand and pebbles near the city with no supervision and no facilities. But on the up side, it has an unparalleled view of Marseille harbor and it also provides a restaurant. Access: bus line 19

Pointe Rouge beach, the largest sandy beach, offers restaurants, restrooms and play areas. It is supervised in summer, has a first aid post, showers and a clothing store. Access: bus line 19.

Prado Seaside Park  Every year, three and a half million visitors enjoy the lawns, the rest and play areas and the internationally famous skateboard track that are open to the public. The many activities of this seafront park are a draw to visitors any time of year. It includes: Bonneveine Cove and Vieille Chapelle, Borély Beach, L’Huveaune Beach and the Prado South and North Beaches. The Prado beaches are often considered Europe's most beautiful coastal areas, and a favorite for kite flyers, windsurfers and roller skaters. It is supervised in summer, has first aid posts, a clothing store, restrooms, showers, play areas, refreshment stand,s and disabled access.
In summer, a stadium is built on the beaches with stands open to everyone. This is a venue for international sports competitions and sporting and cultural activities for children and adults supervised by certified instructors. Access: bus lines 83 and 19.

Catalans beach is the home of the Catalans Beach Volleyball Club, which organizes an international tournament every summer. Access: bus line 83.

Corbière beaches are to the north, with their municipal water sports centre and landscaped gardens. Pedestrian access is by a path cut into the rock and steps. They are not very deep, partially shaded, made of fine sand and pebbles, and are equipped with restrooms, showers, a clothing store, refreshment stand and play area with volleyball. From here there is one of the best views of the Marseille coast. Sporting and cultural activities for children and adults are supervised by certified instructors. Access: bus line 35 to the terminus.

Flights: For backpackers looking to skip the wait to Paris, Lyon, and Corsica, Aéroport Marseille-Provence (MRS) provides quick flights to those destinations.

Trains: Gare St-Charles will get backpackers onto trains heading towards Paris (3hr), Lyon (1.5hr), and Nice (2.75hr). 

Buses: Gare Routière is near the train station on pl. Victor Hugo and services Avignon (2hr), Cannes (3hr), and Nice (2.75hr). 

Ferries: To take a ferry to Corsica or Sardinia, head to 61 bd. des Dames for SNCM.  Hours are M-F 8am-6pm, Sa 8am-5:30pm.

Public Transportation:  RTM operates the metro, tram and bus lines.  There are two metro lines, 2 tram lines, and over 140 bus routes to get those backpacking Marseille around town. The metro runs from 5am-9m M-Th and 5am-12:30am F-Su.  Consider purchasing a Liberty Card for €20, which covers 10 trips. 

Taxis: Taxis depart from Gare St-Charles. 

Address: 5, rue de l'Arc

Transportation: Metro Estrangin-Prefecture

Hours: 7:00pm- 2:00am

    This bar is located in a cave which attracts a hip crowd. Locals and visitors love to come to this bar for its convenient location and diverse entertainment as well. Visitors come to enjoy the music that may be featured that evening which ranges from techno to rock. Live concerts are also performed here periodically. Drinks are reasonably priced, and the service is very accommodating.

Address: 63, place Jean-Jaurès, Marseille, FR 13006

Transportation: Metro Cours Julien

    If you are in the mood to hear some alternative rock or acoustic music, L'Intermédiare is the place to go and is popular among the younger crowds. Visitors can have a few drinks, shoot some pool, and enjoy a concert featuring the region's latest music.

Address: 34, quai du Port, Marseille, FR 13002

Address: 24 quai de Rive Neuve, Bompard

    This is the disco in town for wilder denizens. The club's draw is its different dance "grottos" offering techno, salsa, and funk.