Things to Do in Marseille
• Your guide will navigate you through the museum's diverse exhibitions with insights into the relationship between Mediterranean regions and Europe.
• Unlike standard visits, this experience also offers views of the old port and the Mediterranean Sea besides various exhibits.
• Enhance your visit by choosing a multilingual audio tour of the Le Panier district (available in English, French, Spanish, and German) and enjoy access to the historic Fort Saint-Jean.
Join us to explore this wonderful city of 2,600 years on a two-hour walking tour, where we will embark on an exciting journey. We will begin our adventure at the marvelous Old Port, a natural harbor and the birthplace of the city, where it all began.
Then, we will head to the new Hôtel Dieu, which opened its doors for the "Marseille Provence 2013" event, during which Marseille was the European Capital of Culture. From there, we will venture into the Le Panier District, a beautiful old town with a long history dating back to the founding of Marseille by the Greeks in the 6th century BC. Over the centuries, this neighborhood has been home to a mix of communities, including Romans, Armenians, Neapolitans, and Africans, among others, reflecting the cultural diversity that permeates its architecture and atmosphere.
We will continue our tour by visiting the impressive Marseille Cathedral, one of the architectural symbols of the city. We will conclude our experience at the entrance of the Mucem: a new icon of Marseille. The Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations is one of the most visited places in the city thanks to its modern architecture that blends with the Renaissance-era Saint-Jean Fortress. Here, you can enjoy an unforgettable panoramic view of the city and capture memorable photos of the coastline.
This journey will allow us to travel through time and understand the changes that have taken place in this ancient city.
• Gasp at the eerie landmark that inspired the 19th-century novel, The Count of Monte Cristo.
• As you walk through the monument, you’ll see old graffiti by past prisoners across the walls.
• Gain a better understanding of why this fort was built in the first place.
• Fun Fact: This mythical landmark inspired the popular novel, The Count of Monte Cristo (which was translated worldwide) and 23 films.
What does the Provence region taste like? On this free walking tour of Marseille, you'll explore the neighborhoods of Ópera, Noailles, and Cours Julien.
• Visit the players’ pitch, the trophy room, and the dressing room which are usually off-limits to the general public.
• Once inside, discover football match archives, player posters, and player anecdotes from past matches.
• Conclude your tour with a close look at the Olympique de Marseille trophies, from the UEFA Champions League trophy to numerous domestic titles.
Join me, Florent, a passionate local guide born and raised in Marseille, with four generations of my family from Le Panier, for an unforgettable walking tour of Marseille’s oldest and most vibrant district.
This is not a classic, academic tour. It’s a small-group urban walk, designed to help you truly understand why Marseille is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Europe, open to the world and the sea for over 2,600 years.
With my background in tourism, deep local knowledge, and multilingual skills, I’ll bring the real Marseille to life through stories, anecdotes, and lived experience — the kind you won’t find in guidebooks.
During the walk, you will discover:
La Vieille Charité, a remarkable 17th-century architectural masterpiece
Colorful street art, revealing Marseille’s raw and creative soul
Historic squares and narrow alleyways, rich in local life and traditions
La Major Cathedral, one of Marseille’s most iconic landmarks
Local artisan shops and cafés, for an authentic neighborhood atmosphere
More than monuments, this tour focuses on people, migrations, trade, and daily life, explaining how Le Panier became a crossroads of cultures and influences from the Mediterranean and beyond.
Whether you love history, culture, photography, or simply meaningful encounters, this experience is for you.
Let me show you Marseille as locals live it — vibrant, imperfect, welcoming, and deeply human.
• Never miss a beat with buses arriving every 20 mins, efficiently connecting you to the city’s top landmarks across 14 stops.
• The open-top, double-decker buses come equipped with multilingual audio guides in 9 languages and free Wi-Fi.
• Some of the popular sightings include Old Port, Saint Victor’s Abbey, and La Major Cathedral.
Welcome to this tour of the oldest town of France.
We'll start at the Old port, where the Greeks landed 600 BC ! from there we'll step back 2600 years ago at Le Jardin Des Vestiges, to see how Massalia was born.
Then we'll get in the oldest neighborhood of France « Le Panier » retracing the history and anecdotes of its monuments, Hotel de Cabre, Hotel Dieu, Pavillon Daviel, Church of the Accoules.
Strolling through the charming old streets, you'll learn the area evolution, known for its spicy and colorful past, from the rue du Panier down to the renaissance beauty of La Vieille Charité.
Heading toward the New port we'll discover: Cathedrale of la major, Mucem, Villa mediterranée...
A lively area, attracting for its view, contrast of architectures and a great cultural offerings.
Finally at the Old Port's entrance, you'll take in stunning views of Notre Dame, two historic fortress St Jean and St Nicolas, Eglise St Laurent and Abbaye St victor.
My goal is to provide you with a rich, enjoyable, and deep understanding of my city. Sharing its history, stories, customs, and legends that make Marseille so special. I'll gladly answers your questions and give my best recommendations.
Let's explore Marseille together !
• A six-seater capsule takes you through a 220-meter route, in a 35-minute ride through semi-darkness.
• End your visit at the 2,500 m² Mediterranean Gallery which focuses on the lives of the Homo sapiens who lived in the caves and the animals they shared their lives with.
• Enjoy the rest of the day exploring the top sights of Marseille with a multilingual audio guide available on a sightseeing app.
Discover Marseille with a local guide who lives and breathes the city.
We start at the legendary Vieux-Port, where fishermen’s boats have rocked for centuries, and I’ll reveal how this harbor shaped France’s oldest metropolis. Then we dive into history and the culture of the South of France, wandering through the oldest French neighborhood where narrow streets whisper stories of sailors and adventurers. Around the backside of the port, we’ll uncover monuments, boulevards and vibrant streets before ending in Le Panier, Marseille’s wild soul of facades, secrets and street art.
Along the way: local life, anecdotes, expressions and cultural treasures.
Welcome to Marseille! I'll be waiting for you at the entrance on Avenue Canebière, Old Port.
On that same avenue, we'll stop by the Chamber of Commerce and also the tourist office in case you have any questions during your stay in Marseille.
We'll continue until we reach the Jardin des Vestiges, where the old port used to end. After that, we'll pass Avenue de la République, the second most important avenue in Marseille.
We'll continue on to see the town hall and its square, which will remind us of anecdotal moments from that era: the Hotel de Ville and the Hotel Dieu, which is now a major hotel, known as the Intercontinental Hotel.
We will arrive at the most beautiful entrance to the Le Panier neighborhood, Monte des Accoules, and immerse ourselves in this beautiful neighborhood until we reach La Major Cathedral.
In it we will find a square where the views will show us the Palace du Pharo, the MUCEM, Fort St Jean and the Cosquer Museum.
Finally, we'll stroll to the viewpoint of Saint Laurent Church, offering spectacular views of the Notre Dame de la Garde Basilica, the Abbey of Saint Victor, and the spectacular Old Port.
It will be a pleasure to welcome you. I look forward to seeing you!
WELCOME DEAR TRAVELERS
This tour begins where Marseille was born, in the secret streets of Le Panier, and ends by the sea, at the legendary Vieux-Port of the Phocean city.
Ideal for cruise passengers or travelers who want to experience the city from the inside out, with calm, authenticity, and a history that is felt, not just told.
What makes this tour unique
- It starts away from the noise and crowds
- Specially designed for those arriving by cruise or on a short visit (starting point very close to the bus stop coming from the Cruise Terminal)
- Tour in the opposite direction to most of the city's FreeTour services
- Ends in the tourist and gastronomic epicenter, ready to continue your day with the attractions and points of interest recommended during the tour such as Palais Longchamp or Notre Dame de la Garde
My Instagram @nico.freetourmarseille
THIS TOUR IS CONDUCTED WITH A MINIMUM OF 5 PASSENGERS, CONFIRMATION REQUIRED 12 HOURS BEFORE THE TOUR BEGINS
