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.
Join me, Florent, a passionate and experienced guide, for an unforgettable walking tour of Le Panier, Marseille’s oldest and most vibrant district! With my in-depth knowledge of the city, years of experience in tourism, and multilingual skills, I will bring Marseille’s history and culture to life.
This tour will take you through the charming streets of Le Panier, where you'll discover:
- The Vieille Charité, a stunning 17th-century architectural masterpiece.
- Colorful street art, showcasing the artistic soul of Marseille.
- Historic squares and narrow alleyways, filled with local stories and traditions.
- The Cathedral of La Major, one of the city's most iconic landmarks.
- Local artisan shops and cafés, where you can experience Marseille’s authentic atmosphere.
- Panoramic views from the St John Fort ( Closed in tuesday)
Whether you're a history lover, a culture enthusiast, or simply looking for an engaging experience, this tour is for you! Let me show you the real Marseille, its hidden gems, and its fascinating past in a way that only a true local can.
• 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 off the beaten path, through an immersive journey of flavors, stories, and local culture, blending the elegance of the Belle Époque with the vibrant soul of the modern Mediterranean.
🥐 1. A Sweet Start at the Opéra
We begin in the elegant Opéra district, with its classic architecture and grand cafés. Your first treat: a fine pastry at the beloved Boulangerie Aixoise, a local favorite that embodies French savoir-faire.
Optional stop at La Vanille Noire, an award-winning artisanal ice cream shop, famous for its bold and surprising flavors (yes, there is a black vanilla flavor!).
🌿 2. Tisanes & Time Travel
Next, step into France's oldest herbalist shop, still in operation. This charming boutique is a treasure trove of Provençal herbs, infusions, and natural remedies. A true hidden gem!
🌍 3. Global Flavors in Noailles
Welcome to Noailles, Marseille’s own “souk.” This buzzing, colorful neighborhood is a melting pot of African, North African, Asian and Caribbean cultures. Sample spices, street food, exotic ingredients — all while soaking up the multicultural vibe.
We’ll stop for a quick bite: something delicious, hot and ready to eat on the go — just like locals do.
☕ 4. A Coffee Break with History
Time to slow down at Café de Noailles, a true local institution. This vintage café-bar still echoes the spirit of old Marseille, back when the Canebière was full of life and cafés.
🎨 5. Art, Soap & Street Culture in Cours Julien
From there, we move to the alternative artsy neighborhood of Cours Julien, known for its vibrant street art, indie spirit and cool vibes. Here, you can explore:
A visit to a traditional soap maker, where you’ll see how the famous Savon de Marseille is made — and shop straight from the workshop
Budget around €15 per person for the various tastings and small foodie stops along the way.
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.
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.
Hello! Welcome to the city of Marseille. I will be delighted to meet you and meet you in this meeting that we will have when visiting the hidden charms of the city of Marseille.
We will make a tour of approximately 2 hours, which will begin in the Old Port, and then delve into the history and its secrets that hide the streets and monuments of this great city.
We will walk back in time to reach Port Antique where the Greeks founded Massalia. Following our tour, we will visit the old Town Hall (Hotel de Ville Municipality), and the few remaining Roman remains in this war-hit city.
We will enter the oldest neighborhood in France and the birthplace of the city, Le Panier , where the first migrants settled to start a new life.
Here, we will discover La Vieille Charité , a former hospice and incredible monument, which currently functions as a museum, laboratory and school of social sciences.
Afterwards, we will return to the edge of the Mediterranean Sea to let ourselves be impressed by the Major Cathedral , and discover the only National Museum outside of Paris, Le Mucem, connected by bridges with the old neighborhood and the Fort de Saint Jean, which belonged to the Templars of the order of Jerusalem and Malta.
Returning to the heart of Marseille, we will pass through Le Vieux Port , where people from all over the world meet in this amazing metropolis.
Then I invite you to register and if you have already been part of the adventure, do not forget to leave me your comment to improve my tour. I look forward to seeing you!
Marseille, the capital of Provence, is France’s oldest city. Always shifting between myth and reality, it is also without a doubt one of the most charming and historically fascinating cities in the country. However, stereotypes and reputation have made Marseille the underrated city it is today. With our Free Tour, we hope to break prejudices by approaching its impressive history in a pleasant, professional and, above all, exciting manner. The setting of the old Marseille will give us the perfect framework to introduce you to its history. From Julius Caesar to the Inquisition, the Marseillais mafia and World War II, we guarantee a two and a half hour journey across time that is essential to understand this charming but complex Mediterranean city.
