Fortress, Museum

Fort Saint-Jean has guarded the old port since the 16th century and is still one of the most famous buildings in Marseille. [btn "Top 10 best hotels in Marseille" https://www.booking.com/city/fr/marseille.en-gb.html?aid=2380460;label=p-marseille-st-jean] The fortifications were built in 1660, as was Fort Saint-Nicolas on the opposite shore of the harbour. While officially both forts were built to defend the city from enemy raids, their true…

Fortress

The Citadel of St. Nicolas is the largest fortress in Marseille, guarding the Vieux Port and situated on its southern shore. As it has no watchtower like the opposite Fort Saint-Jean, it is less conspicuous, though in fact noticeably larger. Like Fort St. Jean, the citadel of Saint-Nicolas was built in the 17th century between 1660 and 1668, and rather than protecting the town from outside danger, it protected the governor from the uprising of…

Cathedral

Marseille's largest church and main cathedral is located on the seafront and on the edge of the historic district of Le Panier. The cathedral impresses at first sight with its unusual and ornate neo-Byzantine style. The cathedral is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. [btn "Book your hotel in Marseille in advance" https://www.booking.com/city/fr/marseille.en-gb.html?aid=2380460;label=p-marseille-major] Old and new cathedral The Romanesque basilica…

Lookout, Basilica

The most famous symbol of Marseille is undoubtedly the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde, which stands on a hill above the city. Many people confuse this basilica with La Major, the main cathedral by the harbour, although it is much smaller. [btn "The 10 best hotels in Marseille" https://www.booking.com/city/fr/marseille.en-gb.html?aid=2380460;label=p-marseille-notredame] In terms of importance, however, it may even surpass the cathedral.…

Monument, Lookout

This dignified and generous monument was erected in 1927 in memory of all soldiers killed in the fighting of World War I in North Africa in the Middle East. The monument stands on the waterfront of the Corniche Kennedy about a 15-minute walk from the Le Pharo lookout. However, the terrace at the monument also serves as a beautiful viewpoint of the sea and the west coast of Marseille.

Fortress, Island

The castle on the island If is one of the popular tourist attractions and a frequent half-day trip from Marseille. The small rocky islet lies about 3.5 km from Vieux-Port and is part of the Frioul Islands. We recommend combining a trip to Château d'If with a visit to the other islands. [btn "Book a hotel in the centre of Marseille" https://www.booking.com/airport/fr/mrs.cs.html?aid=2380460;label=p-marseille-if] The island of If is only 3…

Archipelago, Fortress, Pebble beach

The Friulian archipelago is a group of several small uninhabited rocky islands with several fortresses, former prisons and small beaches. The archipelago lies about 4 km west of the centre of Marseille and includes the famous Château d' If fortress, located on the smallest of the Frioul islands. [btn "Book a hotel in the centre of Marseille" https://www.booking.com/airport/fr/mrs.cs.html?aid=2380460;label=p-marseille-frioul] The 3 main…

Gateway

Porte d'Aix is the name for Marseille's Arc de Triomphe, which resembles a scaled-down replica of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. [btn "Book a hotel in the centre of Marseille" https://www.booking.com/city/fr/marseille.en-gb.html?aid=2380460;label=p-marseille-porte] Marseille's Arc de Triomphe stands on Place Jules-Guesde, near the historic centre and the train station. Monumental arch in antique style The Porte d'Aix is architecturally very…

Palace, Museum, Garden

The Longchamp Palace is one of the most famous sights in Marseille and should not be missed. The building hosts two major museums and the adjacent park is one of the most beautiful in all of France. [btn "Top 10 best hotels in Marseille" https://www.booking.com/city/fr/marseille.en-gb.html?aid=2380460;label=p-marseille-longchamp] A celebration of water The Longchamp Palace began construction in 1839 (it wasn't completed until 30 years later)…