The Vieux-Port, calanques & bouillabaisse
Marseille
Marseille · Mediterranean port with rugged soul
France's oldest and second-largest city is a sun-baked Mediterranean melting pot, gritty and glorious in equal measure. A working port since Greek times, Marseille pairs a buzzing old harbour with turquoise calanque coves and a fierce local identity.
Top sightsSights
Vieux-Port
The ancient harbour ringed by cafes, with a daily morning fish market.
Notre-Dame de la Garde
The hilltop basilica watching over the city, with sweeping views.
Calanques National Park
Dramatic limestone inlets and hidden swimming coves along the coast.
MuCEM
A striking waterfront museum linked to a 17th-century fort.
Le Panier
The oldest quarter’s tangle of lanes, street art and artisan shops.
What to eatFood
Bouillabaisse
The legendary Provençal fish stew served with rouille and croutons.
Pastis
The anise apéritif sipped everywhere in the summer heat.
Navettes
Orange-blossom boat-shaped biscuits, a Marseille specialty.
Good to know
- Take a boat or hike to the calanques — go early in summer to beat crowds.
- The Vieux-Port ferry and metro make the centre easy to cover.
- Real bouillabaisse is pricey and often needs ordering a day ahead.
Getting there
Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) serves Europe and North Africa; the TGV reaches Paris in about three hours.
Next city
Bordeaux