Best Tourist Places to Visit in Marseille, France, Europe
Marseille is placed on the southeast coast of France in Bouches-du-Rhone department is the second largest city in the country after Paris. Marseille covers an area of 240.62 square kilometers (92.90 square miles) and the economy of the city is based on trade and industry and extensive transportation and tourism and surrounded by Martigues, La Ciotat, Aubagns, Vitrolles, Gardanne, and Aix-en-Provence. Marseille is situated at the distance of 775 kilometers from Paris, capital of France and coordinates of Marseille are 43.2964° N, 5.3700° E.
Some of the renowned food and drinks of Marseille is Pastis, Bouillabaisse, Navettes, Pieds et parquets, Fougasse, Aïoli, Tapenade, Anchoïade, Panisse and Bourride.
History of Marseille:
Marseille is an ancient city inhabited around 30,000 years and Greeks were the first to establish their kingdom in the region and later was ruled by Romans. After the fall of Roman the region was captured by Visigoths and later ruled by Frankish and during the French rule the region was one of the wealthiest and main trading cities and many battles were fought near the port to regain the power. During the Second World War, German and Italy forces bombed the region.
Tourist Attractions in Marseille:
Notre Dame de la Garde:
Notre Dame de la Garde is placed at the distance of 2.5 kilometers from the heart of the city and construction of the basilica was completed in the year 1864 and the interior of the basilica is decked with mosaics, inlaid limestone, and wall paintings.
Port Vieux:
Port Vieux is placed in the middle of the city is the historic centre and the port has witnessed several historic maritime battles and activities and the old port is bounded by historical buildings and museums which are main tourist attractions.
Chateau d’If:
Chateau d’If is situated in the small island and boat is available from mainland to Chateau d’If and it will take around 20 minutes to reach the monument. Chateau d’If was constructed during the 16th century, was used as prison is one of the best place to visit in the city.
Palais et Parc Longchamp:
Palais et Parc Longchamp is located at the distance of 3.5 kilometers from center of Marseille was constructed between 1862 and 1869, is a historic monument in the city surrounded by fountain and museums.
Other places to visit in Marseille:
- Musée des Docks Romains
- Musée d’Archéologie Méditerranéenne
- La Place Castellane
- Parc Borély
- Le Panier
- Unité d’Habitation
- Stade Velodrome
- Mazargues War Cemetry
- L’Estaque and côte bleue
Best time to visit Marseille:
Marseille is served by Mediterranean climate with warm summer from June to September and cold winter from November to March and best time to visit Marseille is from May to September.
Transportation to Marseille:
By Air:
Marseille is served by Marseille Provence Airport placed at the distance of 25 kilometers from the center of the city is the 5th busiest airport in the country and caters with domestic and international flights to all destinations in the Europe.
By Train:
Marseille is served by Marseille St. Charles railway station sited at the distance of 3 kilometers from center of the city is well-connected to rest of the country like Paris, Lyon, Nice, Strasbourg, Frankfurt, Geneva and Brussels.
By Bus:
Eurolines are the main international bus provider in the country connecting Marseille to all over Europe and Marseille has direct connections to Barcelona, Prague, and Tangier cities.
By Ferry:
Marseille port is one of the largest ports in the country and has direct ferry services to Ajaccio, Bastia, Porto Torres, Porto Vecchio and Propriano.
Accommodation in Marseille:
Marseille is a historic city and most of the hotels in the city have a gorgeous merge of traditional furniture and Provencal fabrics allied with the luxurious guestrooms make a warm and exclusive ambiance and equipped with facilities like restaurant, lounge bar, swimming pool, solarium, fitness room and extensive meeting facilities. Some of the renowned hotels in Marseille are as follows:
- Grand Tonic Hotel Marseille-Vieux Port
- New Hotel Vieux Port
- Escale Oceania Marseille
- New Hotel Bompard
- New Hotel Saint Charles
- Novotel Marseille Est
- Adagio Marseille Vieux Port
- Kyriad Marseille Centre Rabatau
- Residhome Marseille Saint Charles
- Balladins Marseille
- Seven Urban Suites Prado
- Residhotel Le Grand Prado
- Logis Edmond Rostand