Tourist Attractions And Explore In Marseille, France
Known for its bouillabaisse, Marseille is a vibrant city on the Cote d’Azur. Marseille is home to a number of beautiful landmarks, and has an interesting cultural scene. In addition, the city has several markets, making it easy to shop for Provencal specialties.
Marseille’s old quarter is one of the most interesting areas of the city. This area has long corridor-like streets and ochre-coloured walls. It was once a poor area, but is now trendy and home to many independent boutiques and shops.
The Musee des Beaux-Arts is one of the city’s oldest museums. It contains a rich collection of Provencal art. You can also see a large collection of Italian art. Marseille’s old quarter was once home to a large Maghreb population.
Today, you can still find a large number of Corsicans and other ethnic groups in the city. Notre Dame de la Garde is one of Marseille’s most iconic landmarks. Its 60 meter bell tower, designed by Jacques Henri Esperandieu, is a symbol of Marseille.
The Palace Longchamp is a great attraction for families. It contains a small Natural History Museum, as well as a botanical garden. There are several playgrounds and sports courts for groups. There are also two restaurants, making it a good place to eat.
The Marseille Museum of History is the city’s largest urban history museum. It contains ancient artifacts, including ships and mosaics. It also has an archaeological site and maps of the city at different points in history.
Dame De La Garde #1
Located on a hill overlooking Marseille, the Notre-Dame de la Garde is a Catholic basilica. It was built in the Neo-Byzantine style. It was designed by Henry Esperandieu, and it was consecrated on June 5, 1864.
The name ‘Garde’ is derived from a hill that was used as a lookout post by sailors. They would climb up the hill to pray for a safe voyage. After the building of the Basilica, the hill became a place of worship.
During the Middle Ages, many chapels were built on the hill, including a small sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary. In 1477, the chapel was enlarged. It included a bell tower. The basilica was also built to accommodate increased numbers of visitors.
The basilica is a popular pilgrimage site, especially on Assumption Day. It is a place of worship that is free to visit. Its daily opening hours vary throughout the year. You can get to the basilica by bus or a tourist train. The bus ride takes about 15 minutes.
The basilica is a great lookout point, offering stunning views of Marseille. There are also boat models and pretty mosaics. You can also buy tickets online.
Notre-Dame de la Garde is regarded by locals as the guardian of the city. It is the city’s best-known landmark. People have been praying to the Virgin Mary since the XIVth century.
In the Middle Ages, the hill served as a military building. A priest named Pierre had the idea of building a small sanctuary on top of the hill. It was a rocky triangle, and it could accommodate up to 60 people.
Old Harbor #2
Located on the southeast coast of Kodiak Island, Old Harbor is one of six Alutiiq villages on the island. The village is a blend of older Sugpiaq traditions and the Orthodox Christian religion. Old Harbor residents have a strong subsistence based lifestyle.
They are warm and sincere. They are proud to share their culture with visitors. There are several fishing lodges and sport fishing guides in Old Harbor. They arrange freshwater fishing charters and birding trips to Flat Island. Some lodges even have packages that include lodging and meals.
The Alutiiq Tribe of Old Harbor is working with the Old Harbor Native Corporation to preserve their culture and land. They are also working to provide educational programs and projects to build a healthy community. The Alutiiq language is taught at the Alutiiq Museum’s language revitalization program.
Old Harbor is a quaint, picturesque village on Kodiak Island. The village is a blend of the Orthodox Christian religion, Alutiiq traditions and a strong subsistence based lifestyle. It is home to the largest puffin colony on the archipelago. It is a popular destination for wildlife viewing.
The Three Saints Russian Orthodox Church is the center of the village. It was built in 1999. It survived the tsunami after the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake. It was also the first Russian colony in Alaska.
There are several breakwaters along the coast. There are mooring facilities. These breakwaters are located to the east and west of Old Harbor. They are used for commercial and ferry traffic.
MuCEM #3
Located in southern France, MuCEM is one of the world’s largest ethnographic museums. The museum takes an interdisciplinary approach to society. Its exhibitions focus on the peoples of the Mediterranean Sea.
Its collections draw from the former Musee national des arts et traditions populaires in Paris. It also acquired artefacts from other museums. MuCEM’s collection is comprised of over one million pieces, including everyday objects, historical artifacts, and artwork.
The museum is free to visit. It offers a day pass that allows access to all MuCEM temporary exhibitions. It is also open year-round. It hosts seminars, conferences, and film screenings. It also has a restaurant, café, and terrace.
The museum is divided into three buildings. It is located in the Belle de Mai district of Marseille, near the Vieux-Port. The main building is wrapped in an intricate black concrete mashrabiya lacework screen that creates a North African feel.
The other two buildings are connected by a 115-meter-long pedestrian bridge. The museum’s main entrance leads to two galleries that focus on the Mediterranean. It has a documentary area and an underground auditorium. It is also well-equipped for various handicaps.
MuCEM offers free entry to the museum on the first Sunday of each month. It also offers access to its gardens and an open-air theatre. There are also special events, such as the Plan B festival. This annual event features dance, poetry, and music. It runs until December 31, 2023.
The building is also accessible for the visually and physically disabled. Visitors can also get a behind-the-scenes tour of the museum’s Conservation and Resource Center.
Calanques National Park #4
Located in southern France, Calanques National Park is a beautiful place to visit. It is located on the Mediterranean coastline. It is home to a wide variety of caves, sinkholes and limestone bedrock. It also features underground rivers and marine life.
The park’s landscape is sculpted by erosion and climate change. It is crisscrossed with many hiking trails. The trails are ideal for wildlife spotting and stunning views. It is also a great place to rock climb.
The park is also home to several marine heritage species. These include deer, foxes, wild boars, Montpellier snakes, Saga pedo bush cricket (known as the Spiked Magician), and European free-tailed bat. These species are considered protected by the French government.
A 6-km hike is a great way to visit three of the most beautiful Calanques. You can also rent a kayak or rent a boat to explore the area. You can also take a guided tour.
Calanques National Park has a variety of hiking trails, which vary in difficulty. A 7.5-km hike from Port Miou to Port Pin takes about 2 hours. The trail is fairly steep, but there are tour guides available to help you out. The trail is also over 1,000 feet above sea level. It is best to bring sturdy hiking boots and plenty of water.
Calanques National Park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Many tour operators offer group rides into the calanques. It is also possible to hike into the calanques yourself.
Chateau D’If #5
Located on a small island in the Bay of Marseille, Chateau d’If was once a military fortress. It was used as a prison during the 17th and 18th centuries. It is a three-story, square-shaped edifice with 28-meter sides.
Chateau d’If was built by French King Francis I in 1524. He used the building as a military fortress. It was converted to a prison in 1516. It was the most notorious prison in its day. It was home to thousands of prisoners. They were kept in overcrowded conditions, and often chained to walls. Poor prisoners were forced to live in the basements of the chateau.
Chateau d’If was known for its cruelty, and many prisoners were incarcerated there for years. Some famous prisoners held there included the Count of Mirabeau, who was imprisoned for a year. Another prisoner was the Man in the Iron Mask. He was thought to have been the creator of the Great Plague.
The prison was used as a setting for the novel ‘The Count of Monte Cristo.’ The book was written by Alexandre Dumas, and was published in 1844. It was translated into many languages. Twenty-three films have been made based on the novel.
In addition to the famous prisoner ‘The Count of Monte Cristo,’ Chateau d’If has held a number of political prisoners. The prison hosted revolutionary leaders and political opponents of the government. It was visited by Mark Twain, who wrote about his visit in his book The Innocents Abroad.
Vieille Charite #6
Located in the Le Panier district, Vieille Charite is a historical monument. Its history traces back to the seventeenth century. It was used as a shelter for the homeless and beggars, and later as a hospice for old people. In 1951 it was declared a National Heritage building.
It is now a cultural center and a research centre. It is home to several museums, including the Musee d’Afrique, the Musee d’Oceanic Arts and the Musee d’Archeologie Mediterraneenne. It also hosts temporary exhibitions.
The museum houses a unique architectural ensemble. It is constructed of golden-pink limestone mined in La Couronne on the Blue Coast. The buildings are 3 stories high, and enclose a spacious inner courtyard. The Pantheon-like church is centered in the middle. It is covered with a beautiful dome, which reflects the architecture of the Baroque period.
It is also home to a number of art galleries and museums. The Museum of Mediterranean Archaeology has the largest collection of relics in France. Its exhibits include a papyrus book of the dead, funerary relics, Egyptian art, and a room dedicated to Egypt.
The Centre International de la Poesie de Marseille is also located at Vieille Charite. It has a library and a small cinema. It also hosts concerts for a variety of genres.
There is also an Eric Bourret retrospective exhibition. This will take place in the chapelle of the Centre de la Vieille Charite, and features 180 works by 80 artists. It is part of the festival Photo Marseille 2021.
The Cathedrale De La Major #7
Located in the city of Marseille, the Cathedrale de la Major is a beautiful Byzantine church that’s considered a symbol of the city. This church is located on an esplanade overlooking the port of commerce. It has been designed in a Romanesque-Byzantine style. It features side chapels and mosaics inside.
The Cathedrale de la Major was built in the mid-19th century, when Marseille was a major port. It is one of the city’s most impressive monuments and is free to visit. The cathedral is made up of two eglises, with a nef, a nef-cloister, a main cupola and a nef-tower. The main dome is 70 meters tall and the nef-tower is 20 meters tall.
The interior of the cathedral is decorated with Byzantine arches, mosaics, statues, and an autel. It is one of the largest cathedrals in France. The interior can hold up to 3,000 worshippers at a time.
The Cathedrale de la Major is located on an esplanade, close to the original base of the city of Marseille. The site was used for cathedrals of Marseille since the 5th century. It was also the site of a temple dedicated to the goddess Diana. It was rebuilt in the XIeme and XIIeme siecles.
The new cathedral is made up of pink stone from the quarries of La Couronne. The construction of the Cathedrale de la Major took forty years. In 1852, Napoleon III laid the first stone. Henri Antoine Revoil gave the keys to the Bishop Jean-Louis Robert on November 30, 1893.
Musee Cantini #8
Located in the heart of Marseille, Musee Cantini is a museum specializing in modern art from the first half of the twentieth century. Its collection features major works of Cubism, Dadaism and Pointillism. It is one of the best French collections of the first half of the 20th century.
Located in a 17th-century mansion, the museum has one of France’s greatest public collections of art from 1900 to 1960. The building was bequeathed to Marseille in 1916 by industrialist Jules Cantini. The museum houses works by Andre Masson, Joan Miro, Henri Matisse and Alfred Lombard. It also contains works from the Gutai movement, a group that was active in the 1950s and 1960s.
The museum has recently reopened after a complete refurbishment. The space now has spacious interiors and plenty of decor. There is an elevator to the upper floor and a gift shop.
There is also an excellent bookshop. A children’s discovery area is located around the permanent collection. For children, access is free. The museum also has a small lounge that is open six days a week. There is also vehicle access for disabled visitors.
The museum is located at 19, rue Grignan in Marseille. It is open from 10 am to 6 pm daily. It is closed on Mondays and on January 1 and 11. There is an indoor parking lot located on Boulevard Paul Peytral.
During the Manifesta 13 Marseille in 1960, the museum was turned into a space. The show blended classic icons with contemporary emerging stars. Some of the works included were Rene Magritte’s Cap des Tempetes and Marc Chagall’s Moonlight Lovers.
FAQs about Marseille, France
What is special about Marseille France?
Marseille, France, is the oldest and second largest city in the country, and it is known for its unique culture, cuisine, and history. The city has been a major port since 600 BC, and it has played a vital role in the development of French and European culture over the centuries. The city is full of historic sites, including the Chateau d’If, the Old Port, and the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde. The cuisine of Marseille is also unique and has been influenced by the city’s long history. Marseille is known for its seafood dishes and bouillabaisse, a traditional fish stew. The city is also known for its olive oil and tapenade, a spread made from olives, capers, and anchovies.
Did you know facts Marseille?
Marseille is the oldest city in France, with its foundation date of 600 BC. It has been a major port for centuries and is still a major hub for trade in the Mediterranean. Marseille is home to one of the oldest universities in the world: the University of Aix-Marseille, founded in 1409. The iconic Notre Dame de la Garde basilica, located on the hill of the same name, is one of the most visited landmarks in the city. It is said to have been built to ward off pirates who frequently attacked the city in the past.
What is Marseille famous for food?
Marseille is a city in the south of France that is renowned for its unique and delicious cuisine. The city is especially famous for its bouillabaisse, a hearty fish and seafood stew made with a variety of local fish and shellfish, tomatoes, garlic and herbs. Other local specialties include aioli, a garlic and olive oil sauce served with grilled fish, as well as tian, a ratatouille-like vegetable dish.