Whether you’re just a tourist or a lover of the city, there are always wonderful walks to take in Marseille. And not just in the must-see neighborhoods like Notre-Dame-du-Mont or Noailles. However, city strolls sometimes need to give way to a little greenery! For this reason, we’ve decided to share a selection of our favorite parks and gardens in Marseille where you can go for a stroll.
The 26th Centenary Park
With its vast green spaces, who would have thought this park is located on the site of the former Prado train station? Built to celebrate Marseille’s 2,600-year history, the park features 26 redwoods as its true symbols. It features playgrounds, bocce courts, and themed gardens. Oriental, Provençal, African, and Asian—they take us on a journey around the world of gardens. Ideal for admiring beautiful sunsets, its observation deck also offers a magnificent view of Marseille.
The Parc des Bruyères
Located on the edge of the urban area, this Marseille park offers a true escape from the city. It spans both sides of the Vallon de l’Evêque and connects the eastern neighborhoods with the Calanques. Walking here is like hiking up to an altitude of 570 meters! In addition to its hiking trails, Parc des Bruyères offers a true cultural stroll. From lime kilns to terraced olive groves and old sheepfolds, the path is dotted with ancient ruins.
The Magalone Garden
This magnificent, well-hidden garden is hard to spot in the middle of Boulevard Michelet. A true haven of peace, it envelops visitors, shielding them from the stress and hustle and bustle of the surrounding area. The Jardin de la Magalone is the park of a famous, typical Provençal country house built in 1810 and now listed as a historic monument. If you’re looking for a peaceful, quiet spot, the Jardin de la Magalone is the place for you.
Saint-Joseph Hill Park
This massive park in Marseille, where you can walk your dog, is also a dream spot for athletes, with dedicated facilities and trails. The park is overlooked by the famous chapel that gave it its name and offers an incredible, breathtaking panoramic view. And for lovers of cute animals, you might just be lucky enough to spot some squirrels there!
Borély Park
Parc Borély is certainly the most popular green space in Marseille. Spanning 17 hectares, the park features an 18th-century country house set amidst a classic French-style landscaped garden. It’s a favorite spot for Sunday joggers and strollers thanks to its long paths and rose gardens. A magnificent body of water makes it the ideal spot to observe the various bird species on the lake and to find a cool spot during the hottest days.
The Palais Longchamp Park
Another popular park in Marseille, Parc Longchamp is a favorite spot for walkers. Ideal for picnics and strolls, it is perfectly landscaped without losing its charm. Designed as a setting for the palace, the gardens offer a variety of landscapes. French-style, zoological, and botanical gardens coexist, creating a unique space right in the heart of the city. During a stroll, you’ll also come acrossthe Marseille Observatory, where you can get closer to the stars.
The Château de la Buzine Park
It’s impossible to think of Château de La Buzine without its lush green setting. A park spanning over four hectares, bordered by hills, home to Aleppo pines, holm oaks, rosemary, rockroses… All the varieties and scents of the Mediterranean are there to welcome you. Also known as the Park of the 7 Hills, the site owes its fame to Marcel Pagnol. This wild area, largely untouched by human hands, offers peace and serenity less than 40 minutes from Marseille.
Nestled in the Vauban neighborhood, the Parc des Sœurs Franciscaines is certainly one of the most pleasant green spaces in the 6th arrondissement. Renovated in 2024, this nearly 11,000-square-meter garden blends nature, heritage, and places to relax. It features a beautiful pine grove, shaded paths, community gardens, playgrounds for children, and even the Saint-Michel Chapel, discreetly tucked away in the heart of the grounds. Formerly owned by the nuns who settled here in 1885, the park has retained the peaceful spirit of the place while becoming a true haven of coolness for the neighborhood’s residents.
