Do you consider yourself a true Marseillais? Like a tourist, it’s sometimes interesting to rediscover your city from a new angle. Always on the lookout for original activities, we show you that Marseille still has plenty of surprises to offer! With its dynamism and boundless energy,the Phocaean city continues to amaze us, move us and reveal a multitude of experiences to enjoy. Here are just a few of them.
Table Of Contents
What to visit in Marseille? Must-see and unusual visits
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See Notre-Dame de La Garde Cathedral
Symbol of the city so dear to the hearts of the people of Marseille, the one nicknamed la Bonne Mère deserves to be seen at least once in a lifetime. Firstly, because climbing it on foot is well worth it, and secondly, because once you’ve reached the top you’ll be able to enjoy a dazzling view over the whole of Marseille. And don’t hesitate to visit the cathedral’s interior, it could reveal many secrets.
But also visit the la Major esplanade, sstroll around the Vieux-Port, visit the Mucem, get lost in the Panier, in that of Noailles, take a tour of the Goudes….
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Go to the esplanade de la Major and push open the doors of its cathedral
Also known as Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-Majeure, or “La Major” La Major Cathedral is located in la Joliette. The foundation stone for this Marseilles architectural gem was laid by Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte to plans by Léon Vaudoyer in 1852. It is considered one of the greatest cathedrals built in France since the Middle Ages. In 1906, it was classified as a monument historique..
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Visit MuCEM, Ce haut lieu de l’architecture et du patrimoine
It’s called the MuCEM. Inaugurated to coincide with Marseille-Provence 2013, the Musée des Civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Folk prints, furniture, costumes, jewelry, prints… This Marseille museum attracts visitors for its cutting-edge programming and challenging exhibitions. And for a moment’s pause, enjoy a café in the shade of this museum’s distinctive lacework.
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Let yourself be captivated by the Cosquer cave
Discovered in 1985 by a diver who gave it its name, the Grotte Cosquer is an archaeological wonder located in Marseille’s Parc National des Calanques. Inaccessible to the general public (only experienced divers can gain access),the curious and history buffs can now admire the exact replica of the grotte Cosquer! A museum that won’t leave you indifferent.
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Visit Marseille’s illusion museum for a great family activity
Opened in June 2023 in the lively neighborhood of l’Esplanade J4/ Voûtes de la Major, the Musée de l’illusion seduces young and old alike in Marseilles. A far cry from traditional museum visits, this original venue features over 70 illusions. Funny, hallucinating, marvelous… discover holograms, a bottomless pit, an upside-down room or an infinite room. The ideal activity for the whole family.
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Go to point zero, the place where all altitudes in France are calculated
There is indeed one thing in common between the Mont-Blanc, the Eiffel Tower and the Millau Viaduct… What is it? Their altitude was calculated in relation to a tide gauge installed on Marseille’s Corniche. Incidentally, it’s in relation to this same tide gauge that all heights in France are measured.
Point zero of altitude, it is thanks to it that it has been defined that Mont-Blanc measures 4,810 meters, that the Eiffel Tower is 324 meters tall, or that la Bonne Mère rises to 162 meters. What’s more, as Switzerland has no coastline, it uses the Marseille tide gauge for its own references…
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Take a tour of France’s oldest hardware store
Direction to the district of Noailles, so aptly nicknamed the “belly of Marseille”. It was here – at number 4 rue des Récolettes to be precise – that the Maison Empereur was established in 1827. Still open almost 200 years later, it richly deserves the title of the oldest hardware store in France.
And don’t let its advanced age fool you. Hardware, gardening, gunsmithing, cutlery but also drugstore and café… With over a thousand references, it still has many treasures worth the trip.
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Getting a change of scene in one of the Phocéenne city’s Buddhist pagodas
pagodas are Places of Buddhist worship that house relics and the faithful who come to pray there. Renowned for their impressive architecture, the city of Marseille boasts no fewer than three pagodas. Havens of peace and places of escape in the Phocaean city, the Buddhist pagodas of Marseille are the places to discover absolutely.
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Refresh near the Aygalades waterfall
The Cascade des Aygalades is one of Marseille’s most unusual spots. Nestled in the heart of the 15th arrondissement, this 9-meter-high waterfall is located on the Château Falque property. Back in the day, the site was reserved for the Marseille bourgeoisie of the 19th century. In the 1940s, the property was demolished for the construction of the A7 freeway.
These works damaged access to the stream, and the waterfall was forgotten and neglected for a time. Yet since 2016, artists and the cité des arts de la ruehave been hard at work, making it possible to rehabilitate and preserve the Aygalades. So, every 1st Sunday of the month you can get free access to entertainment and other food truck!
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Crossing Marseille’s longest street
It’s said that you need to take 10,000 steps a day to be in good health. To reach your goal, we suggest you walk the Rue Paradis, which alone is 3,400 meters long. The longest street in Marseille, it crosses no less than 4 arrondissements. So get your sneakers on, and if along the way someone tells you that the longest street in Marseille is the rue Saint-Pierre, you’ll give them read this article from us.
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The Notre-Dame-du-Mont church where Frédéric Chopin played
You don’t have to be a believer to visit a place of worship. Passers-by and onlookers alike can stop in for a quiet moment. The church of Notre-Dame-du-Mont is also worth a visit for two reasons. Firstly, it gave its name to this much-loved district. Secondly, the church is a vestige of Marseille’s history. The virtuoso composer and pianist Frédéric Chopin came to play here on April 24, 1839 for the funeral of a friend of his. A must-know anecdote for fans of music and Marseille.
Marseille’s neighborhoods to stroll
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Wandering around the Panier district
Le Panier is not only Marseille’s oldest district, it’s also its most authentic, poetic and popular. Overlooking the Vieux-Port and the rest of the city, you’ll fall under the spell of its narrow streets, colorful shutters and typical Mediterranean-scented boutiques.
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Discover all the great addresses in the Noailles district
Located in Marseille’s 1st arrondissement, the Noailles district is one of the liveliest in the city. Close to the Old Port and the Canebière, this part of downtown lives to the rhythm of the many stores (some of them very old) that give it its dynamism. To help you find your way around this lively district, Marseille Secrète has even concocted a article with its good addresses.
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Walking around the Old Port
It’s inseparable from the Phocaean city. It has even given rise to the legend of the sardine that clogged the Port of Marseille. Here you’ll find entertainment, shops, cafés and restaurants with views of the boats… As touristy as it is authentic, this Marseilles neighborhood is a must-see for locals and transients alike..
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Wander around Notre-Dame-du-Mont
It’s been said of the quartier Notre-Dame-du-Mont that it’s a village within the city, that it’s bohemian or even colorful. One thing’s for sure, this quartier marseillais tends to be a unanimous favorite. While it takes its name from the church there, Notre-Dame-du-Mont is rich in good places to eat, go out and marvel. Marseille Secrète shares with you the places to try in this neighborhood of Marseille’s 6th arrondissement.
Where to eat in Marseille? Must-try specialties and other original addresses
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Eating a half-and-half pizza
Thick or extra-thin dough? With or without pineapple? If for some, this is the kind of dilemma they face when ordering their pizzas, we’d rather ask you a real question: half-and-half pizza or half-and-half pizza? Half cheese, half anchovies, that’s how you eat Marseilles pizza. At Etienne’s, La Bonne Mère or Angèle’s, all you have to do is choose.
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Typical culinary specialties of Marseille and its region
Dreaming of a good bouillabaisse? Marseille Secrète has lovingly concocted a ranking of the best restaurants where to enjoy this treasure of Marseille’s gastronomy. Would you rather try the pieds-paquets, the genuine aïoli provençal, the panisses or the chichis frégis? Here’s our best addresses.
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Grab your eyes and stomach in a restaurant with a sea view
Having seaside restaurants close to home is an indisputable luxury. For a romantic dinner at admire the sunset, a relaxing lunch facing the Mediterranean, or simply for a change of scenery, Marseille Secrète invites you to discover addresses where the sea is within reach of your plate. The Tuba Club, the Bistrot Plage or Les Tamaris… Here’s our complete list of seaside restaurants in the Phocaean city.
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Chocolates in the shape of pétanque balls from Chocolaterie Hubert
In this chocolaterie, you can buy real chocolate pétanque balls, created from authentic steel balls, thanks to a mold that’s truer than life, you could be mistaken for one! At Maison Hubert the sport national marseillais is up for grabs with its boules, its cochonnet, its ruler and its Fanny.
What to do in Marseille? Outings, activities and unusual addresses in Marseille
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Give yourself a musical evening with Candlelight
Between the sublime places Marseille has to offer, the thousands of candles that dress up the evening and the exceptional musicians, more than a concert, Candlelight is a sensory experience. Let yourself be carried away by the magic of live music and discover your favorite pieces in classic format.
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Drink coffee, eat cake and buy flowers at La Butinerie
This is a little haven of peace – a stone’s throw from the hustle and bustle of Marseille’s Vieux-Port – where pretty plants and gourmet treats to munch on sit side by side. More than a café-florist, la Butinerie is a place to meet, exchange and learn about values. As well as bouquets of flowers to buy and gourmandises to devour, throughout the year you can attend various courses and workshops.
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Knitting a sweater in the Fil en trop’
knitting café.
The trend for DIY (Do it yourself) cafés has been sweeping the Phocaean city for some time now. The proof is in this charming café opened in 2020 on rue d’Aubagne. Le Fil en Trop’, it’s the ideal place to meet up and knit over a good cup of tea, to chill out and get started on a new project. Chloé will know how to give you the best advice… and the best cookies!