✈️ TLV to Marseille (MRS)
France
Marseille
CityMRS
IATA2885.8 km
Distance4h
Flight TimeCoordinates: 43.43927, 5.22142
Airlines:
About Marseille
Weather in Marseille
Understand
With 1.6 million people in its urban area (2019), Marseille ( Provençal : Marselha ) is the second most populated city of France (and third urban area) the biggest Mediterranean port and the economic center of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. In 2013 the city (with its region) was the European Capital of Culture, a large series of cultural events took place, and several new infrastructures were inaugurated. Marseille has a complex history. It was founded by the Phoceans (from the Greek city of Phocea ) in 600 BC and is one of the oldest cities in Europe. The town is a far cry from the Cézanne paintings and Provençal clichés of sleepy villages, "pétanque" players and Marcel Pagnol novels. With around one million inhabitants, Marseille is the second largest city in France in terms of population and the largest in terms of area. Its population is a real melting pot of different cultures. It is also said that there are more Comorian people in Marseille than in Comoros! Indeed, the people of Marseille have varying ethnic backgrounds, with a lot of Italians and Spaniards having immigrated to the area after the Second World War. For people not afraid to discover a real place with real people, Marseille is the place. From colourful markets (like Noailles market) that will make you feel like you are in Africa, to the Calanques (a natural area of big cliffs falling into the sea - Calanque means fjord), from the Panier area (the oldest place of the town and historically the place where newcomers installed) to the Vieux-Port (old harbor) and the Corniche (a road along the sea) Marseille has definitely a lot to offer. Forget the Canebière, forget the "savon de Marseille" (Marseille soap), forget the clichés, and just have a ride from l'Estaque to Les Goudes . You will not forget it. 43.296035 5.376107 1 Office de Tourisme et des Congrès de Marseille ( Main Tourist Office ), 11, la Canebière , ☏ +33 826 500 500 , information@marseille-tourisme.com . M-Sa 09:00 - 07:00, Su and holidays 10:00 - 05:00 . ( updated May 2015 )
Climate
The city experiences a Mediterranean climate with cool winters and hot summers. Winters are cooler and windier than in other areas of the French Riviera, but also sunnier (sunshine hours are among the highest in Europe). Spring, on the other hand, features a much faster warm-up than in nearby Nice . Autumn experiences variable temperatures and is generally the cloudiest season of the year. Summers are hot and dry, but the sea breeze moderates the heat and makes it more comfortable.
See
43.29472 5.37083 1 Vieux Port ( old harbour ) ( Vieux-Port M1 ). Watching fishermen selling their stock by auction is a must. Arriving into Marseille in the Vieux-Port on a summer evening is something you will never forget. You can watch this show by going to Frioul islands or Chateau d'If and going back late in the afternoon. There is also a nice view of the harbour from the Palais du Pharo (Pharo Palace). The famous Canebière avenue goes straight down the harbour. However the Canebière is not that interesting despite its reputation. ( updated May 2015 ) 43.284028 5.371111 2 Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde , Rue Fort du Sanctuaire ( Bus #60 goes from the Vieux Port to N-D de La Garde. Free Parking at the entrance of the church. ). 07:00 - 18:15 in winter, 07:00 - 19:15 in summer . The big church which overlooks the city. Old fishermen used to have their boats blessed in this church. You can still see many boat models hanging around in the church. From there it is one of the nicest view of the city. You can use the tourist train from the Vieux Port to reach the church - you can get off the train, look around and board a later train back to the port. ( updated Mar 2018 ) 43.290278 5.365556 3 Abbey of Saint Victor , 3 Rue de l'Abbaye . ( updated Mar 2023 ) 43.29611 5.37 4 L'Hotel de Ville . Marseille City Hall ( updated May 2015 ) 43.29806 5.36778 5 Le Panier ( Marseille’s old town ) ( the old town can be easily accessed from the Vieux Port. It is not recommended to drive there ). Le Panier (which means basket in French) is the historical centre of the city. This district is characterized by many narrow and steep streets. The tourist office organises a guided tour in English of the Old town every Saturday at 14:00. You can begin your tour from the Vieux-Port and finish at the Mucem or vice versa. A recommended trail of this district is also proposed by the tourist office . ( updated Mar 2018 ) 43.299444 5.364722 6 Marseille Cathedral ( Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-Majeure de Marseille or Cathédrale de la Major ), Place de la Major ( walk from the Mucem or take the less frequent bus 82 or 49 (stop at La Major ) ). 10:00 -19:00 . A Byzantine-Roman cathedral at the western side of Le Panier quarter. ( updated Mar 2018 ) 43.300205 5.367774 7 La Vieille Charité , 2 Rue de la Charité ( at the Northern side of Le Panier quarter. Jules Guesde M2 ). is a wonderful old monument, a former charitable housing for poor, now hosting museums and exhibitions. ( updated Mar 2023 ) 43.298733 5.376358 8 Cours Belsunce . ( updated May 2015 ) 43.2859 5.38372 9 Place Castellane ( Castellane M1 M2 T3 ). With a grand fountain/column/sculpture in the center, with excellent cinemas and cafés surrounding. There is another place called La Castellane: it is a poor suburb of Marseille where famous footballer Zinedine Zidane was born. ( updated May 2015 ) 43.294 5.38302 10 Cours Julien ( Notre-Dame du Mont M2 ). A hangout area with bookstores, cafés, fountains, and a playground for the small ones. It is a trendy area of Marseille. ( updated May 2015 ) 43.295 5.3865 11 Place Jean Jaurès . La Plaine is the local name for Place Jean Jaurès close to Cours Julien. Every Thursday and Saturday morning the Plaine market is the place to shop. If you are there early enough you can make very good deals, even if what you'll find there is sometimes "tombé du camion" (fallen off the truck) as one says in Marseille. ( updated May 2015 ) 43.295137 5.379646 12 Noailles quarter ( Noailles M2 Noailles T1 ). Lined with Arabic and Indo-Chinese shops some of the streets could be part of a bazzaar in Algeria. A fascinating area. ( updated Jul 2023 ) 43.3043 5.3945 13 Palais Longchamp ( Cinq Avenues Longchamp M1 ; Longchamp T2 ). It houses the city's Musée des Beaux-Arts and Natural History Museum. The surrounding park (the Parc Longchamp) is listed by the French Ministry of Culture as one of the Notable Gardens of France. The Boulevard Longchamp connects it with the city centre. ( updated May 2015 ) 43.29472 5.3625 14 Fort Saint-Jean , Parvis Saint Laurent ( Walk West on the Northern quay of the Old Port until you hit the Fort ). Open until 19:00 . Fort Saint-Jean is a fortification at the North-Western end of the Old Port, built in 1660 by Louis XIV. The fort also hosts the Museum "Musée des Civilisations de l'Europe et de la Méditerranée", but the fortification itself is accessible to the public free of cost, and worth a visit. You can walk through the old fortifications, stroll through a small park, enjoy the view on the Old Port or on the sea, or walk over the free-hanging bridges to the museum or the Church Saint-Laurent. The Fort also offers a 10-min video show about the history of Marseille and the Fort. free entrance . ( updated Sep 2015 ) 43.28538 5.350932 15 Vallon des Auffes ( Bus 83, Stop at Vallon des Auffes and take the stairs. ). Small and out of time traditional fishing port, just near the city centre. ( updated Mar 2018 ) 43.25944 5.38028 16 Parc Borély ( Borely park ). A large and great park containing Château Borély, 300 meters from the sea. After a siesta in the park go have a drink at Escale Borely (a place with numerous restaurants and bars on the beach) to see the sunset. 43.296937 5.361139 17 Musée des Civilisations de l'Europe et de la Méditerranée ( Mucem ) ( Bus #82, 82s, 60, 49. Vieux-Port M1 or Joliette M2 T2 T3 plus 10 mins walk ). The first French national museum outside of Paris. It has large permanent and temporary exhibitions. Its architecture mixes a very contemporary structure (a dark box) with an old castle, with footbridges linking the two parts of the museum. ( updated May 2015 ) 43.304649 5.393895 18 Musée des beaux-arts de Marseille , Palais Longchamp, Aile gauche ( Cinq Avenues Longchamp M1 ; Longchamp T2 ), musee-beauxarts@marseille.fr . Tu-Su 08:00-18:00, M closed . The painting collection includes works of the French, Italian, Spanish and Northern (Flanders and Holland) schools. Permanent collection free . ( updated Oct 2022 ) 43.303917 5.394528 19 Natural History Museum ( Muséum d’histoire naturelle de Marseille ), Palais Longchamp (aile droite), Boulevard Jardin Zoologique ( same building as above. ). ( updated Mar 2023 ) 43.292208 5.378202 20 Musée Cantini , 19 Rue Grignan ( Rome Davso T3 Estrangin M1 ), ☏ +33 4 13 94 83 30 , musee-cantini@marseille.fr . Tu-Su 09:00-18:00 . Museum focusing on modern art from the late 19th century until the mid-late 20th century. ( updated Oct 2022 ) 43.251005 5.390748 21 Museum of Contemporary Art [MAC] ( Musee d'art contemporain ), 69 Av. d'Haifa ( bus #23 & #45 from Rond-Point du Prado M2 ), ☏ +33 4 13 94 83 49 , macpublics@marseille.fr . Tu-Su 09:00-18:00 . Later works from the Cantini collection. Situated in southern suburbs but easily reached by Metro then bus. Now reopened after a major refurbishment. permanent collection free . ( updated Apr 2023 ) 43.305815 5.367679 22 FRAC Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur , 31 rue Vincent Leblanc ( bus #35, #55 & #82 Jolette M2 T2 T3 ). W-Sa 12:00-19:00, Su 14:00-18:00 . Contemporary art in a building designed by architect Kengo Kuma. Part of a national network . €5 full, €2.50 reduced (-25 +60 students) . ( updated Mar 2023 ) 43.2968 5.36832 23 Musée des Docks Romains , 10 Place Vivaux ( Vieux-Port M1 off Quai du Port ), ☏ +33 4 91 91 24 62 . Built to preserve the archeological finds at the former warehouses of the old harbour from Phoenician and Roman times. (closed summer 23 check before going) ( updated Jun 2023 ) 43.30016 5.367983 24 Archaeological Museum ( Musée d'Archéologie méditerranéenne ), Centre de la Vieille Charité, 2 Rue de la Charité ( République Dames T2 T3 ), ☏ +33 4 91 14 58 59 , fax : +33 4 91 14 58 76 . Tu-Su 09:00-18:00 . Displays of Egyptian antiquities and classical antiquities. Full €9, reduced €5 . ( updated Oct 2022 ) 43.297778 5.375556 25 Marseille History Museum (MHM) ( Musée d'Histoire de Marseille - (MHM) ), 2 Rue Henri Barbusse ( Vieux-Port M1 Bus #33,34,89,57,48A,35,57,61,21 & 41 ). Tu-Su 09:00-18:00 (closed M) . Discover 26 centuries of history in archaeology, fine arts, everyday objects & architecture. There is a mobile app. Permanent collections: free; Exhibitions circa €6, reduced €3 . ( updated Mar 2023 ) 43.295607 5.362473 26 Deportation Memorial ( Mémorial des déportations ), Avenue Vaudoyer ( Close to the Mucem ). Tu-F 11:00-18:00; Sa Su 09:00-18:00 . Memorial & museum relating to repression & persecution during World War II. Run by the Marseille History Museum (MHM). free . ( updated Mar 2023 ) 43.257357 5.381987 27 Museum of the Decorative Arts, Fashion and Ceramics ( Musée des Arts décoratifs, de la Faïence et de la Mode ), Château Borély, 134 Avenue Clot-Bey ( in Parc Borély; #44 bus from Rond-Point du Prado M2 ), ☏ +33 4 91 55 33 60 , chateau-borely-musee@marseille.fr . Tu-Su 09:00-18:00 . Château Borély and its grounds are pretty impressive before you start with the museum. Often the exhibits are scattered amongst the furniture in the house. free for permanent items . ( updated Mar 2023 ) 43.328185 5.404121 28 Motorcycle Museum ( Musée de la Moto ), 18 rue Jean Marsac Quartier du Merlan ( Bus #32, 38 or Malpassé M1 then bus #38 ), ☏ +33 4 91 55 48 43 . Tu-Sa 09:00-17:00 . Museum in a former flour mill featuring motorcycles from 1885 to the present day. Four levels of bikes. It may look closed but you need to press the button by the gate to gain admission. Permanent collection: free, exhibitions eur6-12 also free for -18 & EU students 18-26 . ( updated Mar 2023 ) 43.248911 5.40471 29 Mazargues War Cemetery , On the way to Luminy ( Ste Trinite B1 ). A war cemetery dedicated to World War I and World War II martyrs from the Allies, especially the Indian and Chinese gunners and runners. A very serene place, it is the perfect place to spend sometime thinking about the people who laid down their lives to give us the freedom we enjoy today. ( updated Jul 2023 ) La Corniche : a walkway and a road by the sea that provides lovely views of the sea, the Chateau d'If to the south, and les Calanques to the east. 43.2612 5.3964 30 Unité d'Habitation ( Bus# B1 ,21j,22 from Rond-Point du Prado M2 ). Designed by Le Corbusier, and one of 17 of his buildings to be listed as a World Heritage Site . The building is called "la maison du fada" (the house of the foolish) by locals. The building contains a shopping street, a church, a children's school and housing. You can access the roof and enjoy the breathtaking view of Marseille between hills and sea (10:00-18:00). There is a bar/restaurant/hotel on the 3rd floor too. The Marseille tourist office offers guided tours. ( updated Jul 2016 )
Do
You can visit the fabulous restaurants and cafes. You can go and do many adventurous things such as diving and hiring boats! The calanques (fjords) between Marseille and La Ciotat are a very popular sports climbing area. And of course, if the weather is fine, you can simply go to the beach! Stade Vélodrome , 3 boulevard Michelet. Watch football in the home of Olympique de Marseille. They play in Ligue 1, the top tier of French football, and often qualify for European tournaments. The stadium, capacity 67,394, is in St Giniez district 2 km south of the city centre, use Metro station Rond-Point du Prado. Buy match tickets online or from the official shop next to the stadium. 43.298726 5.382757 1 Artplexe ( Artplexe Canebière ), 125 la canebière ( cr La Canebière & All Leon Gambetta. Canebière Garibaldi T2 Noailles M2 ). New multi-screen cinema showing some films in VO combined with exhibition spaces and restaurant. ( updated Apr 2023 ) 43.360714 5.330256 2 Cinéma l'Alhambra , 2 Rue du Cinéma ( Bus# 36, 36B from Bougainville M2 ), cinema.alhambra13@orange.fr . Art House Cinema with original 1930s facade out of the city centre. Shows some films in VO (the original language) Adult €6 . ( updated Nov 2022 )
Eat
Unsurprisingly, Marseille's cuisine is focused on fish and seafood. Its two flag-bearing specialities being the famous fish broth " bouillabaisse " and " aïoli ", a garlic sauce served with vegetables and dried cod.
Drink
Lots of new places have opened in Marseille, at night, three main districts are interesting (besides beaches between April and October where people go and spend the night), the Old Port with lots of bars and pubs (particularly on the southern side and on Cours d'Estienne d'Orves, La Plaine/Cours Julien with numerous alternative and underground bars, and La Joliette/J4 with trendy chic new bars and clubs. However La Friche should not be forgotten, particularly during summer when the very large rooftop hosts dj parties for free every Friday and Saturday. For events and concert agenda, see La Nuit Magazine [dead link] or printed paper Ventilo , particularly during summer as lots of music festivals, boat parties (mini-cruises at night with DJs in the Calanques for €20-40), rooftop parties and concerts take places.
Stay safe
For much of its history, and still to this day, Marseille has been seen as a crime-ridden city by a lot of French people, and this reputation is sadly not entirely unwarranted. Nevertheless, tourists will have a great time by taking the basic precautions, and the city center is very safe. As a very broad rule of thumb, any area within a 15/20-minute walk of the Old Port is safe. However, muggings and pickpockets have dramatically increased, so do avoid carrying valuables and watch your surroundings, like in most cities. Most of the northern neighbourhoods ( quartiers nord ), with the very notable exceptions of L'Estaque and Château-Gombert, are among the most dangerous in France outside the Paris area, and should be avoided by tourists. Thankfully, there is no reason for going there. Furthermore, Marseille is one of the few cities in France to still have prevalent Mafias and gangs. The area around Boulevard Michelet teems with prostitutes and should be avoided on soccer nights, as you can meet potentially angry and drunk Olympique de Marseille hooligans. Marseille is one of Europe's premier football cities, and local fans will not take too kindly to those who dare wear a visiting team's jersey, especially Paris Saint-Germain.
Go next
Aix-en-Provence : Easily reached by Cartreize coach or SNCF train. There is a dedicated express coach from St Charles station which takes 30–40 minutes. Cassis : attractive sea resort south-east of Marseille.