The Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations or Mucem is a remarkable feature of Marseille's cultural scene. It boasts a unique harbor-side location on the Mediterranean Sea, adjacent to the Fort Saint-Jean and J4 port terminal. Celebrated architect Rudy Ricciotti is the mastermind behind its unique architecture and futuristic design. The permanent exhibition is dedicated to the rich culture and heritage of the Mediterranean basin over the centuries. The construction also features an underground auditorium and a rooftop restaurant. However, the one thing to remember while visiting the museum is that opening times vary according to seasons.
Located on the island of If, one mile off the shore of Marseille in the Mediterranean Sea, the Chateau d'If is one of the most scenic fortresses in France. The château was built between the years 1524 and 1531 at the behest of Francis I to ward off enemies that intended to attack the city from the sea. The building comprises a 3-story square structure guarded by three towers with gun embrasures. Later on, in the 19th Century, the Château d'If was used as a prison and was once notoriously renowned as a dumping place for political and religious prisoners. The Château d'If was made famous by the Alexandre Dumas novel The Count of Monte Cristo, in which the protagonist makes a daring escape from the prison to the shore of Marseille. Today, Château d'If is open to the public and is accessible via boats launched from Marseille.
It was 1975 and in spite of having a long coastline, Marseille wasn't well equipped as far as beach facility and safety was concerned. The Plages du Prado was thus created, combining park and beach facilities all along the coast. Calling this area the "poor man's riviera" would be selling it short. The beaches are a lot less crowded, a lot less pretentious and a lot more beautiful, and the water is ideal for surfing, especially in autumn and winter. Dining at any of the restaurants along l'Escale Borély will round up the perfect day at the beach.
Established in 1815 through the impetus of the Marquis de Montgrand, then mayor of Marseilles, the Natural History Museum of Marseille assembles some of the most invaluable examples of our natural heritage. Housed in the right wing of Palais Longchamp, a magnificent palace built in the Second Empire, the museum's collections earned it, in 1967, a place among the top nine museums in France. Today, with more than 200,000 species classified according to similarities of origin, structure etc., the museum seeks to preserve the memory of our rich biodiversity.
It takes about an hour starting from Callelongue to hike to the sand and pebble beach of the Calanque de Marseilleveyre. The path that leads along the sea, overlooking the islands of Jarre, Riou Calsaigne and Mayor do not have any trees or shade. Among a few cabanas, once you arrive on the small beach (where swimming is possible), there is a café/restaurant open all year that receives its supplies by sea. Callelongue is the starting point of many trails the people of Marseille often hike on sunny Sundays so it is sometimes difficult to park there.
This astonishing and beautiful mountain rises up outside the village of Tholonet when one goes towards the Côte d'Azur. Most famously it appears in the paintings of Cézanne. The mountain dominates the Aix countryside, a great limestone barrier that refracts the light of the setting sun and perfumes the air with the scents from its wild scrubland and whose way-marked footpaths attract walkers from all over the world who come to marvel at the views over the Rhône and the Esterel.
Although the original building no longer stands, this abbey in Marseilles dates its foundation back to 1225. It played an important role in the past and hence is a popular tourist destination especially among historians. Today, Couvent Dominicain de Marseilles is still thriving and portions of the buildings can be visited by the general public.
Eglise de la Trinité-La Pelud, consecrated in 1829, is a former convent. Today it serves the Catholic community of Marseille, and occasionally stages classical and choral concerts.
Built in patronage of Saint Marguerite, the Eglise Sainte-Marguerite is truly spectacular. Offering religious services this magnificent building is part of the Southern parish. They also have concerts here. So for a rich spiritual feeling come down to this magnificent church.
This vast area of parkland is situated 24km east of Marseilles between the village of Gémenos and Mount Sainte-Baume, at the base of a small wooded valley. It offers many lovely walks. Take one of its many paths through crowds of beech, ash, spruce and maple trees and encounter the cool, refreshing atmosphere around the waterfall. After about twenty minutes walking, you'll come across an abbey dating back to the 12th century, which was home to a community of Cistercian monks. Concerts of religious music are now held here throughout the summer, and they're free!
"I was born in the village of Aubagne, beneath the Garlaban mountain scattered with goats, at the time of the last goatherds. Garlaban, a towering mass of blue-grey rock that stands on the edge of Plan d'Aigle, an immense rocky plateau dominating the green valley of the Huveanne." These are the opening lines of La Gloire de mon Père (My Father's Glory), the charming novel by writer/film-maker Marcel Pagnol, which epitomises the spirit of this rocky fortress, soaring over the town of Aubagne at an altitude of 600m. Indeed, this designated nature reserve has provided the scenic backdrop to several of Pagnol's films; nature's own film set that can still be visited today. Pathways swathed in the aromas of rosemary and thyme criss-cross the mountain slopes on the eastern outskirts of Marseilles. The Tourist Information Office in Aubagne organises themed walks which give you the chance to uncover and discover this everlasting heritage.
This astonishing and beautiful mountain rises up outside the village of Tholonet when one goes towards the Côte d'Azur. Most famously it appears in the paintings of Cézanne. The mountain dominates the Aix countryside, a great limestone barrier that refracts the light of the setting sun and perfumes the air with the scents from its wild scrubland and whose way-marked footpaths attract walkers from all over the world who come to marvel at the views over the Rhône and the Esterel.