Once the main port connecting France to its North African possessions, Marseille has long been a melting pot of cultures. The days of colonial rule have come and gone, but the city remains as vibrant and multicultural as ever. These 5 attractions represent the very best of old and new Marseille, based on recent reviews in major travel guides, magazines, and other respected publications.
Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde
Perched on the highest natural point in Marseille, the Neo-Byzantine church of Notre-Dame de la Garde numbers among the most prominent and important landmarks in the city. This mid-19th century church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the protectress of sailors and fisherman, and of the entire city. The vaulted crypt features an elegant statue of the Virgin supporting the Christ Child with one hand and proffering a bouquet of flowers with the other. The upper sanctuary is covered with soaring domes decorated with glittering mosaics. Don’t miss the bell tower, which offers panoramic views of the city!
Old Port
Old Port
Flanked by the Panier (Old Town) on one side and Notre-Dame de la Garde on the other, the picturesque Old Port served as the commercial center of Marseille for over two millennia. The main commercial docks have since been moved, but the port remains a thriving harbor for fishing and pleasure boats alike. Visit the artisanal shops selling Marseille soap, sample locally-made pastis, or simply watch the world go by at the many restaurants, cafés, and bars lining the basin. Early birds can enjoy the vast array of fish on offer at the local fish market.
Mucem
Devoted to the great civilizations of the Mediterranean, this new museum occupies three distinct buildings: the historic Fort Saint-Jean, the ultra-modern J4, and the Center for Conservation and Resources, which is located in the Belle de Mai area of the city, away from the other two sites. On offer are major exhibitions, public lectures, and films, as well as a pleasant café with unrivaled views of the sea.
Abbaye Saint-Victor
The abbey of Saint-Victor is one of the oldest monuments in Marseille. Dating primarily to the 12th century, the fortified complex reportedly marks the burial site of Victor of Marseille, a Roman soldier martyred in late antiquity for denouncing idolatry. The massive stone structure houses the relics of Victor, as well as those of other local saints. Of particularly note is the collection of Paleochristian sarcophagi in the crypt and the ornate 17th-century organ in the upper church.
The Château d’If
Located less than a mile offshore in the Bay of Marseille, the brooding Château d’If is just a 20-minute ferry ride from the Old Port. This former prison and walled fortress was once home to France’s most reviled criminals, including enemies of the state and religious offenders. It rose to fame in the mid-19th century, when Alexandre Dumas published his renowned novel, The Count of Monte Cristo. The fort preserves the fictional count’s prison cell to this day.