Palais Longchamp
One of Marseille's most scenic buildings is the Palais
Longchamp. Built during the Second Empire, it is the grandiose
conclusion of an aqueduct that once brought water from the Durance
to the city. Although the aqueduct is no longer in use, water is
still pumped into the centre of the colonnade connecting the two
palatial wings. Below, a spectacular fountain features an enormous
statue of three muscular women above four bulls wallowing in a pool
from which a cascade drops four or five storeys to ground level.
Marseille had a serious water problem (and attendant cholera
problem) for centuries so this enormous tribute to water is
historically fitting. In the palace's north wing is the Musée des
Beaux-Arts, which displays a vast array of paintings from the 16th
to the 19th centuries. They include works by Corot, Millet, Ingres,
David, and Rubens as well as some 80 sculptures and objets d'art;
particularly interesting is a gallery of Pierre Puget sculptures.
The palace also houses the Natural History Museum, and there is a
small Planetarium in the vast park. It is lovely to wander or
picnic in the gardens and, every year in July, the huge park is the
main venue for Marseille's prestigious Five Continents Jazz
Festival.
Address:
Boulevard Montricher
Palais Longchamp
Georges Seguin
Massif des Calanques
Directly south of Marseille, and to the west of Cassis, is the
wild coastline of the Massif des Calanques. Some of France's most
beautiful and dramatic scenery can be found along this 12 mile
(19km) stretch of coastline; the sea has cut gorges, up to a mile
(2km) deep, into the limestone. Dazzling white limestone cliffs
overhang the sea and attract rock climbers and deep-sea divers from
all over the world. The mountains rise up 1,850 feet (564m) and are
a haven for climbers. Walking tours and boat trips to explore the
area can be organised via the tourist board, and visitors don't
have to be experienced climbers to enjoy walking in the area. Those
taking boat rides to the Calanques from Marseille, should take one
of the longer trips because the scenery only gets more dramatic and
more beautiful, and most people want to spend as much time as
possible exploring. Travellers can also hire private boats, which
is ideal because then one can stop and swim at will. The highlight
of the Calanques is Sormiou, with its beach, seafood eateries and
small harbour. Sormiou is separated from another small but
enchanting settlement at Morgiou by Cap Morgiou, which offers a
panoramic belvedere with splendid views of both the Calanques and
the eastern side of the massif. At Morgiou there are tiny creeks
which are great for swimming.
Massif des Calanques
Nicolas Eynaud
Marseille Beaches
The most popular beach in Marseille, near the city centre, is
the Plage des Catalans. This marks the beginning of Marseille's
corniche which ends at the Plage du Prado, the city's main sand
beach, where the water is remarkably clean. There is a nice walk
along the corniche which takes visitors past the Anse des Auffes, a
picturesque inlet with small fishing boats beached on the rocks,
and then behind the Plage de Prado to the Parc Borély, which has a
boating lake, rose gardens, palm trees and a botanical garden. The
botanical garden is open daily from 8am to 9pm and entrance is
free; a stroll here is a fun addition to promenading along the
Marseille beachfront and a good chance to enjoy some shade. Along
the Malmousque peninsula there are a number of tiny bays and
beaches that are perfect for swimming when the mistral wind is not
exciting the waves too much. The small beaches between La Pointe
Rouge harbour and La Madrague harbour also tend to be clean and
usually slightly less crowded than some of the more touristy
beaches. There should be a beach to delight everyone in Marseille
as there is quite a lot of variety and visitors can enjoy
watersports, sun lounging, and fashionable strolling.
Marseille
Alma Ayon
Château d'If
On the sparsely vegetated island of If is the infamous prison,
Château d'If, which is best known as the penal setting for
Alexandre Dumas' famous book
François I built the fortress here
to defend Marseille and its port in the 16th century, and the site
later housed a state prison which was notorious for incarcerating
enemies of the royalty. The cells are horribly well-preserved;
carvings by Huguenot prisoners can still be seen inside some of
them. On a lighter note, the views back towards Marseille and the
mountains beyond are wonderful to behold and the trip over in a
boat is enjoyable. The ferry to the island will not run if the
weather is bad and opening and closing times can change in
accordance with the ferry schedule.
Address:
Embarcadère Frioul If, 1 Quai de la Fraternité
Chateau d'If
Alphis Tay
Cassis
Cassis is a beautiful resort town just west of Marseille. Hemmed
in by high white cliffs, its modern development has been carefully
limited and it retains much of the charm lost by its more
high-profile neighbours. Built on the side of a hill, the old
village is centred around a shady square where the inhabitants come
to cool off and play 'pétanque' on summer nights. Portside posing
and drinking aside, there's not much to do except sunbathe and look
up at the ruins of the town's medieval castle, built in 1381.
A popular excursion is to take a boat trip to the calanques -
long, narrow, deep, fjord-like inlets that have cut into the
limestone cliffs. Those feeling energetic can take the well-marked
footpath from the Route des Calanques behind the western beach;
it's about a 90-minute walk to the furthest and best calanque, En
Vau, where one can climb down rocks to the shore. Intrepid pine
trees, and sunbathers, manage to find ledges on the chaotic white
cliffs. The water is deep blue and swimming between the vertical
cliffs is an experience not to be missed. A holiday in Cassis is
peaceful and sun-drenched and the natural surroundings are truly
spectacular.
Address:
25 km (15.5 miles) from Marseille
Cassis
Gerard Colombat
Marseille has a Mediterranean climate, meaning hot, dry summers
and cool, humid winters. Winter weather is affected by the cold
Mistral winds from the Rhone Valley, with temperatures averaging
around 54°F (12°C) during the day and 39°F (4°C) at night from
December to February. Conditions warm to around 63°F (17°C) by
mid-May. Summers are usually warm and pleasant, with peak
temperatures in July and August ranging from 75°F (24°C) up to as
high as 84°F (29°C). The average rainfall is low, and though winter
is the wettest part of the year there are only around five days of
rain per month during this period. The best time to visit Marseille
is between May and October.
Marseille Provence Airport
Location: The airport is located 16 miles (25km) north of Marseille
and 17 miles (28km) south of Aix-en-Provence.
Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 from last Sunday in March to last
Sunday in October).
Getting to the city:
Shuttle buses leave the airport regularly for Marseille
Saint-Charles bus and railway station, where connections can be
made to other destinations. Buses also connect the airport with
Vitrolles-aéroport Marseille Provence train station and
Aix-en-Provence TGV railway station.
Car Rental:
Avis, Budget, Europcar and Sixt are represented at the
airport.
Airport Taxis:
Metered taxis are avaliable outside the airport.
Facilities:
Facilities include a variety of retail outlets and duty-free
shops; bars, restaurants and cafes, rooms and offices for business,
banks, ATMs and bureaux de change.
Parking
Parking at Marseille Provence Airport varies in cost depending
on the choice of parking lot and length of stay. Lots that are
closest to the Halls are more expensive.
The main way to get around in Marseille is via the extensive
public transport system, which include bus, metro and tram services
around all parts of the city centre and the suburbs. Tickets are
transferable across all three modes of transport and can be bought
from metros or all shops displaying the official 'RTM' signage.
Most buses run until 9pm, with a few continuing until about
12.30am. Travel after dark is best accomplished in taxis, which can
be found at most large hotels or on the street. Driving in
Marseille is not recommended, as the city centre is full of narrow,
one-way streets and parking is limited.
A city that is sometimes tragically overlooked in a country so
full of popular destinations, Marseille has a lot to offer
tourists. The city is well situated as a base for glorious
excursions along the coast but there are also plenty of things to
see and do in Marseille which is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city.
Perhaps the most famous attraction of Marseille is the imposing
Chateau d'If, the infamous setting for Alexander Dumas's The Count
of Monte Cristo. The island is just off the coast and can be
quickly reached by ferry; the prison is disturbingly
well-preserved. Other attractions in Marseille include the
Basilique de Notre Dame de la Garde, which is a magnificent
cathedral with wonderful views of the city and a richly decorated
interior as impressive as its facade, and the Parc Borely, a lovely
open area with a botanical garden and boating lake. The ornate
Palais Longchamp is also definitely worth a visit. The palace now
houses the Musee des Beaux Arts and the Natural History Museum and
it also features an enormous fountain and extensive grounds which
are a joy to explore.
One of the most popular attractions in Marseille is the
beachfront. The city has some lovely beaches, including the popular
Plage des Catalans near the city centre. The corniche, or
promenade, makes for a nice stroll as it winds past several beaches
and inlets. Just south of Marseille are the famous Massif des
Calanques, deep limestone fjords which make for a dramatic and
spectacularly beautiful coastline that attracts climbers, divers
and hikers. Visitors can take a boat cruise out from Marseille to
explore the area and are sure to find some exceptional swimming
spots. The picturesque resort town of Cassis, hemmed in by white
cliffs, is also a popular excursion from Marseille.