Marseille Magic: The Ultimate 5-Day Family Adventure
A taste of French culture and family fun await in Marseille!
19 July 2023
Raymonde Gagnon
France Travel Writer
Marseille, France, offers a perfect destination for a family-friendly trip with its vibrant culture, magnificent architecture, and stunning coastal views. Spend a day exploring the Old Port, where you can take a boat ride to the nearby islands or simply enjoy the bustling atmosphere and delicious seafood. Delight the kids with a visit to the Parc Borély, a beautiful park with a lake, gardens, playgrounds, and even a mini-farm, ensuring endless fun and relaxation for the whole family.
Travel plan
Getting latest place information

- Stay at the cozy Hotel Le Cesar 3.6
10 photos
Hôtel Restaurant LE CESAR
3.6
(143)
Av. Georges Pompidou, 13380 Plan-de-Cuques, France
Lodging,Restaurant
Simple hotel with unfussy accommodation, plus a low-key restaurant, an outdoor pool & free Wi-Fi.
lecesar.fr
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, where every room is inspired by a famous French poet.
- Wander through the vibrant streets of Le Panier
, the oldest neighborhood in Marseille, filled with colorful buildings and quaint boutiques.
- Savor the iconic bouillabaisse at Chez Fonfon 4.1
10 photos
Chez Fonfon
4.1
(2400)
•
$$$
140 Rue du Vallon des Auffes, 13007 Marseille, France
Store,Restaurant
Long-standing venue by the port, known for bouillabaisse broth & Mediterranean fish dishes.
chez-fonfon.com
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, a hidden gem serving up the best traditional fish stew in town.
- Climb up the awe-inspiring Notre-Dame de la Garde 4.7
10 photos
Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde
4.7
(33587)
Rue Fort du Sanctuaire, 13006 Marseille, France
Tourist attraction,Church
Grand basilica at the city's highest point, crowned by golden statue of the Virgin Mary by Lequesne.
notredamedelagarde.com
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for breathtaking panoramic views of the city and its sparkling Mediterranean coastline.
- Indulge your sweet tooth at La Maison du Pastis 4.5
10 photos
La Maison Du Pastis
4.5
(450)
108 Quai du Port, 13002 Marseille, France
Liquor store,Point of interest
Bright shop offering more than 75 types of pastis & absinthe, plus accessories & tastings.
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, a heaven for licorice lovers where you can sample exotic flavors from all over France.
- Explore the magnificent Château d'If 4.6
10 photos
Château d'If
4.6
(138)
Château d'If, 13007 Marseille, France
Natural feature,Establishment
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, the infamous island fortress from Alexandre Dumas' "The Count of Monte Cristo."
- Venture into the mysterious underground world of the Marseille Catacombs 4.6
10 photos
Abbaye Saint-Victor
4.6
(2892)
Pl. Saint-Victor, 13007 Marseille, France
Tourist attraction,Church
Fortified abbey founded by St. Cassian & built over the 5th-century crypt housing his sarcophagus.
saint-victor.net
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, where you'll find ancient burial chambers and a hauntingly beautiful ossuary.
- Discover the fascinating history of Marseille at the Musée d'Histoire de Marseille 4.4
10 photos
Marseille History Museum
4.4
(1258)
2 Rue Henri Barbusse, 13001 Marseille, France
Museum,Point of interest
Educational museum with Roman ruins leading visitors through the city's 2,600-year history.
musees.marseille.fr
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, housed in an impressive 17th-century building.
- Take a leisurely stroll along the picturesque Vieux Port 4.5
10 photos
Old Port of Marseille
4.5
(4421)
Old Port of Marseille, France
Natural feature,Establishment
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, bustling with fishmongers, street performers, and charming cafes.
- Dine at Le Grain de Sel 4.6
, a charming family-run restaurant known for its delicious Provençal cuisine and warm atmosphere.
- Relax under the Mediterranean sun at Plage du Prado 4.1
10 photos
Plages du Prado
4.1
(948)
Plages du Prado, 13008 Marseille, France
Natural feature,Establishment
Popular beaches featuring swimming & windsurfing, with nearby restaurants & parks.
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, a golden sandy beach perfect for building sandcastles and taking refreshing dips in the azure waters.
- Embark on a kayaking adventure to explore the stunning Calanques 4.7
10 photos
Massif des Calanques
4.7
(672)
Massif des Calanques, 13009 Marseille, France
Natural feature,Establishment
National park on coastal terrain with unique geological formations & underwater cave inscriptions.
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, a series of dramatic limestone cliffs and hidden coves.
- Visit the iconic MuCEM 4.4
10 photos
Mucem - Museum of Civilizations of Europe and the Mediterranean
4.4
(18556)
1 Esp. J4, 13002 Marseille, France
Museum,Tourist attraction
Landmark sea-facing venue opened in 2013, with exhibitions on Mediterranean history & civilizations.
mucem.org
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, a modern museum dedicated to Mediterranean culture, housed in an architectural masterpiece designed by Rudy Ricciotti.
- Enjoy a seafood feast at Le Miramar 3.7
10 photos
Le Miramar
3.7
(1688)
•
$$$$
12 Quai du Port, 13002 Marseille, France
Restaurant,Food
Longstanding port-side stop known for bouillabaisse & other French & Mediterranean seafood dishes.
lemiramar.fr
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, a traditional brasserie overlooking the Old Port, where you can savor fresh oysters and succulent mussels.
- End the day with a moonlit stroll along the Corniche Kennedy, admiring the shimmering lights of the city and the gentle lapping of the waves.
- Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the Marché de la Charité, a bustling market where you can sample an array of cheeses, olives, and Provencal delicacies.
- Visit the stunning Palais Longchamp 4.5
10 photos
Palais Longchamp
4.5
(13626)
Bd Jard. Zoologique, 13004 Marseille, France
Park,Tourist attraction
Monument from the mid-1800s with a waterfall & reservoir built to bring water to the city.
marseille.fr
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, an architectural masterpiece surrounded by gardens, and home to the Museum of Fine Arts 4.3
10 photos
Musée des Beaux-Arts, Marseille
4.3
(771)
Palais Longchamp Aile gauche, 9 Rue Edouard Stephan, 13004 Marseille, France
Museum,Point of interest
Museum of European art from 1500s to 1800s, including big collection of baroque artist Pierre Puget.
musees.marseille.fr
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and Natural History Museum 4.3
10 photos
Natural History Museum of Marseille
4.3
(1532)
Palais Longchamp, Rue Espérandieu, 13004 Marseille, France
Museum,Point of interest
Palatial, 19th-century museum housing vast botanical, mineralogy & zoology collections.
musees.marseille.fr
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.
- Relish a delightful Provençal lunch at Chez Michel 4.5
10 photos
Restaurant Michel
4.5
(870)
•
$$$$
6 Rue des Catalans, 13007 Marseille, France
Restaurant,Food
Bouillabaisse, bourride soup & grilled fish at a long-standing restaurant facing the beach.
restaurant-michel-13.fr
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, where traditional dishes burst with flavor and local ingredients take center stage.
- Wander through the delightful Parc Borely 4.5
10 photos
Parc Borély
4.5
(11929)
Av. du Parc Borély, 13008 Marseille, France
Park,Tourist attraction
Château estate, now a public park with 18th-century formal gardens & fountains, plus lakeside cafe.
monumentsdemarseille.com
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, a serene green oasis with beautifully manicured gardens and a charming lake.
- Treat your taste buds to heavenly pastries at Pâtisserie Chocolaterie Fabien Berteau 4.5
, where decadent macarons and delicate tarts await.
- Explore the enchanting Le Corbusier's Unité d'Habitation 4.5
10 photos
Unité d'Habitation
4.5
(1942)
280 Bd Michelet, 13008 Marseille, France
Tourist attraction,Point of interest
Colored balconies line this Le Corbusier–designed modernist housing block, with restaurant & shops.
marseille-citeradieuse.org
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, a groundbreaking architectural masterpiece that offers a glimpse into the future.
- Dive into art at the contemporary art museum, Musée Regards de Provence 4.3
10 photos
Musée Regards de Provence
4.3
(866)
Av. Vaudoyer, 13002 Marseille, France
Museum,Tourist attraction
Museum with classic & modern art related to the region, plus a tea room with scenic harbor views.
museeregardsdeprovence.com
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, where you can admire works by renowned local artists.
- Experience the lively ambiance of the bustling Cours Julien, filled with street art, quirky boutiques, and trendy restaurants.
- Dine at Le Petit Nice Passedat 4.3
10 photos
Le Petit Nice Passedat
4.3
(767)
•
$$$$
17 Rue des Braves Anse de Maldormé, 156 Cor Président John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 13007 Marseille, France
Bar,Lodging
Upscale venue offering contemporary rooms & suites, plus a renowned fine-dining restaurant & a bar.
passedat.fr
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, a Michelin-starred restaurant perched on the rocky shoreline, offering innovative Mediterranean cuisine with a modern twist.
- Bid adieu to Marseille with a sunset cruise along the glittering Mediterranean Sea, as the city's iconic landmarks slowly fade into the distance.
Length of stay
Type of trip
How to get there
Plane
The best way to get to Marseille, France by plane is to fly into Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) from major cities across Europe and North Africa. Airlines such as Air France, Ryanair, and EasyJet operate regular flights to Marseille.
Car
Travelers can drive to Marseille by renting a car or driving their own vehicle. Major highways such as the A7 and A55 connect Marseille to Lyon, Nice, and other cities in France. However, traffic in Marseille can be congested, so it's recommended to travel outside of rush hour.
Train
Travelers can take a train to Marseille from major cities across Europe, with the Marseille Saint-Charles train station serving as a major hub. The TGV offers connections to Paris, Lyon, Nice, and other cities in France, while the Eurostar offers connections to London.
Boat
Travelers can also reach Marseille by boat, with the Marseille Cruise Terminal serving as a popular port for cruise ships. Direct ferry services to Marseille are also available from cities such as Algiers, Tunis, and Corsica.
Bus
Taking a bus is a cost-effective way to get to Marseille. Eurolines and Flixbus operate regular services to Marseille from various cities across Europe. The bus station in Marseille is located at Gare routière Saint-Charles.