menu





Marseille

port de marseille

9 km from Plan-de-Cuques, 10 km from Allauch, 14 km from Les Pennes-Mirabeau

GPS: Longitude: 5.370000 E - Latitude: 43.296391 N
Altitude: 20 m
Population: 798430

An ancient city charged with history, Marseille is alive with the magic of its past, in the course of which numerous cultures and civilizations have succeeded one another. From its ancient Greek origins, Marseille has evolved into an attractive and modern metropolis where visitors can discover for themselves the old quarters surrounding the harbour, the gardens of the Greek and Roman remains or the green areas of the Palais Longchamp for example. More Mediterranean than Provençal in its feel, Marseille is a truly mystical and beautiful city, offering superb sights, attractive and bustling local markets, and a uniquely international mix of welcoming and warm inhabitants…

église de marseille château de marseille

The gardens of the remains of antique Marseille
Until 1967 Marseille had preserved relatively few traces of her antique past. But that year was discovered one of the most beautiful urban archaeological sites. The excavations lasted until 1974 and revealed the exact dimensions of the city at the time of the Greeks. Numerous ceramics and every day objects were also uncovered.
These remains are situated in a garden close to the Old Port, which is a pleasant place for a stroll.

Notre Dame de la Garde
Dominating Marseille from the top of a hill, the basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde is one of the most potent symbols of the city. It offers the visitor, in addition to its own charm, a unique view point over the region.

The forts of St Jean and St Nicolas
The Old Port has, for a long time, had military buildings. The Fort St Nicolas, built upon the emplacement of the Chapel St Nicolas, is an important work built in 1660 upon orders from Louis XIV, so as to contain Marseille's inhabitants' impulses. But is has never had to be used.

The Hospice of Vieille Charité
Dating from 1650, the Hospice of Vieille Charité is composed of vaulted galleries and of three rows of arcades. The work as a whole is classical and somewhat austere in its outlook. The chapel, with its dome attributed to Pierre Puget, is baroque in its style. Restored, this venue presently plays host to several associations: the Institute of Research of The Mediterranean, a videotheque and a conference hall.

fort saint nicolas marseille arche marseille

Islands of château d'If and of Frioul
Three islands close off the harbour of Marseille. The smallest of these is certainly the most famous: the Chateau d'If. Fortified under Francois I, was further built upon during the XVIth century with the erection of a enceinte, a church and a guardsmen post. The island became a state prison and has hosted numerous famous inmates. It can be visited by taking a shuttle boat from the Old Port.

Provencal market: every day according to the districts, picturesque stalls of fish and shells of the "Vieux-Port". Festivities:principal fairs: fair of Spring at the end of March - fair with garlic and taraïettes in June - fair with let us santons in December and in January. Festivals and animations all the year, in particular the festival of the Candlemas with Saint-Victor in February. Castle-Gombert: celebrates of Saint-Eloi in June; "Théâtre aux Etoiles" at the Palate of Pharo in summer. Spectacles: Opera, ballets of Marseilles, concerts, theatre (Cultural activity of south-east)…