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Ideas for going out in Marseille during the winter holidays

The winter vacations are just around the corner! Are you looking for ideas for outings during these 15 days? Sporty, unusual or classic, here’s our selection of activities for you and your children. Let us be your guide and discover or rediscover Marseille during the school vacations.

Published on 23 January 2025

Discover or rediscover the city with your family

Guided tours

During the school vacations, the Tourist Office offers guided tours and activities for the whole family. Discover street art in the Cours Julien district, take a fun tour of Le Corbusier’s Cité Radieuse, take a storytelling tour of the legendary Massalia, or play a treasure hunt in the Panier district or at Notre-Dame de la Garde. Do your children prefer to play detective? Come and investigate and find out who’s plotting against the Sun King!
There’s so much to see that it’s well worth the detour!

> Discover all Marseille Tourist Office family tours.

Invader was here

Take your kids on a hunt for Spaces Invaders ! These colorful little mosaics are hidden all over the city! During the summer of 2020, the street artist Invader installed his works throughout the Phocéenne city, and there are almost 97 of them! It’s up to you to find them!

Take to the high seas

On a sunny winter’s day, set sail and discover the Count of Monte Cristo on the island of Château d’If! Just 30 minutes by boat from the Old Port, the Château d’If offers a breathtaking view over the bay of Marseille. During the vacations, discover the island’s mysteries with the whole family! (Beware of the weather! on windy or bad weather days, the boat doesn’t leave the Vieux-Port!)

Find out more about the “if en famille” tour

The must-see Notre-Dame de la Garde

If there’s one thing you’ve got to see in Marseille, it’s our famous Good Mother, Notre-Dame de la Garde, towering high above the city! You can get there by foot (allow a good 20 minutes from the Vieux-Port), by bike (you’ll need good calves) or by bus (N°60), but the ideal way to go with children is undoubtedly by tourist train, which takes you right to the foot of the Basilica from the Vieux-Port!

Book your ticket for the little train

A desire for nature

Discover our educational farms

Open every day during the vacations. Children will learn about the environment, farm animals and the natural world around them. There are several educational farms in Marseille (fermes pédagogiques du Collet des Comtes 12e, du Roy d’Espagne 9e, la Tour des pins 14e etc …).

> All educational farms in Marseille

Take a breath of fresh air in Marseille’s parks and flowerbeds

Fancy a nice winter walk with the family? Marseille is bursting with beautiful nature trails for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for a breathtaking view, a dip in the forest or a stroll along the water’s edge, here are our ideas for walks in and around Marseille that will give you a total change of scenery.

A boat tour of the Calanques

If you’re not keen on walking, or if your children are too small to explore the massif, you can discover the Calanques by boat– weather permitting, of course! There are several possibilities, with regular or private companies, for a partial or complete visit – the choice is yours!

Want to learn

Everything you need to know about the planets

Visit the Planetarium in the garden of the Palais Longchamp.
A different program every day during the school vacations, with tours for the very young and the very young at heart, so they’ll know all about the stars!

Activities in Marseille’s museums

Visits, activities and workshops are planned throughout the school vacations at most of the city’s museums. There are life-size games, art workshops, storytelling tours, creative workshops and interactive activitiesand themed courses. For fans of prehistory, come and plunge into the heart of the Cosquer cave, a real discovery! Marseille’s museums have something for every taste and every age!

> All activities in Marseille museums

For OM fans

Visits to the Orange Vélodrome stadium take place every day during the school vacations, giving you a behind-the-scenes look at this legendary venue, so your children will know all there is to know about their favorite team! And if the calendar allows, come and watch a match! An unforgettable experience!

Learn all the secrets of Marseille soap

Marseille soap is famous the world over. But did you really know how this famous soap is made? During the All Saints’ Day vacations, Marseille’s soap factories are offering free tours, but please note that reservations are required! You’ll find these tours at the Savonnerie du Midi or the Savonnerie du Fer à Cheval. Or, if you prefer, you can visit the Musée du savon, on the Old Port, with the Savonnerie de la Licorne.

The Museum of Illusion

The Musée de l’illusion is stunning! Spanning almost 700 m2, the Musée de l’illusion is an astonishing visual experience for the whole family. Your senses and your perception of reality will be turned upside down! An incredible experience for the whole family.

Want to get moving?

Head to the Bowl de l’escale Borely or the playground at Friche Belle de Mai, and your kids will have a blast! Are they more the “Tarzan” type? Take them on a tree-climbing trip and why not join them in their acrobatics!

Winter is here … so why not try a winter sport like ice skating? Head for the Palais omnisports Marseille Grand-Est to enjoy an ice rink worthy of the Olympic Games! You can even watch a match by Marseille’s ice hockey team, Les Spartiates!

Weather not cooperating?

Don’t panic! Come rain, shine or shine, there’s never a dull moment in Marseille!

Play parks

For younger children, Royal Kid or Magic City are a real release! Children can play in giant games to their heart’s content. Urban Jump and KIP are multi-purpose indoor amusement parks for teenagers, offering indoor go-karting, Lasergame, bowling and giant trampolines.
Discover all indoor amusement parks in Marseille

Escape games

There are plenty of escape games in Marseille, for Harry Potter fans, mystery buffs, movie buffs and older people who want to scare the crap out of themselves! From the most mysterious to the most frightening, your kids and teens will find what they’re looking for! (illucity, time out, panic room, Dark dreams)
All parks and indoor playgrounds in Marseille

For the more adventurous

The climbing walls are not to be outdone! Suitable for all levels (even the youngest), you and your family can enjoy the climbing gyms in Marseille.
All climbing gyms in Marseille

For older climbers

EVA (E.sports Virtual Arena), the ideal activity for your teenagers! A real immersion in a video game. In a 500 m2 space, wearing a helmet, players are transported into virtual worlds and move to the rhythm of the game. Young and old alike are sure to appreciate this new type of activity.

Events not to be missed during the winter vacations

Japan expo

Japan Expo Sud is THE must-attend event for all fans of Japanese culture in Marseille! Get ready for an explosion of color, cosplay and energy in an ultra-festive atmosphere. On the program: incredible guests straight from Japan, creative workshops to try your hand at manga drawing or calligraphy, breathtaking shows, and of course, stands packed with irresistible goodies. Whether you’re an otaku, a gamer or just curious, come and immerse yourself in this magical universe, and leave with your eyes full of memories (and your arms full of finds)!
Find out more about Japan Expo Sud

La voie est libre

The “La Voie est Libre” event returns on Sunday, February 23, 2025, transforming the Corniche Kennedy into a pedestrian zone for a day dedicated to soft mobility and seaside conviviality. Attracting thousands of participants every year, this initiative offers a rich program of free activities, including workshops, sports and musical events, in a festive, family-friendly atmosphere. Supported by the City of Marseille, the day promotes a more environmentally-friendly way of life, and makes the most of the coastline as a place to share and relax.

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