Ideas for going out in Marseille during the winter holidays

The winter holidays are here! Are you looking for ideas for outings during these two weeks? Whether it’s sporty, unusual or classic, here is our selection of activities for you and your children. Let us guide you and discover Marseille during these winter holidays.

Published on 5 February 2024

Discover or rediscover the city with the family

Guided tours

Throughout the school holidays, the Tourist Office offers guided tours for all the family. Discover street art in the Cours Julien district, explore the Goudes district, take a fun tour of Le Corbusier’s Cité Radieuse, take a storytelling tour of the legendary Massalia, or go on a treasure hunt through Parc Borely to find the famous lost treasure of the Borely family! 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, it’s well worth the diversions!

>Discover every family guided tours of the tourist office

Invader was here

Let’s go hunting Spaces Invaders ! These little colorful mosaics are hidden a bit everywhere in the city.During the summer 2020, the Invader street artist has installed his works of art throughout the city, there are 97! Let’s find them all !

Sail away

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 from the Old Port by boat, the Château d’If offers a breathtaking view of the bay of Marseille. During the holidays, discover all the mysteries of the island with your family! (Beware of the weather! On windy or bad weather days, the boat does not leave)

More about the visit “if en famille”

The must-see Notre-Dame de la Garde

If there is one thing to see in Marseille, it is our famous Good Mother, Notre-Dame de la Garde, which culminates on the top of its hill! All means are good to go up there, on foot (count 20 minutes from the Old Port), by bike or by bus (N°60), but the ideal with children is with the little tourist train, this one is taken on the Old Port and leads you directly to the feet of the Basilica!

Book your ticket for the little train

In the nature

Discover the educational farms

Open every day during the holidays. Children will be made aware of the environment and will learn about farm animals and the nature that surrounds them. Educational activities and events will be offered (gardening, plant discovery, introduction to organic farming, etc.). There are several educational farms in Marseille (Collet des Comtes 12th, Roy d’Espagne 9th, Tour des pins 14th, etc.).

> All the educational farms in Marseille

Take a deep breath of fresh air in the parks

How about a nice winter walk with your family? Marseille is full of beautiful nature trails for everyone, a breathtaking view, a dip in the forest or a walk by the water, here are all our ideas for walks in Marseille in winter and its surroundings for a total change of scenery.

A boat trip in the Calanques

If you don’t feel like walking or if your children are too small to go around the massif, you can discover the Calanques by boat, if the weather allows it! There are several possibilities, with regular or private companies, a partial or complete visit, the choice is yours!

Want to learn

Everything you need to know about the planets

Come to the Planetarium in the garden of the Palais Longchamp.
A different programme every day during the school holidays, tours for the very young and for the older ones, the stars will no longer hold any secrets for them!

Activities in the Museums of Marseille

For curious little ones, visits, activities or workshops are planned throughout the holidays in most of the city’s museums. Life-size games at the Natural History Museum, art workshops at the Préau des Accoules, storytelling tours at the Museum of African, Oceanic and Amerindian Arts, creative workshops and interactive activities based on the collections at the Château Borely, and themed courses and workshops at the Château de la Buzine, not forgetting the Mucem, which offers fun workshops and storytelling tours. For fans of prehistory, come and dive into the heart of the Cosquer cave, a real discovery! There is something for all tastes and all ages!

> All the activities in the museums of Marseille

For OM fans

Visits to the Orange Vélodrome stadium take place every day during the school holidays, an immersive visit that will take you behind the scenes of this mythical place, your children will be able to learn all about their favourite team! And if the calendar allows it, come and watch a match! An unforgettable experience!

Want to move

Go to the Bowl at the escale Borely or the playground at the Friche Belle de Mai, your children will have a blast! your children are more of the “Tarzan” style? take them on a tree climbing trip and why not accompany them in their acrobatics!

Winter is here … so why not try a winter sport like ice skating for example! Head for the Palais omnisports Marseille Grand-Est to enjoy an ice rink worthy of the Olympic Games!

The weather is not good?

Don’t panic! Whether it’s raining, windy or cold, there’s never a dull moment in Marseille!

The playgrounds

For the youngest, Royal Kid or Magic City are real releases! Children can play in giant games to their heart’s content. Urban Jump or KIP are indoor multi-purpose parks more for teenagers, where they can play indoor go-karts, Lasergame, bowling or giant trampoline.

Escape games

There are many escape games in Marseille, for Harry Potter fans, for mystery fans, for film buffs, for older people who want to be scared! From the most mysterious to the most frightening, your children and teenagers will find their happiness! (illucity, time out, panic room, Dark dreams) …

> All parks and indoor playgrounds in Marseille

For the boldest

The climbing walls are not to be outdone! Adapted to all levels (even for the youngest), you can enjoy the climbing rooms of the Phocaean city with your family.

> All the climbing gym in Marseille

Live Marseille!