Family activities this summer in Marseille

All but a handful of Marseille’s museums offer free admission to permanent exhibitions. In addition to their varied collections and temporary exhibitions, some offer activities for young visitors during the school holidays. The themes are varied and often in keeping with the place being visited (Mucem, Château la Buzine, Château Borely, Regards de Provence, etc.). (Mucem, Château de la Buzine, Château Borely, Regards de Provence, etc.)
All summer long, find out more about current exhibitions.

The Musée de l’illusion is a fascinating world for all the family to explore, and will turn your senses upside down!

The Palais de la Bourse is offering a brand new, illuminating experience! Ideal for children and the whole family, Enlightment, an immersive show! From 8 July.

Are you looking for a green and fresh place to spend some time with your family ? Discover the parks and gardens of Marseille. There are more than sixty of them, spread throughout the city.

Whether you’re a fan of Olympique de Marseille or just curious, you can visit the Orange Vélodrome stadium. This iconic venue has the advantage of being close to the city centre. The tour of the stadium is fun and immersive, taking in the changing rooms, the press conference room and even the official players’ entrance to the pitch.

Discover the magic of prehistory with your family at the replica of the Cosquer Cave at Villa Méditerranée. Immerse yourself in a unique adventure where you can explore this historic marvel, reproduced identically over an area of almost 2,000 m². Let the self-contained modules transport you through the galleries of the cave and marvel at the ancient paintings and engravings. After your exploration, a captivating documentary will tell you the story of this extraordinary discovery. It’s a fun, educational outing that will delight young and old alike.

A fun and cultural visit, plus you can take home a nice souvenir of Marseille! What could be more “Marseillais”  than Marseille soap! Children will love it and will be able to learn all about the making and secret of the famous soap.

This summer, take to the open seas with your family, far from the hustle and bustle of Marseille. Set sail on an exceptional sailing boat, catamaran or smaller craft for an unforgettable day or half-day of relaxation and swimming, and discover the Calanques de Marseille and the harbour of Marseille as you’ve never seen them before.

A unique place, a fortress facing the city. Just 30 minutes by boat from the Old Port, the Château d’If offers a breathtaking view over the bay of Marseille. Made famous by Alexandre Dumas in The Count of Monte Cristo, the Château d’If has served many purposes in the past! Come and discover all its mysteries with your family! Tours for young visitors are available throughout the summer.

If there is one thing to see in Marseille, it is the famous Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica! All the means are good to go up there, on foot ( count 20 good minutes from the “Vieux-Port”), by bike, by bus (N°60),  but ideally if you have children, it is with the small tourist train, this one takes you from the “Vieux-Port” and leads you directly to the “La Bonne Mere – Good Mother”!

There are plenty of places to swim in Marseille, with sandy beaches, pebble beaches and rocky outcrops where you can play stuntman… But if you want to enjoy the city with your family in complete peace of mind, choose beaches that are easily accessible and supervised, such as the Plage des Catalans, the Prado beaches, the Pointe Rouge beach or the Corbières beaches at l’Estaque.
If you prefer small coves or just want to cool off, Marseille is full of wonderful places to discover!

All summer long, we’re organising fun guided tours of Marseille’s neighbourhoods!

Did you know that Marseille is famous for its street art? Well, yes, renowned street artists are increasingly stopping off in the Cité Phocéenne. The 2 key street-art districts are the Panier and the Cours Julien. For several years now, the Tourist Office has been offering a guided family tour of street art on the Cours Julien, explaining this art form and its techniques to younger visitors.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, La Cité Radieuse is a must-see in Marseille! To learn about the history of this site in a fun and entertaining way, we are offering tours until August. A perfect family visit to discover this historic site!
But there are plenty of other family visits to discover in Marseille!

Is it time for a snack? For a change from eternal ice cream ( certainly refreshing during the summer heat) go to the other end of Marseille, to  l’Estaque, to taste a ” specialité Marseillaise” ! The  “Chichis fregis” ! A real family outing ! First of all, take the maritime shuttle on the “Vieux-Port” (Old Port), it will take you straight to the port of  “l’Estaque”( district of Marseille), the crossing lasts 35 minutes and there are departures every hour (it circulates from April to September). When you arrive, head for one of the “Baraques Chichis Frégis”(Chichis stands)! A treat and if you feel like it, you can try  les Panisses !

“Come and see my beautiful scorpion fish “! is what you are likely to hear if you take a walk along the “Vieux-Port” in the morning. As a family, it is best to go a little early, when the fishermen are arriving, the crowds are not yet there and the sun is not yet beating down. A real “Marseillaise immersion”, the market takes place every day from 8am to 1pm. Take a walk with your family and then head for the Town Hall  to make the world’s shortest boat crossing ever known, about 283 metres! Cross the harbour with the famous Ferry-Boat ! The crossing costs 0.50€ and lasts a few minutes.

L’été Marseillais is back again this year!

From 5 July to 1 September, the city of Marseille is offering a rich and varied programme of cultural, sporting and family-friendly activities!
Throughout the summer, part of the Old Port will be pedestrianised, with themed areas and a market on offer.