Eco-friendly holidays

At a time when the climate and environmental situation is increasingly worrying, resources are decreasing, pollution is increasing, plant and animal species are disappearing, it’s time to raise awareness about the state of the planet, and find solutions to limit this disruption. As tourism is one of the industries that emit the most greenhouse gases emissions, the State and local authorities have put in place measures to reduce the negative impacts of tourism on biodiversity, and begin a transition towards sustainable and responsible tourism.

An eco-friendly stay in Marseille

The Marseille Convention and Visitors Bureau is committed to becoming a sustainable destination by promoting responsible offers for leisure, accommodation and catering. The city is ISO 20121 certified, enabling it to rethink the fundamentals of its BtoB activities, as well as its internal operations, with the aim of setting an example and reducing its carbon footprint. The award of the Sustainable Innovative Destination label testifies to the city’s ability to welcome tourists under favourable conditions, while minimising the negative impacts of tourism.

For a few days, a weekend or a week, come and stay in the city of Marseille for an eco-friendly holiday in the sun.

Accommodation

For your eco-friendly stay in Marseille, you can turn to tourist accommodation professionals who have been awarded the Clef Verte or Green Globe label. Whether by the sea or in the countryside, these establishments focus on water, energy and waste management, and also try to raise awareness among their guests. Others did not want to be labelled, but are nonetheless committed to their practices, and are grouped together under the banner ‘Innovative and sustainable Marseille’. These sustainable establishments include hotels such as the Radisson Blu Hôtel in the Vieux Port, the Golden Tulip Marseille Euromed in La Joliette, and the Mama Shelter Marseille near the Cours Julien, as well as bed and breakfasts such as La Calanq’aise near the Calanques. If you’d like to get away from the city centre, opt to rent one of the gîtes with the Ecogîtes label, to be as close to nature as possible and enjoy some unusual accommodation.

Restaurants

Gastronomy is an integral part of travelling, so it’s essential to look for sustainable restaurants to accompany your stay. Some of Marseille’s restaurateurs have opted for the Ecotable label to guarantee their practices to their customers, while others have chosen not to be labelled, but are committed to their practices. Their commitments mean that they call on organic producers to select good products from sustainable and local agriculture, that they monitor food waste in the kitchen and in the dining room, and that they take care to reduce water and energy consumption. Treat your taste buds to local cuisine at Le Bouillon restaurant on boulevard Chave, enjoy tapas and meat à la plancha at Comptoir des Docks or savour traditional or vegetarian dishes at Les Grandes Tables de la Friche.

Transport

The city is taking action to reduce air pollution, which is partly due to gases emitted by cars and motor vehicles. To get to Marseille, opt for car-pooling or take the train: the Gare Saint-Charles is home to TGV trains from France’s major cities. The rest of your journeys around the city should be made using more sustainable forms of transport. In partnership with the Métropole, the département has developed a cycling plan and deployed more than 3,000 bicycles, including 2,000 electric ones, available at self-service stations throughout the city. It has also installed parking bays and cycle lanes and paths to enable cyclists to travel in complete safety. These facilities are also available to users of private e-scooters or one of the 4,500 e-scooters made available by the city, which can be found near the cycle stations. Marseille also offers a wide range of public transport services covering a large part of the city: metro, bus, tram, etc.

The activities

Liven up your green holiday with activities in the great outdoors. Visit or explore Marseille’s heritage on foot or by bike. You can start by visiting the city’s must-see sites. Climb to the top of the basiliqueNotre-Dame de la Garde, then head for the Vieux-Port. A stroll along the harbour will take you to the Esplanade J4, at the foot of the amazing Mucem and the Villa Méditerranée. As you continue your stroll towards the Joliette district, you’ll come face to face with the impressive Cathedral de la Major, a jewel of neo-Byzantine architecture, before wandering into the charming Panier district, with its colourful facades and the street art of visiting urban artists. You can also take an electric boat trip to the Frioul islands, or simply admire the sunset over the Mediterranean. If you’re more sporty, you’ll be delighted to go hiking in the Calanquesor climbing from Luminy to contemplate the incredible plant and animal life on offer. When you’re out and about, make sure you don’t leave any rubbish behind and that you respect the area and its flora and fauna.