Summer in Marseille

A festive summer

Marseille is undeniably a land of festivals, and we’re delighted! At the Delta Festival alone, from August 27 to 31, some 150,000 people are expected to dance to the sounds of Bob Sinclar, Kavinsky, Ofenbach and Rilès, Tayc.

And that’s not all, of course. For those who prefer jazz, the Festival Marseille Jazz des Cinq Continents will enchant all fans, with magical evenings that will also allow you to (re)discover emblematic spots, from the Mucem to the Théâtre Silvain, the Belle de Mai disused industrial park and the Vieille Charité.

Are you more into cinema? With Ciné Plein Air, from June 30 to September 26, you can enjoy films shown free of charge on giant screens all over Marseille. A great opportunity to revisit the classics while enjoying the fresh air of nightfall!

Shoot or score at the Mondial de la Pétanque

What other city could host this most Marseillais of sporting tournaments, the annual pétanque competition? Like every summer, the Mondial de la Marseillaise à Pétanque returns to Marseille from July 6 to 9. The beauty of this event is that it’s open to all. Professionals will go all the way, but if you’d like to take on the big boys in the early rounds, now’s your chance! All you need to do is register. And bring your medical certificate, because yes, bringing a bottle of Ricard and a jack won’t be enough – it’s still a sporting competition.

Cultural break

It’s well known that summer in Marseille is hot. But there are always solutions, and why not, for example, take a cultural break at one of the new exhibitions? This summer’s program is sure to delight many, and the proof is in the pudding:

Cosquer Méditerranée, which needs no introduction, opened its doors on June 4, 2022, and is the perfect attraction for the whole family. This reproduction of the prehistoric underwater cave is complemented by a highly instructive museum area: life-size animal reproductions, evolution of the Calanques landscape over 20,000 years, workshops on global warming…

We then leap forward a few years to immerse ourselves in the world ofAlberto Giacometti, where for the first time in Marseille, the artist is honored in an exceptional exhibition at the Musée Cantini, on view until September 28.

During the summer, take a trip through the world of Legos ®, The Art of The Brick is an original and colorful exhibition not to be missed!

Remember to stay hydrated

We’re talking about water, of course, to be consumed without moderation in the heat. But when it’s time for an aperitif, we’re always on the lookout for a chilled cocktail! The choice is yours: how about a cocktail with a view? Try the Dantès, the Sofitel’s bar, with its bird’s-eye view of the Old Port. Or the Buvette “Le Bon Air”, which takes its place every summer at the foot of Notre-Dame de la Garde.
More of a neighborhood bar? We strongly suggest the Parpaing qui Flotte in the Camas district, with its delicious and varied cocktail menu, or just around the corner, the Beer’Ocratie. Not far from Castellane, the shady patio of l’Ebénisterie is perfect for late afternoon aperitifs.

And for the more Marseillais among you, why not head over to MX – Maison Yellow to learn how to concoct, or simply enjoy, their delicious pastis cocktails? If you thought there was only such a thing as the Moorish or the Parrot, you were wrong. After tasting the Café corrigé or the Jaune lemon, you’ll even want to make them again at home!

And finally: diving in the Mediterranean

It’s hard to talk about summer in Marseille without mentioning the best swimming spots! As Massilia Soud system so aptly put it in their song “Quand arrive l’été l’appel des Goudes est le plus fort” (“When summer arrives, the call of the Goudes is the strongest”). We can only recommend a trip to these beaches at the end of the Marseilles world (take the bus or bike, avoid the car), where the white rocks mingle with the turquoise blue water to create a tapestry of OM colors that will make you forget you’re still in Marseilles.

Not far behind, the Parc National des Calanques is breaking new ground by offering, for the first time in France, regulated access to the Calanque de Sugiton, one of the most popular. Don’t hesitate to book your day during the summer season (from June 21) and be among the first to enjoy this heavenly enclave far from the usual hustle and bustle.

If you prefer the big beaches, you’ve got everything you need in Marseille!