Summer in Marseille

A festive summer

Marseille is undeniably a land of festivals, and we’re delighted! At the Delta Festival alone, from August 23 to 27, some 150,000 people are expected to dance to the sounds of Damso, Alonzo, Angèle, Ofenbach, Feder and Synapson.

And that’s not all, of course. For those who prefer jazz, the Festival Marseille Jazz des Cinq Continents will enchant you with magical evenings that will also allow you to (re)discover emblematic spots, from the Mucem to the Palais Longchamp, via the Vieille Charité.

More of a cinema fan? With Ciné Plein Air, from June 28 to September 22, 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!

Start thinking Olympics

With France set to host the 2024 Olympic Games, the country is gearing up to immerse itself in sport for several weeks, and Marseille is not to be outdone – for 12 days it will be hosting the sailing competitions (from July 28 to August 8, 2024). The Cité Phocéenne will even have a privileged foretaste as it hosts the “Test Event” from July 9 to July 16, 2023, a full-scale rehearsal that brings together several hundred athletes who come to familiarize themselves with the race zones.

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 2 to 5. 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 Asia at Château Borely with the exhibition“L’Asie fantasmée. Histoires d’exotisme dans les arts décoratifs en Provence aux XVIIIe et XIXe siècles” , featuring over 400 works of art from or inspired by a dreamed-of Asia, from Turkey to Japan.

From July 5, enjoy an immersive journey through the elements: light, water, earth and plants, representing the first three days of the history of creation: “Genesis“. A total immersive experience in one of Marseille’s most beautiful buildings, the Palais de la Bourse.

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 plunging view over the Old Port. This summer, you’ll also have the pleasure of discovering the menu in collaboration with the Tourist Office and testing our ChooseMarseille cocktail.
More of a neighborhood bar? We strongly suggest the Parpaing qui Flotte in the Camas district, with its delicious and varied cocktail menu, or the nearby 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 to learn how to concoct, or simply sample, their delicious pastis cocktails? If you thought there was only such a thing as the mauresque or the parrot, you were wrong. Once you’ve tasted 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 so aptly puts it, “Quand arrive l’été l’appel des Goudes est le plus fort”. We can only recommend a trip to these beaches at the end of the Marseilles world (and favor the bus or bike over 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 between July 1 and September 3, and every weekend in June, to be among the first to enjoy this heavenly enclave far from the usual hustle and bustle.