What to do in Marseille with your family

Get a bird’s eye view

To get started and discover the city, why not contemplate it from above? Marseille has the most beautiful observatory of all, the Notre-Dame de la Garde hill. From here, visitors can see the city from sea to hills.

If you’re feeling daring, you can reach the “Good Mother” on foot (because it’s quite a climb), or by bus. A cherub with his finger on his lips greets visitors at the entrance to the sanctuary. Take heart, there are still a few steps to go before you reach the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde via the drawbridge (a real one!). Before entering and discovering the mosaics and numerous ex-votos (models of boats and airplanes, naive paintings and medals…), it’s time to take a tour of the building. Up there, the magnificent 360° view over Marseille, Frioul and the ports… all the way to the Calanques massif is magical. The game is to find the Old Port, the Château d’If and the Orange Vélodrome… and make your own schedule of visits.
And for lunch, check out our website to find out all the local restaurants around you.

Head for the Old Port

Head back down to the Old Port and take a 20-30 minute boat trip to the Château d’If to discover this fort built at the request of François 1er and made famous by the adventures of Edmond Dantès in Alexandre Dumas’ Count of Monte Cristo. Children will love the Count of Monte Cristo’s cell! Take a guided tour and discover the mysteries of the fortress while having fun at the same time.

A stroll along the quays

Once you’ve seen the sights from above and taken to the sea, it’s time to discover France’s oldest city, starting at the Vieux-Port. It was here, or thereabouts, that Greek sailors from Asia Minor arrived in 600 BC and later founded Massalia. A plaque on the Quai des Belges commemorates their arrival. Nearby, the huge mirror known as the Ombrière reflects water, boats and visitors. A must-see souvenir photo of Marseille with your family! For the curious and the passionate, the Musée d’Histoire de Marseille, located near the Vieux-Port, retraces all these episodes in a fun, child-friendly tour.

Walk along the quay, looking at the fishermen, fish and boats moored there, all the way to Fort Saint-Jean, home to the Mucem. As you enter the fort, you’ll pass by the Roy René tower, the Cour de la Commande courtyard, the montée des canons and the chemin de ronde… a real trip back in time! One step up to the Place d’Armes and a footbridge with breathtaking views, and you’re at the Musée des Civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée, with its contemporary architecture. The best thing to do is to climb down the access ramp that surrounds the building, offering alternating views of the sea, port and city. Families are welcome. Mucem offers activities, workshops, tours and guided visits for families. L’île aux trésors is a children’s area for 4-12 year-olds, with a digital tour. Don’t forget to visit Cosquer Méditerranée, the replica of the real Cosquer cave discovered in the 80s by diver Henri Cosquer. A true prehistoric treasure. Embark on a 35-minute carriage tour to admire these masterpieces of cave art. Children are sure to love it!

Get lost in the Panier district and its narrow streets

Although France’s second-largest city, Marseille offers visitors many little nuggets to discover, such as the Panier district. To get there, leave the Mucem via the J4 esplanade, head towards the Voûtes de la Major and take the large staircase leading up to the Cathédrale de la Major. Nearby, there’s a playground with a magnificent view, and on the J4, an unobstructed view of the ballet of ferries entering and leaving the port. This is where Marseille was built on the north shore of the Vieux-Port.
Small squares give way to narrow streets with staircases, nooks and crannies to beautiful views of the South Shore and Notre-Dame de la Garde. Street art and greenery make the district even more lively and cheerful. Don’t miss a visit to the Vieille Charité, with its museums and ovoid domed chapel. Next door, Rue des Muettes leads to Place des Moulins, the highest point in the district (42m!). There are still a few remains of the mills, but you’ll have to look hard! Le Préau des Accoules, a children’s museum with wonderful exhibitions and workshops, is on the way back to Vieux-Port.

At the Vieux-Port, take the Colörbus and make the most of the hop-on-hop-off system. From the top of the panoramic bus, the view of the Corniche, its little ports and Marseille’s harbor is breathtaking. It’s possible to stop and pick up the bus later to take a dip at the Catalans beach, discover the Malmousque cove, enjoy a seaside lunch of fish or pizza at the Vallon des Auffes…

You can continue on to the family-friendly beaches of Prado, where you can swim and play by the sea. Nearby, visit Parc Borély, with its botanical garden, lake and small boats, and its Musée des Arts décoratifs, de la Faïence et de la Mode, which regularly offers children’s workshops and family tours. The park is home to several species of feathered and furry inhabitants. They’re easy to come across, much to the delight of children and families alike. You can return along Avenue du Prado (on foot or by bus) to the Orange Vélodrome, Marseille’s legendary stadium, which can be visited by the whole family.