Things only Marseille locals know (and now you do too)

24.07.2024 - 09:20 / lonelyplanet.com

Jul 23, 2024 • 6 min read

As an American living in Marseille, I’ve got the inside scoop while knowing just what visitors want. You need to know the best way to explore the city, what neighborhoods to visit, how to order pizza like a local, and why you’ll root for Olympique de Marseille even if you don’t like football.

Here are the top tips to make the most of your trip to Marseille.

Save money on taxis (they cost twice as much as Uber) by hopping on the shuttle bus. At 10€ each way, these navettes whisk you to Saint-Charles train station in the city center in under 30 minutes. Plus, the bus leaves every 10 minutes (20 minutes after hours), so no wasting time on waiting.

Plan on two or three days to see the city’s top sites like the Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica (aka the “Bonne Mère'', “Good Mother”), the modern MUCEM museum and the adjacent 17th-century Fort Saint-Jean. Stroll the boat-lined Vieux-Port and the cobblestone streets of the city’s oldest neighborhood, Le Panier. Stay another day to venture further out to Le Corbusier’s Brutalist masterpiece, La Cité Radieuse, or the Friche la Belle de Mai cultural center.

A longer stay gives you more time to enjoy the Mediterranean Sea. For nature lovers, there’s nothing like the limestone fjords at Calanques National Park. Witness their splendor on a breathtaking hike or a leisurely sail.

Locals liken the city to 111 villages. Each has its own personality. Multicultural Noailles shows how migration has shaped Marseille’s culture and cuisine. Family-friendly Longchamp is as chic as the palace that shares its name. The post-industrial fishing village of L’Estaque once inspired Cezanne.

Chaotic streets, crazy drivers, and limited parking make a mess of driving in Marseille. Public transport is a safer bet. Or rent one of the city’s electric bikes (Le Velo) to take the new path along the coastal road, Corniche Kennedy.

With its wobbly sidewalks and many hills, Marseille is best navigated in sturdy shoes. Case in point: the staggering climb to the city’s highest point, Notre-Dame de la Garde. Walking is the best way to experience the buzzing scooters, squawking seagulls, and rich diversity that make up Marseille. 

Marseille’s 26 miles of coastline serves up a buffet of beaches. The closest beach to the city center, Plage des Catalans is the most popular. Sun-worshippers squeeze like sardines on its soft sand. Anse de la Fausse Monnaie features flat boulders that are ideal to lézarder au soleil (sunbathing like a lizard).  Nearby, the curved cove of Anse de Maldormé is perfect for a quick dip.  

In the evening, pair the technicolor sunsets with a bottle of rosé and a pizza to-go as locals do. Don’t swim during or just after heavy rains, when the Mediterranean gets