Things to Do in Marseille

The Basilique de Notre Dame de la Garde sits atop Marseille's prominent hill and looks out over the city. The church offers a staggering panorama, along with a collection of mosaics and a massive statue of the Madonna. For those who don’t fancy the steep walk, a bus service is available to help you reach the top.

Stumble towards the Vieux Port early morning and experience the city’s throbbing center. The fishermen will just be bringing their catch back home for sale, so you can buy from the market, or sit in a café terrace and eat some astoundingly fresh fish while watching the world go by.

The Museum houses an extensive collection chronicling the 20th Century’s early artistic movements. For art-buffs, there’s the chance to glimpse rare works by Matisse, Signac and Picasso.

Marseille’s specialty and a Mediterranean must-have. The soup combines an assortment of fish with spicy rouille to create the perfect seaside fish-fest combination. The fish is always fresh, and is accompanied by shellfish in the dearer establishments.

Just off the coast sits the Chateau d’If – the prison famous for holding the (fictional) Count of Monte Cristo. Catch a boat and have a look round, but try not to pick up the Count’s unfortunate fate: years of wrongful incarceration and a life-long thirst for revenge!