Marseille on the Coast of the Gulf of Lion

France, officially the French Republic is located in Western Europe and spans overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. France borders Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Monaco, Italy, Andorra, and Spain. Marseille is the prefecture of the French department of Bouches-du-Rhone. It is the capital of the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region in southern France. The city is located on the coast of the Gulf of Lion, part of the Mediterranean Sea, near the mouth of the Rhone River.

With a busy harbor and vibrant urban energy, Marseilles appeals to visitors seeking an authentic tourist experience. This lively cosmopolitan city is France's oldest and the second largest after the French capital, Paris.

In a breathtaking hilltop location, the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde is the most important landmark in Marseilles. The site was used in ancient times as an observation point, and during the Middle Ages, was the location of a pilgrimage chapel.

Today, the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde is a beacon for the faithful, with an enormous gilded Madonna crowning the belfry. It was built in 1853-1864, the church features an opulent neo-Byzantine-style interior of light and dark marble arches supporting gilded mosaic cupolas. The lavish design has a mesmerizing effect.

After seeing the interior, visitors can spend time on the splendid terrace. Offering a marvelous view, the panorama extends from the red rooftops of Marseilles' buildings and the old harbor, all the way to the Frioul Islands in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Abbaye Saint-Victor once belonged to an abbey founded in the 5th century. The abbey's basilica is one of the oldest buildings in Marseilles that is still intact, with foundations dating back to Early Christian and Carolingian times. With its crenelated walls and towers, the foreboding exterior has the feel of a medieval fortress.

Inside, the basilica reveals a simple and somber design, which gives it a special aura. The crypt houses sarcophagi of the 4th and 5th centuries, as well as the 11th-century tombstone of Abbot Isarnus. The Abbaye Saint-Victor is open for visits on Tuesday afternoons and on additional days during the late summer.

The Vieux Port represents the birthplace of Marseilles. This is where the city began as a Greek port around 600 BC. Surrounded by serene blue waters, the Old Port is located in the west of Marseilles near the Canebière boulevard.

A stroll around this bustling harbor immerses visitors in the sights and sounds of a thriving Mediterranean port. The waterfront is a focal point for tourists, and many say it's one of the best places to visit in Marseilles for authentic local cuisine. Seafood restaurants specialize in bouillabaisse, the flavorful seafood stew that is the city's signature dish.

On the east side of the harbor, the Quai des Belges hosts a fish market every morning. Once an important commercial port, the Vieux Port is now used primarily by fishing boats and sports craft. The Old Port is also the launching point for the ferries that sail to two popular tourist destinations: the Château d'If and the Calanques near Cassis.

Splendidly situated on a hillside above the Vieux Port, this colorful neighborhood is the historic center and cultural heart of Marseilles. Le Panier is Marseilles' oldest quarter, inhabited since antiquity when the ancient Greeks settled here in 600 BC. With its steep, narrow winding streets and quaint pastel buildings, this quarter offers a glimpse into the charming personality of Marseilles. Once a working-class neighborhood, Le Panier is now a gentrified residential neighborhood, but the typical houses with shuttered windows and lines of laundry provide a glimpse of its old-fashioned character.

Visitors may begin a walking tour on the north side of the Vieux Port harbor basin at the Quai du Port and then walk up La Canebière, a vibrant boulevard that bustles with activity. Wandering through this atmospheric neighborhood leads to discoveries of local artisan boutiques, gourmet food shops, and art galleries. There are also restaurants that serve authentic Algerian cuisine.

The quarter has several important monuments such as the Hôtel de Ville which was built in the second half of the 17th century based on a Genoese architectural model. Other landmarks include the Cathédrale de la Major and the Vieille Charité which has a museum with interesting contemporary art exhibits.

MuCEM (Musée des Civilizations de l'Europe et de la Méditerranée) is a complex of three different sites.

On the former J4 Pier, MusCem J4 is the newest part of this museum housed in an ultra-modern building by the seaside. The museum displays permanent collections and temporary exhibits.

The second section is located in the vaulted rooms of Fort Saint-Jean. This is a 12th-century monument that played a role during the Crusades. Here you'll find lush Mediterranean gardens and paths to stroll and take in lovely views of the coastline.

The third section is at the Conservation Center in the Belle de Mai quarter. This part of the museum offers behind-the-scenes looks into the work of the museum.

Parc National des Calanques is located between Marseilles and the fishing village of Cassis. Here the landscape is dominated by the Massif des Calanques Mountains. There are limestone rock walls with fjord-like coves filled with saltwater. Visitors enjoy outdoor activities like rock climbing, hiking, kayaking, and swimming. There are many trails to explore.

The Chateau d'If is a short ferry ride away from the Marseilles port on the Isle d'If in the Frioul Islands archipelago. This a nature conservation area consisting of the tiny islands of If, Pomegues, Ratonneau, and Tiboulen. Here you'll find clear waters, pristine beaches, sandy creeks, and limestone cliffs. The Chateau d'If was built by King Francois I as a fortress in the 16th century. It was later converted into a prison. This is the location depicted in the novel “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas.

The Le Panier quarter includes the Musse d'Histoire de Marseille. Here you can learn the story of Marseilles from its Gallo-Greek origin through the Middle Ages through the present day. On display is an impressive collection of historic artifacts, covering 2,600 years of history.

The Jardin des Vestiges is the museum garden. It is the excavation site of the 3rd century BC port of Massalia.

The Vieille Charite is located at the Place des Moulins. This is the highest point in Le Panier. It was built in 1640 to give the poor local inhabitants to place to live. In 1749 a three-floor public hospital with four wings was added. In the center courtyard of the hospital complex is a chapel. Since 1986 the building has been used to host scientific and cultural events and a museum. Le Centre de la Vieille Charite offers cultural events, ethnographic exhibits, and themed art expositions.

The Cathedrale de la Major is located in the northwest corner of Le Panier. It stands on an esplanade overlooking the waterfront. This neo-Byzantine cathedral was completed in 1852. It has two soaring twin towers and a 70-meter-high dome.

At the foot of the cathedral is Les Voutes Plaza. It is a popular gathering place with shops, cafes, and restaurants. It is a nice place for strolling with sea views.

Musee Cantini is housed in a 17th-century mansion. This is the place for art lovers and displays modern and contemporary art.

Not far from the museum is the Cours Belsunce, a wide esplanade from the 17th century. It is a popular place for strolling.