a harbor filled with lots of boats next to a city

Marseille

Go to Marseille for the Old Port, the rugged Calanques inlets and sunshine. The city averages about 2,897 hours of sun a year.

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Marseille is a Mediterranean port in southern France, capital of the Bouches-du-Rhône department and the country's second-largest city after Paris, with 886,040 inhabitants in 2023. Greek settlers founded it around 600 BC as Massalia, which makes it the oldest city in France. The Old Port sits at the centre of city life, lined with cafés and restaurants and guarded by Fort Saint-Nicolas and Fort Saint-Jean.

Visitors come for the Old Port, the basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde on the hill above it, the Le Panier quarter and the MuCEM museum, along with bouillabaisse and Marseille soap, made in the city for roughly six centuries. Calanques National Park lies within the city limits, making Marseille the only large city in France with a national park inside it. July and August are the hottest months, so plan long walks for spring or autumn. Allow a few days for the city and at least one trip out to the Calanques.

Marseille in five

Take the airport shuttle to Saint-CharlesA shuttle bus links Marseille Provence airport with the main station in about 25–30 minutes. From Saint-Charles the metro reaches the Vieux-Port in a few minutes.
Climb to Notre-Dame de la Garde earlyThe basilica above the harbor gives the best view of the city and the islands. Go before the heat of the day, and check the opening hours, which change by season.
Pair the MuCEM with the Panier walkThe museum of Mediterranean civilizations sits at the mouth of the Vieux-Port, a short walk from the old Panier quarter. Check opening days and book timed tickets in peak season.Tours and tickets
Plan a Calanques day around the park rulesThe inlets are Marseille's best day out, but summer fire closures and booking rules apply. Look at the park's site the morning you go.Les Calanques
Decide: Marseille or LyonMarseille is sea, port life and the Calanques; Lyon is food and an old town. They are 1.5–2 hours apart by TGV, so a trip can use both.Lyon or Marseille

Things to do in Marseille

See all attractions in Marseille

The palais longchamp building stands tall with a fountain

Museum · MarseilleMusée des Beaux-Arts, MarseilleCheck the current program before you go, as temporary exhibitions may require a separate ticket.

Church · MarseilleMarseille CathedralVisit near sunset for warm light on the marble façade.

Sight · MarseilleFrioul archipelagoWear walking shoes; many shorelines are rocky, so water shoes can help.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to MarseillePut the places you like in Marseille on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Marseille Provence (MRS); shuttle bus to Saint-Charles about 25–30 min
Getting there: TGV from Paris about 3–3.5 hrs; Lyon about 1.5–2 hrs
Getting around: Metro, trams, buses and ferries; walk the old port
Best base: Vieux-Port or Le Panier for a first stay
Time needed: 2–3 days; add 1 for the Calanques

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh12°Low7°Cool, mistral
FebruaryClear7 rainy daysHigh13°Low8°Cool, clear
MarchClear6 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°Mild, mistral
AprilPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°Spring, fresh
MayClear7 rainy daysHigh20°Low14°Warm, terraces
JuneClear5 rainy daysHigh25°Low19°Hot, beaches
JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh28°Low22°Hot, busy
AugustClear2 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°Hot, busy
SeptemberClear5 rainy daysHigh25°Low19°Warm, swim
OctoberClear8 rainy daysHigh21°Low16°Mild, golden
NovemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh16°Low11°Cool, rain
DecemberClear7 rainy daysHigh13°Low8°Cool, quiet

Average daily high and low in Marseille, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Marseille

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 11°
Humidity: 55%
Wind: 9 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Marseille

09:47 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+1

Today17°9°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 0%.
Tue18°7°8%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 8%.
Wed15°13°75%Wednesday: Rain. High 15°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 75%.
Thu17°14°56%Thursday: Drizzle. High 17°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 56%.
Fri16°11°60%Friday: Drizzle. High 16°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 60%.
Sat14°8°16%Saturday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 16%.
Sun16°8°41%Sunday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 41%.

Updated 09:35 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8961 EUR

Amount

Converted to

EUR · Euro

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Marseille

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

Jun–JulAix-en-Provence FestivalAix-en-Provence, a day trip
JulFestival d'AvignonAvignon, a day trip
Jul–AugChorégies d'OrangeAvignon, a day trip

Day trips by train

Before you go to Marseille

TGV to MarseilleParis, Lyon and Nice by railRead the guide

Calanques boat cruiseSee the inlets from the waterCompare cruises

eSIM for FranceMaps for the Corniche and the park appRead the guide

Travel insurance for FranceBeach theft, cancelled boatsRead the guide

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Rules for Marseille, checked

Check entry requirements on the French foreign ministry travel advice site before you fly.Source
Buy Métro tickets at the automated booths beside the turnstiles before you go through.
Check the rules of Calanques National Park before you hike or swim there.
Petty crime happens in some areas, so keep bags closed and phones out of sight on crowded Métro lines and trams.

Plan around Marseille

All of France

Regions, cities and entry rules

Read the guide Les Calanques

Inlets, access rules and boat trips

Read the guide Cassis travel guide

Harbor town beside the Calanques

Read the guide Aix-en-Provence guide

Fountains and markets, 40 min away

Read the guide Provence and the Côte d'Azur

How Marseille links the coast and the inland

Read the guide Lyon or Marseille

Which stop fits a trip to the south

Read the guide

Marseille FAQ

Is Marseille worth visiting?

Yes, if you like a real working port with sea views, strong food and a big park of rocky inlets next door. It is less polished than Nice and rewards curiosity more than a checklist.

How many days do you need in Marseille?

Two days for the Vieux-Port, Le Panier, the MuCEM and Notre-Dame de la Garde. Add a day for the Calanques or Aix. Skip extra days unless you want beach time.

Where should I stay in Marseille?

Vieux-Port or Le Panier for a first stay, Cours Julien for cheaper and livelier, Joliette for modern hotels and Prado for beaches. Each trades atmosphere against transit time.

Is Marseille safe for tourists?

Most visitors have a normal city trip. As in any large port, watch bags on the metro and around Saint-Charles at night, and check your government's travel advice before you go.

Marseille or Nice for a first Riviera trip?

Nice for beaches, a tidy old town and an easy base along the coast. Marseille for a grittier, more authentic port city and the Calanques. Many trips use both.