Calanques
The Calanques are a series of narrow, steep-walled inlets along the coast south of Marseille, a national park of white limestone cliffs plunging into turquoise water. Free to hike and swim.
City in France
Marseille
4 things to see
Marseille is gritty, vibrant, and far more affordable than the Riviera towns to its east. The Vieux Port, the free-to-hike Calanques national park, and a multicultural food scene make it one of France’s most rewarding budget destinations, with plenty of free coastal walks and lively neighbourhoods to wander. It is also a cheap regional-train hub: elegant Aix-en-Provence is minutes away, and the Riviera at Nice is an easy ride east. Spring and autumn bring warm weather without the August crowds and prices.
What to see
Things to do in Marseille
What each one costs, where the cost is known.
Le Panier
Le Panier is Marseille's oldest neighborhood, a steep grid of narrow streets above the Vieux Port with colorful facades, street art, artisan workshops, and the Vieille Charite (a 17th-century almshouse now housing free exhibitions). Free to walk.
Notre-Dame de la Garde
Notre-Dame de la Garde is a Romano-Byzantine basilica on the highest point in Marseille, topped by a golden statue of the Virgin Mary visible from everywhere in the city. Free to enter.
Vieux Port
The Vieux Port (Old Port) is the historic harbor at the center of Marseille, a rectangular basin surrounded by cafes, fish markets, and the morning fish auction. Free to walk.
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