TRAVEL TIPS
MARSEILLE
OVERVIEW VISÃO GERAL TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTE ATTRACTIONS ATRAÇÕES WHERE COMPRAS TO STAY ONDE WHERE FICAR TO EAT ONDE SHOPPING COMER
OVERVIEW Located on the south-east coast of France,
As such, the city is the ideal venue for many
Marseille, the oldest city in the country, is
famous European cultural events.
brimming with history, culture and style. It is considered a port region with a unique
It is a pleasant destination at all times of year,
character, combining a rich architectural
with balanced and attractive seasons. The
heritage with a vibrant cultural scene and
transport system is diversified, so that tourists
fabulous landscapes.
have several options and can discover the city in different ways. Tourist attractions are
Marseille, comprising 111 districts, is captivating
charming, as they are throughout France. From
for visitors with its pleasant climate and its
its gastronomy to its inviting accommodation,
charming restaurants revealing the unusual
everything combines to add even more
flavour of the regional gastronomy. In 2013
glamour to the region so that it simply cannot
Marseille was named the European Capital of
be omitted from your travel itinerary.
Culture, on account of its great cultural variety.
DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS MARSEILLE
Visit the fishing ports, the Castle of If, the
The “Festival de Marseille” showcases
Basilica of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, various
international music shows, dance, theatre and
districts and historical museums and the city’s
cinema throughout the month of July, and the
many street markets.
“Fiesta des Suds” is an art and music festival
Marseille has a Mediterranean climate with
end of October.
mild winters and hot summers. The city enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine per year with temperatures reaching 30°C in summer and
which takes place on the Dock des Suds, at the
Discover the peacefulness and the wonderful natural beauty of the French city of Marseille.
around 12°C in winter. In Spring, the climate is relatively mild in comparison with other European regions.
TRANSPORT
The Marseille region can be visited at any time of year, but the ideal season is Spring (March
The Marseille region offers a variety of
to June) when temperatures range between
transport means to explore its surroundings.
15°C and 20°C. It is also a rather attractive
The most common options are metro, bus,
destination in Summer, between June and
tramway, boat or car hire. RTM (Régie des
September. At this time of year, the Lavender
Transports de Marseille), the Marseille
fields in Provence are enchanting and the city offers a wide range of cultural attractions.
Transport Authority, runs the public transport services in Marseille. These include buses, metro and tramways.
METRO The Marseille city metro is a fast transit system, known as RTM, and runs two
ATTRACTIONS
underground lines. Information displays are good and easy to understand. Lines 1 and
Discover the variety of attractions that the city
2 operate from 5 am to 9 pm from Monday
of Marseille has to offer visitors.
to Thursday and until half past midnight on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
BUS Buses are identified by their number and destination which is displayed on the front end. Weekly or monthly passes can be purchased for use on buses, metro or the tramway. Tramway This is a modern type of tram and a great option for getting around the city.
SHIPS AND BOATS Various areas of the Marseille region can be explored in ships or boats that set sail from the Old Port (Vieux Port).
PETIT TRAIN (TOURIST BUS) The “petit train” is ideal for tourist excursions as it explores areas via three different circuits which passengers can choose from hour to hour.
CAR Car hire is not recommended as a way to explore Marseille’s main tourist spots, however, it can be a good option for tourists seeking to discover less well-known areas.
Enjoy the pleasant Mediterranean climate in the city, visit historic monuments, ancient towns, museums, the Old Port (Vieux Port), the Calanques National Park and much more.
DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS MARSEILLE
Basilique de Notre Dame de la Garde (Basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde) This is Marseille’s most symbolic monument. It is a Romanesque/Neo-Byzantine style construction which, at 162 metres high, offers an incredible view of the city. It is topped by a dome and is decorated with coloured marbles, mosaics, murals and golden artefacts. Bullet and shrapnel marks can be seen on the northern facade of the building, vestiges of the Marseille Battle for the Liberation of France which took place from 15 to 25 August, 1944. The best way to get to the Basilica is to take a bus from the Old Port, or walk which takes around 30 minutes. Entry is free of charge.
CHÂTEAU D’IF (CASTLE OF IF) Located on an island 3.5 km west of the entrance to the Old Port, the Castle of If is a fortress, built in the XVI century, which was later turned into a prison. It was immortalised in Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel “The Count of Monte Cristo”. Many politicians and protestants were imprisoned in the Castle of If, including the revolutionary Mirabeau. The “Frioul If Express” (Frioul ferry) sails from the Old Port to the Castle of If. There are 15 ferry departures each day in the summer and the trip takes around 20 minutes.
VIEUX PORT (OLD PORT) Located at the end of La Canebière, the historic high street in Marseille’s old quarter, the Old Port is in the heart of Marseille’s city centre. It is a maritime heritage site which receives dozens of fishing boats and yachts, in addition to many tourists, each day. The fish market,
open for business every morning on the Quai des Belges, is well worth a visit. The port entrance is protected by two forts: the Bas Fort St. Nicolas and, on the south side, the Fort St. Jean, built in the XIII century.
LA VIEILLE CHARITÉ Located in the Le Panier district, this cultural centre houses a permanent exhibition as well as temporary displays. It also accommodates the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of African, Oceanic and American Indian Arts, which assembles a varied collection of pieces from these three continents.
MUSÉE D’HISTOIRE DE MARSEILLE (THE MARSEILLE HISTORY MUSEUM) Located in the “Centre Bourse” shopping centre, the History Museum contains an interesting collection which sheds light on the various cultures which transformed the old port of Massalia into one of the most renowned ports of the Mediterranean.
PALAIS DE LONGCHAMP This was constructed in the 1860s, and houses two museums: the Natural History Museum and the Fine Art Museum, which is home to XV and XIX century paintings by artists such as Rubens, David and Ingres.
PLAGE DES CATALANS (CALANQUES) This natural space is enclosed by steep coves with a beautiful, sheltered beach and crystal waters. It features a spectacular range of white limestone cliffs sloping down to valleys, forming the surprising visual aspect of the Marseille coastline, with its fishing villages and varied sports activities. The region can be explored on tourist boat trips, by canoe or kayak or even on
DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS MARSEILLE
a stand-up paddle board. The ideal time to visit Calanques is on a hot day to do some diving and enjoy the Mediterranean view.
WHERE TO STAY
LE PANIER
Marseille offers a wide variety of
This is a famous district of Marseille,
accommodation options. The city has many
comprising three separate administrative
hotels, hostels and holiday apartments.
sectors: HĂ´tel de Ville (the Town Hall), Les Grands Carmes and La Joliette. Historically a
The hotels around the Old Port are the best
Greek colony known as Massalia in 600 BC.,
places to stay in Marseille. Situated at the
Le Panier has received many immigrants who
end of La Canebière, the Old Port is the most
have made their home here over time. It is a
popular spot in the region and offers many
lively area full of restaurants and bars.
accommodation options. It is an area that offers entertainment, culture and education,
all in one place. It has a variety of tourist attractions, restaurants and popular bars right by the sea. The Le Panier district also has a great range of accommodation options.
SHOPPING CENTRE BOURSE SHOPPING CENTRE
Hotels on offer include the luxurious
Located close to the Old Port (Vieux Port) of
Intercontinental Marseille, the Hotel Dieu and
Marseille, the Shopping Centre Bourse has
the Pullman Marseille Palm Beach which is
three floors featuring a range of 60 shops in
close to the Calanques National Park and the
addition to an indoor car park. Shoppers will
Castle of If (Château d´If).
find stores selling records, clothing and luxury accessories as well as several restaurants. Explore the top floor of the shopping centre
DINING OUT
and discover a temple dedicated to books, music and cultural products.
GRAND LITTORAL The city of Marseille offers a huge variety
This is a regional shopping centre offering 200
of gastronomic choices with restaurants of
shops over 2 floors.
all nationalities. Bouillabaisse is a traditional Marseillais dish made up of two parts: a soup
CENTRE VALENTINE
and a plate of white fish and vegetables.
This is a modern shopping centre for fashion
Most typical regional dishes are made with
and leisure products, offering visitors around
base ingredients of fish, soup, shellfish,
70 shops and restaurants.
oysters and mussels.
LES TERRASSES DU PORT
Try the delicious crackers known as
This will be the largest coastal shopping centre
“croquants marseillais” which are made with
in Europe; it will have 160 shops and several
almonds, “pompes à l’huile” a traditional
restaurants. The shopping centre’s launch is
dessert made from bread, and Marseille’s
planned for Spring 2014.
famous biscuits made with orange blossom water known as “navettes”. Olive oil,
LA CHOCOLATIÈRE DU PANIER
Provence honey and herbs also form part of
It’s a famous handmade chocolate store
the rich regional gastronomic assortment.
offering a variety of delicious and original flavours such as lavender. It is located in the Le
Restaurant options include Brasserie chez Roger, which is situated on the Quai du
Panier district. Definitely worth a visit!
Port in the Old Port and which offers a
STREET MARKETS
variety of fish and seafood dishes and the
The climate of Marseille and its exuberant
Mediterranean restaurant Abaco, which is
character offers a combination of varied and
also located in the Old Port.
high quality Mediterranean products forming
DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS MARSEILLE
the perfect setting for a large number of street
du Port, between the Brasserie La Samaritaine
markets. Explore the streets of Marseille and
and the Town Hall.
discover the city’s charming markets. Field Market (Le Marché du Prado) – Located Craft Market (Les Artisanales du Vieux-Port)
close to the Cours Julien area, the Avenue du
– Also known as the “Cruise Ship Passengers’
Prado accommodates a range of markets on
Market” (Marché des Croisiéristes), the “Craft
different days of the week. It has market stalls
Market” offers a range of products such as
offering the traditional range of flowers, fish,
traditional soaps naturally perfumed with olive
cheeses, fruit, vegetables, meats, clothes and
oil or lavender, hand carved figurines (santons),
much more. Visitors can find clothing, shoes
honey, olive wood artifacts and Provence
and Provence textiles.
textiles. This market takes place at the Quai
Capuchins Market (Le Marché des Capucins) – Located close to La Canebière, the
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
Capuchins Market is a typical street market and has colourful stalls offering exotic fruit and vegetables. Fish Market (Marché aux Poissons) – This is the most famous fish market in the region. It is open for business every morning on the Quai des Belges in the Old Port (Vieux Port). Visitors will a wide variety of fresh fish. Cours Julien – This area accommodates several markets during the week. It hosts a market for organic produce, a book market and the famous flea market. Flea Market (Marché aux Puces) – This is the biggest street market in Marseille. Stretching along the Cours Julien area, visitors will be transported to another world. Shoppers will find antiques, clothing, fruit and vegetables.
CURRENCY The currency in use in Marseille is the euro (€). There are 7 banknotes: 5,10,20, 100, 200 and 500 euros, and 8 coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and 1 and 2 euros. All leading credit and debit cards are accepted in local shops, making payment in the city’s shops and restaurants easy. Holders of credit and debit cards should present a piece of ID bearing a photograph when making payments. Travelers cheques are also a good option because they are secure and may be easily exchanged in banks or foreign exchange agencies around the city.
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