Guys! I urge you to visit Marseille when you are next in the south of France. From the moment we stepped foot from the parking lot where we parked our rented car, we fell in love with this beautiful city situated in the French Riviera!
Marseille is often forgotten when planning for day trips to the south of France. You can read about our stop in the city of Arles on their way there.
Most people visit the more fashionable Nice or Cannes. We did plan to visit these cities too but had to come back a day earlier for hubby´s work (I’ll refrain from saying anything about this for the moment).
So at the end of June (on a really sunny day), we headed to Marseille for the day. This attractive sunny (port) city has been designated a European capital center of culture. Its rich is evident at Old Port, La Panier district and its ancient fortifications. We walked through various parts of the city and enjoyed a view of the beautiful sceneries then suddenly saw this massive big Ferris Wheel.
We planned to ride it but at the very end we chickened out. I know I know! Chick chic chick-EN!
We proceeded to the historical Amphitheatre and were amazed by this beautiful site. Afterward, when we could no longer stand our rumbly tummies, we had lunch at the Hard Rock Café where we opted for their jumbo starter platter. This platter is great if you´re on a budget. We have eaten this platter in Tenerife, Madrid, Sevilla, Amsterdam, and Marseille and it tasted the exact same in all of those places!
Talking about budget, remember if you book your trip via Ebates you will earn cash back which you can use towards your next trip.
We then visited Arc de Triomf and viewed the friezes which were beautiful to see. The front frieze which contains the stone statue Barcelona reps les nacions, the opposite frieze with a carving titled recompensa done by Joseph Llimona in the earliest period which represents the grant awards of the world exposition awards.
We then viewed the Calanques cliffs and harbors along the sea coast and were able to ride on ferry boats crossing the harbor which took exactly 2 minutes and cost 0.50c! It was fun even if it was the shortest ferry trip I´ve ever taken 🙂
Of course, we stopped off at Starbucks. Luca and I are Starbucks obsessed and I need at least one coffee (or Frappuccino if the weather is hot) per day, per trip. A little later we stopped at Sephora for shopping (I seriously love this place!). I wanted to vlog in there but they wouldn´t allow me which is unfortunate because I could have included it in my Marseille video vlog on my YouTube channel…
At night we visited Notre Dame de la Garde and had a view on gargoyles, rose window, great organ, tower and crypt, and relics. A perfect ending to a perfect day.
We enjoyed every bit of our day in Marseille. I´m planning to write more posts about our trip to the south of France. So far I´ve written about our time in Arles as well as about our visit to a vineyard close to Montpellier. We stayed in an Airbnb in Montpellier which is 169 km / 105 mi from Marseille.
If you want to learn more about this area, you will love Rick Steves Provence & the French Riviera. You can count on Rick to tell you what you really need to know when traveling in Provence and the French Riviera.
Johlene
xoxo
RESOURCES
I often get asked about the equipment I use when traveling. I mean this is the only real thing you´ll keep from your trip and therefore it needs to be really good! The camera I use for my blog photos is the Canon T3i/600D EOS (with the Canon STM 50mm 1.8 lens). I would like to upgrade to the Canon EOS 5D Mark III (however my budget does not allow for it yet) because of its full frame (22MP full frame CMOS) sensor capacity. My current camera has a cropped frame which means I need to stand further away from my subject when I shoot.
Then, I use the Osmos DJI Mobile for my videos/vlogs. I love the Osmo Mobile because you control it via an app on any Android or IOS phone. It seriously has changed the way my travel videos look! Some of its features are:
- Active Track technology, automatically keep your smartphone facing you as you move
- Smooths and even cancels out the movements you make, stopping camera shake and turning every shot into a cinematic video!
Here are a few photos of me and hubby using the Osmo Mobile
I would most definitely want to make a visit to Marseille. What a stunning French town. I have not been there, but now I can see what I’ve missed! Must make it back! Thanks for sharing with #FarawayFiles, Erin
Hi Erin! Yes you have to go back and visit it! It´s very cosmopolitan which is a style I love 🙂
A friend recently took the train from London all the way to Marseille, she loved it too! I love cities by the water, and the relaxed look of Marseille definitely appeals. #FarawayFiles
Hi Angela, I would have love to take that train trip, it sounds like my cup of tea! 🙂
Marseille has been on my must visit list for a while. Maritime cities are always fun. Looks like there were plenty of photo opportunities too. Thanks for joining #FarawayFiles
Hi Katy, yes there were so many! My family & I were snapping away for most ofthe day 🙂
It looks incredible! I am pumped to visit more of France after we fell in love with Alsace this year. I have heard great things about Marseille. Seems like the city is gaining a lot of visitors lately. #FarawayFiles
Hi Ruth! Yes I think Marseille is gaining popularity too… I can´t wait to go back to the south of France because there is just so much to see and explore… 🙂
nice day trip!
Thanks Tanja, it was awesome! 🙂
Marseille is simply breathtaking! I simply loved your inspiring and stunning pictures, Johlene!
Hi Johlene, thanks so much for sharing this post on Marseilles. I’m so glad to read a post about Marseilles as it does tend to get overlooked. I went briefly years ago and have often wanted to go back, stay there and explore it properly. Thanks for inspiring me with your gorgeous photos.
Hi Clare! I feel the same way as you! Our time there was too short and now I want to go back there and really get to know it.. 🙂
Marseilles is definitely on my list that I hope to make it to! You post looks so summery and full of fun! #FarawayFiles
I hope you get to go too! Thanks so much for stopping by! 🙂
Oui oui! I’d love to explore Marseille Johlene. The closest I have got is Cassis which is so pretty but I confess I like the sound of Marseille’s raw edges. Thanks for joining #FarawayFiles
I’ve been wanting to visit France for some time now. Until I can go, I will adore your amazing photos. Look at that beautiful Ferris wheel and we won’t even talk about the food. I am so in love. Thanks for taking us on the trip with you. I’ve defintiely missed this blog.
Kia Salter | Kiasalter.com
Hi Kia, nice to see you back here!! France, especially the south of France, is an amazing place to visit 🙂
Wow, these are gorgeous photos, Johlene! Marseilles is definitely on my list of places to visit. In fact, that whole section of France around the Rhone is on our short list. I love European cities set on water, and Marseilles looks like a place I would love. Thanks so much for sharing!
If I could go back tomorrow I would! The French Riviera is amazing!! 😉