Marseille: 12 Must-See Attractions and a Complete Travel Guide

The Vallon des Auffes is Marseille's best-kept secret. This tiny fishing harbour hides beneath the Corniche viaduct. You come across it by surprise.

Cabins crowded together, colourful boats (the famous "pointus") and drying nets: everything breathes the Provence of long ago. A few renowned restaurants serve bouillabaisse here (Chez Fonfon, L'Épuisette).

It is a true postcard, intimate and away from the crowds. You come for a photo, a dinner by the water or simply the atmosphere. A place that makes you fall in love with Marseille.

From the top of its hill, the "Bonne Mère" watches over the whole city. Its golden silhouette can be seen from everywhere and offers a 360° panoramic view over Marseille, the port and the sea.

Built in the 19th century in a neo-Byzantine style, the basilica rises to 149 metres. Inside, golden mosaics and ex-votos recall the devotion of the people of Marseille, sailors and fishermen above all.

You come for the view, but also for the atmosphere. Entry is free every day. It is the best vantage point for understanding the city's geography.

The Old Port is the beating heart of Marseille: boats swaying, café terraces and the buzz of the quayside. This is where it all begins.

This port has been the cradle of Marseille for 2,600 years. Every morning, the fish market sets up on the Quai des Belges: the day's catch sold straight from the boats.

Look up at the ombrière, a giant mirror designed by Norman Foster in 2013. From here, shuttles set off for the islands and the Calanques.

Picture white cliffs plunging into turquoise water. The Calanques offer one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Mediterranean, just a few kilometres from the centre.

This limestone range stretches between Marseille and Cassis: Sormiou, Morgiou, Sugiton and En-Vau. Created in 2012, it is the only national park in Europe that is at once land-based, marine and peri-urban.

You come here to hike, swim or simply take it in. Access requires some planning, but the effort is well worth it. This is the wild face of Marseille.

The MuCEM is the symbol of modern Marseille. Its concrete cube wrapped in a black lattice plays off the sea, the sky and the old fort next door.

This Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations opened in 2013, the year Marseille was European Capital of Culture, designed by Rudy Ricciotti. A footbridge links the museum to Fort Saint-Jean.

Here you explore exhibitions, rooftops and walkways with superb views. It is a place to experience, between culture and panoramas.

Facing the Old Port stands a fortress set on a tiny island. Château d'If intrigues, somewhere between military history and literary legend.

This former 16th-century prison owes its fame to Alexandre Dumas: his Count of Monte Cristo was imprisoned here.

You walk through cells and ramparts, with a magnificent view of Marseille from the open sea. Entry costs €7, free for under-26s. A short and memorable excursion.

Le Panier (the old town) is the Marseille of times past. You lose yourself in a maze of narrow lanes, stairways and colourful façades. Every street corner is a postcard.

It is the oldest district in the city. Craft workshops, designer boutiques and street art enliven its alleys. You will come across the Vieille Charité, a former 17th-century hospice designed by Pierre Puget.

There is no place for a car here: everything is discovered on foot. It is the ideal spot to feel the down-to-earth soul of Marseille.

The Cité Radieuse fascinates architecture lovers from all over the world. This huge concrete liner raised on pillars looks like nothing else in Marseille.

Le Corbusier designed it between 1947 and 1952. Nicknamed the "Maison du Fada", it embodies brutalism. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 17 July 2016.

It is a true "vertical city": an indoor shopping street and a rooftop terrace are freely accessible. Guided tours of the apartments run through the tourist office.

A few minutes by boat from the Old Port, the Frioul archipelago feels like another world: arid landscapes, crystal-clear waters and silence.

There are two main islands, Ratonneau and Pomègues, joined by a sea wall. The shuttle takes 20 minutes from the Old Port. You will find swimming coves, trails and the former Caroline hospital.

It is an ideal nature break for a half-day: swimming in clear water, hiking and quiet. A striking contrast with the city centre.

The Palais Longchamp is a real eyeful: a majestic colonnade, cascades and a water tower make up a monumental setting, often overlooked by visitors in a hurry.

This 19th-century monument celebrates the arrival of water in Marseille via the canal. At its centre, a sculpted group of bulls rises above the fountains.

The palace houses the Fine Arts Museum and the Natural History Museum. Culture, architecture and a green stroll, away from the Old Port.

The Corniche Kennedy runs along the sea for almost 5 kilometres. It is the favourite promenade of locals, with its views of the islands and its famous bench, said to be the longest in the world.

You can walk or cycle it. The path leads to the landscaped Prado beaches, which are free: sand, lawns and swimming areas for families.

At sunset, the place becomes magical. The light sets the sea ablaze. It is the perfect spot to end the day.

You cannot miss La Major. Its stripes of green and white stone give it a unique look, between the sea and the docks of La Joliette.

Its full name is the Sainte-Marie-Majeure Cathedral, built in the 19th century in a Roman-Byzantine style. Green Florentine stone alternates with white. It is one of the largest cathedrals in France.

Set between Le Panier and La Joliette, it can be visited freely. Around it, the Docks vaults and shops round out the walk.