10 Hidden Corners Of Marseille

Marseille is today one of the most beautiful cities in all of France. However, it is still a great unknown for thousands of travelers, who think of it as a beach place in the heart of the Côte d’Azur.

However, this millenary enclave has received cultural influences for more than 25 centuries, as it was founded by the Greeks thanks to its fantastic maritime position for trade. Since then, there is a lot of history in its streets and buildings and here we visit some of the most unknown.

Discover Marseille

1. Castle of Borèly

Within the city of Marseille the old port and the famous cathedral are very famous. However, there are other areas that will attract the traveler’s attention, such as Borèly Castle. An old place that hosts all kinds of painting exhibitions and can be visited any day of the week.

2. Beaches and coves of Cassis and Marseille

A short distance from the Vieux Port, the port of Marseille, we find Cassis, a privileged place on the Côte d’Azur where you can enjoy truly beautiful and paradisiacal coves.

If you have the opportunity to enjoy them and tour them by boat, so much the better, because you will see all their natural splendor. The Calanques or Ratonneau are of spectacular beauty.

3. Castle of the island of If

Without a doubt, one of the most spectacular and beautiful corners of Marseille is the castle of the island of If. This place inspired Alexander Dumas himself for his popular novel The Count of Monte Cristo . And it is not surprising, since it is an impressive sight and a fortress that will take your breath away.

4. The Museum of Mediterranean Archeology

Few cities can say that they have the privilege of having a Museum of Mediterranean Archeology. In this magnificent place to get lost, the collection of objects belonging to the civilizations that have inhabited the Mare Nostrum, as the Romans baptized it, is immense. Enjoy Ancient Egypt, the Greek polis and everything related to the history of this old sea.

5. Cosquer Grotto

We said before that Marseille was founded by the Greeks a good number of centuries ago. However, among its most hidden corners we can find much older vestiges, belonging to the Paleolithic.

Located in the eastern part of the city, in the Triperie, the Cosquer grotto  houses prehistoric paintings within its underwater cave walls. It is truly impressive.

6. Marseille Observatory

As a Greek and Roman colony that it was, in Marseille the passion for the skies and the stars has not been lost. An example of this is the Observatory, a quiet place away from the city from which you can glimpse the brightest planets and stars in our universe.

7. Museum of the French Foreign Legion

A source of pride for many French people, the Museum of the Foreign Legion in Marseille collects all kinds of memories of this body, which has traveled dozens of countries throughout its history, and which today can be seen in a unique and little-known place from the city.

8. Vieux Port de Marseille

The Vieux Port, or Old Port of Marseille, is a place of great fame within the population. In fact, it is very crowded by tourists. However, if you manage to get out of its most commercial area, full of shops and cafes, you can discover a unique and singular place that is very unknown to the general public. Go through it from start to finish and find all its secrets and hidden corners.

9. Fashion Museum

Despite the great fame of French fashion is the capital, Paris, also in Marseille there is a unique museum on Carrer La Canebière, with an excellent remnant of pieces, which exceed 6,000, belonging to such famous firms as Dior or Chanel.

10. Abbey of Saint-Victor

For many years it has stood and I use the Abbey of Saint-Victor. A true pilgrimage place for French Catholics, because due to its antiquity and symbolism, it has become a vital center of the city, but very unknown to the traveler. Here you can enjoy wonderful concerts of sacred music or taste incredible decoration and architecture.

What do you think of this little trip through some corners of Marseille ? Are you willing to take your suitcase and go to this fantastic French city? Well get ready, because this is just the beginning compared to what awaits you in this fantastic millennial town.