The perfect holiday destination can be found in the biggest city in France next to Paris amidst the exotic weather and busy culture. With some of the best cuisine in the south of France along a highly diverse population, jetting off to the city of Marseille is something you simply cannot miss.
Stade Velodrome
If there’s one thing Marseille are good at demonstrating, it’s their appreciation of sport. The Stade Velodrome is the biggest football ground in France and on-going renovations will see it become one of the biggest in the world. The stadium was a venue in the 1998 FIFA World Cup as well as the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
Home to French club Olympique de Marseille F.C., almost 70,000 spectators will be able to fit inside the Velodrome by 2014. A tour can cost as little as 10€ and match-day tickets between 30€ to 90€.
Calanque de Morgiou
Described as quite simply the best beach in Marseille, the beautiful setting of Calanque de Morgiou is the textbook setting for an adventurous day out. Calanques is the French term for steep inlets that can be found near the sea. A natural wonder, this is one of the finest of its kind in France.
If you’re a thrill-seeker, you can choose to hike the hour-long route but if you’re just looking for some quiet, you can take the boat journey around the calanques.
Vieux Port
Marseille’s old port is the hub of the city, attracting many tourists and sightseers. With the harbour right next to it, Vieux Port is a busy environment. The great thing about the port is the history that comes with it. In 600BC, Greek settlers used the Vieux Port as a trading post and now it is a marina for local boats and fishing trips.
A host of restaurants and cafes are situated at the port, giving you access to some of the best sea-food. The best part of it all? It’s mainly pedestrian, meaning no cars or transport to bother you.
Basilique de Notre Dame de la Garde
It is virtually impossible to miss the iconic golden statue on top of the Notre Dame de la Garde as it is situated on the tallest point in the city. Built in the 1850s, the Catholic Church is filled with coloured marble, ancient mosaics and murals. It is also only a short drive away from Vieux Port so it is best to look at any car hire options such as Alamo to get a quick route in and around Marseille.
The church is open daily from 7am to 7:15pm during April to October. Opening times during November to March from 7am to 5:30pm.
Musee d’Archeologie Mediterraneenne
Every major city must have a museum fit to hold some of the city’s historical features. In the Museum of Mediterranean Archaeology, you get just that and more as the museum offers an insight into ancient Mediterranean civilisations. Established in 1863, it is one of the oldest museums still standing in Marseille today.
Students who are under the age of 27 get in for free whereas a normal ticket entry price would start from 5€, dependent on how many floors you choose to visit.