Excursions in Marseille

Marseille is one of the largest ports in France and along the entire Mediterranean coast. Located on the coast of the Gulf of Lyon in the Provence region, it is a unique blend of maritime and Provencal romantic appeal. During the tours here the tourists can breathe healing sea air and admire ancient architecture, and wonderful landscapes, as well as get into the spirit of ancient Greek legends and literary characters of Dumas.

The origins of the city history go back to the ancient Greek settlement of Massalia on the Gulf Coast. During a sightseeing tourof Marseille the guides will surely tell some fascinating legends about its origins. You can see the vestige of a long history of Marseille with your own eyes by visiting the "Garden of Ruins", a unique archaeological park with preserved parts of ancient buildings. Listening to the stories of the English-speaking guide, you can easily imagine the history of ancient seamen who founded their settlement on picturesque coastal hills.

The best place to start a sightseeing tour is at the Old Port, the most picturesque spot of Marseille. The ancient harbour perfectly captures the maritime romanticism of Provence and is a good location to amble. A neighborhood tour route usually includes athe following:

• St. John's Fort located on the northern edge of the Old Port and available for visitors only when exhibitions are held there;
• St. Nicholas Fort on the southern edge of Old Harbour;
• St. Victor's Basilica, the oldest temple in the city, near the southern fort;
• fish market, where you can buy fresh seafood.

On the hills above the Old Port stretches the Old Town, a picturesque area of Marseille. To the north of the Old Port is the Le Panier area with its narrow streets and steep staircases. It is also often called the "Montmartre of Marseille." From the harbour, you can also walk along La Canebière Avenue, which runs through most of Marseille. At the end of it is the Longchamp Palace, which houses several city museums.

In the Old Port you can book a sea tour of Marseille's main attraction. It is from here that ferries and private excursion boats depart for the Frioul archipelago, on one of the islands of which the iconic Château d'If is located. Individual tour in English is the best way to get acquainted with the real history of this fortress and the fantasies that enveil it.

Within Marseille proper you should definitely take a walk with a guide through the majestic ancient temples representing the main architectural treasures of the city. These sacred places include the following:

• The Abbey of Saint-Victor (5th century), more like a castle than an abbey;
• The Basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde (19th century), in Neo-Byzantine style, is the highest observation deck in the city;
• The Cathedral of the Virgin Mary – the oldest and still active temple in Provence.

Another signature attraction in Marseille is the Calanque National Park, sometimes called the "French Fjords." The calanques are hidden rocky bays that surround the entire Marseille coast. All of them are divided into several different groups, to each of which there are separate walking routes.

The best way to get to know Marseille's calanques is to use the services of a local tour guide. It is also possible to order a boat trip to these places from the Old Port, but in this case it is not possible to make a landing.