Are you a fan of outdoor activities? These seven outings in and around Marseille will keep you busy all summer long!
The Phocaean city is one of France’s leading tourist destinations, and the people of Marseille are still very proud of their beloved city. And rightly so, since a stroll along the Vieux-Port, a visit to the Bonne Mère or a stroll along the Canebière is enough to prove them right: Marseille is a little treasure in the south of the country and well worth a visit!
Whether you’re living here or staying for a few days, Marseille is full of things to do on site or in the surrounding area. And since we’re by the sea, there’s no better way to make the most of it! Here are just a few of the things you can do on your own, with family or friends in the Bouches-du-Rhône département!
1. The Docks of Marseille
Photo credit: Facebook – Les Docks Village
If you’ve never passed through their gates, you’re bound to be familiar with their name. Emblems and symbols of the city, Marseille’s docks have been one of the city’s must-see sites for centuries.
Paulin Talabot drew his inspiration for this new economic crossroads from London. This French engineer, the driving force behind the Paris-Lyon-Marseille railroads, built the Marseille Docks in La Joliette in 1856, after nearly 20 years’ work, with the aim of promoting maritime trade. Known as the « Compagnie des docks et entrepôts the project gave rise to a veritable business zone, a 365-meter-long building with 52 doors and 4 courtyards, where cargo ships could moor in the dedicated mooring area, facilitating loading/unloading in the various cargo warehouses with a storage capacity of 15,000 tons. Customs/company offices and railroad tracks for the Lyon-Pris line were also built, making the Docks the economic Second Empire of the Cité Phocéenne.
This glory was short-lived, and with the onset of the Second World War, the Compagnie des Docks began to draw to a close. Victims of aeronautical competition and relocation, the Docks folded up store, so to speak. It wasn’t until 1991, after being transformed into the « Caisse des dépôts et consignations » and subjected to various rehabilitation projects, that the Docks were given a new face by Eric Castaldi. A young architect of 35, the native of Marseilles responded to the Euroméditerranée project, transforming the site into a veritable business district: in all, 3,000 people and 220 companies took up residence there over the years, giving a new dynamic to the former industrial hub. Less austere, brighter and, above all, modernized with atriums and glass roofs, the historic building became an agora.
Photo credit: Flickr – Fred Romero
Although the Docks were thought to be in their heyday, the idea was far from over. A new century, a new lease of life! A veritable field of possibilities, Marseille’s Docks have since undergone a renaissance in just a few short years, now housing shops/bars/restaurants and hosting museums and cultural events, including the first edition of Fiesta des Suds in 1992.
2015 sees the latest revolution in the form of Docks-Village. A new-generation concept designed to create a unique living space where cosmopolitan atmospheres and worlds offer a completely different vision of commerce. Open to all and for all, Docks Village is now a true living space, where relaxation and shopping illustrate a range of businesses of all kinds. Now, three spaces based on the themes of the Port (music, catering, design), the Market (local and organic produce, bookshops, halls, art spaces), and the Village with its boutiques and personal services cohabit together on two levels and 17,000 square meters of living space.
At the end of these last 300 M€ invested, a certain power, a real spirit draws the portrait of the Docks, as depicted by the architect Alfonso Femia, in charge of the renovation. And with good reason: having added a new string to their already singular bow, the Docks de Marseille have something that makes them almost… immortal. Synonymous with the field of possibilities, a muse in their own right, they have told the city’s story over the centuries, even giving it several lives. A unique picture that Marseille hopes will attract some 10 million visitors a year.
2. Flying over the Calanques
Photo credit: Flickr -Claire TRESSE
Aboard a helicopter or microlight, alone or in a group, you can discover the natural splendor of the famous calanques. Departing fromAix-en-Provence, in a small, streamlined aircraft with a professional pilot, you’ll spend an hour in the air, heading from Marseille to Cassis and observing the calanques of Sormiou, Callelongue, Morgiou and Port-Miou.
You can’t miss the Bec de l’Aigle, a rocky peak easily recognized by its equivocal shape and impressive size. You’ll also fly over the town of Cassis, then Cap Canaille, where couples love to stroll for the panoramic views it offers. It’s a trip through the skies over Marseille and the surrounding area that you won’t soon forget!
3. A sunset sailboat trip
Photo credit: Flickr –
marcovdz
To take a step back and appreciate the beauty of Marseille, away from the noise and crowds, take a boat trip, with or without a skipper. To watch the fabulous sunset over the city, take a seat on a 24-meter-long former Breton tuna boat! You’ll take part in a sunset cruise that’s sure to please locals and holidaymakers alike. The crew will be waiting for you to board at 7 p.m., with a return trip scheduled for midnight.
Accommodating up to 30 people, this is an ideal activity for groups of friends or families to spend an evening at sea off the coast of Marseille. To enjoy the beauty of the setting sun, the skipper will take you to a sheltered cove in the Frioul Islands. Depending on the time of year, you’ll have no hesitation in taking a dip!
4. Scuba diving in Carry-le-Rouet
Photo credit: Flickr – Marc LUCZAK
Whether you just want to try scuba diving for the first time, to discover immersion in the open sea with professionals, or even to pass your Level 1 certificate, this aquatic activity is accessible to all! Just 30 minutes from Marseille, the seaside resort of Carry-le-Rouet is a privileged place to observe the seabed, home to impressive marine flora and fauna.
Equipped with scuba tanks, you’ll be able to descend to a depth of 6 meters during your baptism, progressively under the guidance of your instructor. The beauty of the Mediterranean will be right before your eyes!
5. Big-game fishing
Photo credit: Flickr – Jeanne Menjoulet
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced angler, this is sure to be an unforgettable day out at sea, during which you’ll learn all about big-game fishing! You’ll be accompanied by a federal fishing instructor from Fos-sur-mer, whose aim is to teach you the best techniques for catching really big fish! Expect a very sporting experience, because they won’t let you get away with it!
Depending on the fishing spot you choose, the techniques you use and your skill level, you can hope to catch a few rays, swordfish, marlin, sharks or even tuna! As respect for the environment is paramount on this day, your catch will be photographed and released alive.
6. Car racing
Photo credit: Facebook – Cascadevents
On the Fontange circuit in Salon-de-Provence, around 45 minutes from Marseille, you can practice behind the wheel of a luxury sports car from the top brands: Ferrari, Porsche or Lamborghini! These racing cars boast incredible performance, and are available for you to complete your driving course with a state-certified instructor at your side.
With a valid driving license, you can take the controls of a supercar and reveal your hidden talents on the asphalt track. Younger guests, or those with a taste for speed and adrenalin, will appreciate the driving experience, where a real driver will take the wheel of a prestigious sports car. It’s going to be a blast!
7. Snorkeling on the Côte Bleue
Photo credit: Facebook – DUNE Marseille
Don’t fancy a deep-sea swim, but still want to enjoy the splendours of the seabed not far from the coast of Marseille? Then snorkeling is for you! Equipped with flippers, mask and snorkel, you’ll float on the surface and be able to admire what’s going on below without having to fully immerse yourself!
You’ll be able to quietly observe the movement of a starfish, see a pretty octopus venture out of the rocks, spot a few sea urchins and maybe even a grouper. Between the harbor of Marseille and the Etang de Berre, this is a nautical activity for everyone, even the youngest as long as they know how to swim. Perfect for the whole family!
Map of hotels and accommodation – Marseille,fr