Plan a CruiseMarseille is France's most frequented cruise port, offering a vibrant gateway to Provence. Cruise ships dock at different terminals, so it's essential to confirm your specific dock with your cruise line. Smaller and medium-sized vessels often use the Joliette terminals, which are conveniently close to the city center. Larger ships typically dock at the Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal (MPCT).
MPCT is approximately 8 km from the city center and is not pedestrian-friendly for walking into town. The Vieux Port (Old Port) serves as the primary hub for tourist activity in Marseille, bustling with fishing boats, yachts, restaurants, and shops. It's an excellent starting point for exploring the old city, including the shopping street La Canebière, the historic Le Panier district, and the iconic Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica.
Getting Around from the Port
From the MPCT (Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal), which is 8 km from the city center, you have several transportation options:
- Taxi: A taxi to the Old Port will cost approximately 17 Euro.
- Paid Cruise Shuttle: Many cruise lines offer a shuttle service directly to the Vieux Port for about 11 Euro.
- Free Shuttle: Just outside the port gate, a free shuttle service operates every 20 minutes, dropping passengers about 300 meters from the Vieux Port. This is often a more economical alternative to cruise line shuttles, though it requires a short walk.
- Public Bus (RTM): From the port, it's a 20-minute walk (follow the green line on the ground) to catch City Bus No. 35. Take this bus to the Joliette terminus, then transfer to Bus No. 55, which goes to the Old Port. The fare is 1.90 Euro, payable to the driver.
- Princess Cruises Shuttle: Travelers on Sun Princess have a dedicated shuttle service for $16 (USD) for a day pass, running from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Pick-up and drop-off is at Gare Maritime de la Major, in front of the Major Cathedral. Tickets can be purchased via the Princess app or Stateroom TV.
- From St-Charles Railway Station: If arriving by train, taxis can easily take you to your cruise terminal. The address for GPS users is Place de la Joliette, Marseille. From Marseille-Provence Airport, a shuttle bus to St-Charles railway station costs 8.50 Euro.
Attractions and Activities
In Marseille:
- Vieux Port (Old Port): The heart of Marseille, ideal for strolling along the quays, enjoying seafood, and browsing shops. A daily fish market operates at the Quai des Belges (now Quai de la Fraternité) every morning. A small ferry also crosses the port.
- Le Panier District: North of the Vieux Port, this hilly district is Marseille's oldest area. Explore its narrow streets, steep stairways, and ancient, pastel-colored houses.
- Notre-Dame de la Garde: Marseille's most famous landmark, a stunning neo-Byzantine basilica offering panoramic city views. It's a steep climb via twisting streets and steps to reach it.
- Abbaye de St-Victor: A fascinating double-decker church, once a powerful abbey in the South. Located at 3 rue de l'Abbaye, it's worth the climb.
- Cours Julien: South of La Canebière, this bohemian area (known as the 'cours Ju') features fashion boutiques, bookshops, terrace cafés, and music venues.
- Petits Trains Touristiques: These tourist trains offer narrated circuits of Marseille. They depart from the Quai des Belges at the end of the Old Port (near the Tourist Office and where the free port shuttle drops off).
- Train 1 (Notre-Dame de la Garde): A 50-minute trip via Vieux Port and Abbaye de St-Victor. Runs Jan-Nov from 10:00 AM; every 30 minutes in summer.
- Train 2 (Vieux Marseille): A 40-minute trip via Cathédrale, La Vieille Charité, and Quartier du Panier. Runs Easter-Oct from 10:15 AM; hourly in summer.
- Note: Between 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM, trains only run if there are at least 10 passengers.
- Marseille Le Grand Tour (Hop-on/off): This service also starts from the Quai des Belges, offering flexibility to explore at your own pace.
- Château d'If: Visit the 16th-century island prison, famous from "The Count of Monte Cristo." Ferries depart hourly from the Vieux Port's Quai de la Fraternité, with a 20-minute journey each way.
Day Trips from Marseille:
- Aix-en-Provence: Take the port shuttle to the Old Port, then walk or take the Métro to St-Charles train station. From there, you can take a train (45 minutes, twice an hour, 9 Euro one way) or Bus 50 (35 minutes, approx. 6 Euro one way, every 5 minutes). Tickets for the bus can be bought on board.
- Arles: Reachable by train from St-Charles station in approximately 1.5 hours.
- Avignon: Reachable by train from St-Charles station in approximately 1 hour.
Dining & Shopping
The Vieux Port is a prime location for dining and shopping. You'll find numerous seafood restaurants, cafés, and shops lining its quays. The Quai des Belges hosts a daily fish market every morning. La Canebière is a major shopping street, and the Cours Julien area offers bohemian fashion boutiques and bookshops.
Marseille's cuisine is famous for dishes like bouillabaisse, a traditional fish stew. Most larger shops and businesses operate from 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM or 7:30 PM, Monday through Saturday. Smaller shops might close for lunch between 12:30 PM and 2:00 PM and often open Tuesday to Saturday. Bakeries and food shops are usually open on Sundays until noon.