What does it take to be original? To stand out in a sea of standouts? To be something new in a destination where every step ticks something off the bucket list.
For Marseille, it just means being itself; sea urchins and all (more on that later).
You see, anyone who’s been to France has noticed a few things that its regions have in common: elegant beauty, charming culture, exquisite cuisine, and…you guessed it, wine.
But every country has a freethinker. A place that wants to put a different spin on things. To give it some genuine Mediterranean spirit. To make history as its oldest city. And to be a cosmopolitan gateway to both its unexpected heritage and some of its most unique experiences.
In France, that city is Marseille. And here’s why it deserves your attention.
France’s Mediterranean Original
Founded around 600 BC by Greek sailors, Marseille is the oldest city in France, and perhaps one of its most overlooked.
Long before Paris defined elegance and Bordeaux defined wine, Marseille defined movement. It was a trading port, a meeting point, a maritime mecca at a crossroads of continents.
Today, that layered identity remains. North African spices mingle with Provençal herbs. Fishing boats dock beside sleek yachts. Basilicas rise above bustling alleyways.
Marseille is not polished perfection; it is textured authenticity. And for travelers seeking France beyond the expected, it is a revelation.
Marseille ranks in the top 10 of sunniest cities in Europe, with an average of 266.1 sun hours per month. So, bring your sunglasses!
The Smartest Port of Call
You know how all roads lead to Rome? Well, the seas lead to Marseille.
As one of the Mediterranean’s major cruise hubs, Marseille offers remarkable strategic value for advisors seeking unique pre/post cruise options. More than a mere port of call, its maritime heritage instantly fills you with the pride of a prosperous sea merchant, elevating the voyage with lingering sea air, Provençal flavors, and vibrant Mediterranean culture.
Just two or three pre- or post-cruise nights here have the potential to offer travelers:
- Authentic Mediterranean allure
- Coastal landscapes just minutes from the city
- A culinary identity to rival the Riviera’s
Marseille On and Off the Coast
Marseille is not meant to be skimmed. It is meant to be explored: by land, by sea, and more often than not, through appetite. And here is what it serves up.
Along the Coast — Marseille & Cassis
Pair Marseille’s textured charm with the elegance of nearby Cassis. Explore Le Panier, admire Notre-Dame de la Garde, and browse the Vieux-Port before tracing the coastline to Cassis’ pastel harbor; perhaps pausing for bouillabaisse (Marseille’s iconic fish soup) by the sea.
By Sea— The Calanques or Frioul Islands
Venture into Calanques National Park, where limestone cliffs plunge into turquoise coves just minutes from the city (ideal for private boat charters, swimming, or guided hikes). Alternatively, sail to the Frioul Islands for a quieter maritime escape of rocky inlets and crystalline waters.
Beyond the Port
More than a gateway to the Mediterranean, Marseille also serves as a natural springboard into Provence. Discover Aix-en-Provence’s fountains and markets, the limestone drama of the Alpilles and Les Baux-de-Provence, or follow Van Gogh’s footsteps in Saint-Rémy amid the landscapes that inspired his work.
A Place and a Time for Celebration
As if it needs any more ways to stand out, Marseille also knows how to party. And when it does, here are some of the celebrations that travelers may be fortunate enough to join.
- Sea Urchin Season (Oursinade) — January to March
This is Marseille at its most authentic and delicious. During sea urchin season, waterfront tables fill with locals cracking open freshly harvested oursins, their briny sweetness paired with chilled Cassis whites. And don’t let their prickly appearance fool you, for they’re actually quite tender on the inside (the urchins, not the locals).
- Marseille Jazz des Cinq Continents — July
For those looking to add a new chanson to their repertoire, this highly respected European jazz festival brings internationally acclaimed artists to atmospheric open-air venues. To a refined clientele, this offers culture without crowds, music beneath Provençal skies, and an elegant evening layered with artistry and ambiance.
- Festival de Marseille — June to July
An eponymously named celebration of a city like Marseilles is bound to be unlike any other, and it sure is. A multidisciplinary celebration of dance, theater, and contemporary performance staged in architecturally striking settings. This is Marseille’s creative renaissance on display: dynamic, international, and culturally sophisticated.
Effortless Extensions Across France
One of Marseille’s greatest strengths is not just its originality, but its connectivity. Perfectly positioned in the south of France, it becomes a natural launching pad for deeper exploration into some of its most enchanting regions, including the ones below.
- The French Riviera
Refine Marseille’s personality with Nice, Monaco, and the Riviera’s cinematic coastline. An elegant contrast to its maritime soul. - Provence
Venture inland to Aix-en-Provence and the Alpilles for lavender fields, Roman heritage, olive groves, and vineyard tastings in golden countryside light. - Burgundy
For epicurean travelers, pair Mediterranean flavor with Grand Cru refinement in Dijon and the Côte d’Or. - Paris
Just over three hours by high-speed rail, the capital offers a seamless cultural crescendo, making for a journey of striking cultural contrasts.
Where to Stay in Marseille
Perched along the Corniche Kennedy with uninterrupted Mediterranean views, 4-star Les Bords de Mer offers an intimate Art Deco escape just minutes from the Vieux-Port. A refined seaside retreat where contemporary design meets salt-kissed serenity.
Overlooking the Vieux-Port, this elegant heritage address has welcomed the likes of Chopin and George Sand. Blending 5-star refinement and Provençal warmth in the historic heart of Marseille, this is where past and present quietly coexist.
A legendary, family-run 5-star seaside hideaway since 1917, Le Petit Nice offers Michelin-starred gastronomy and uninterrupted views toward the Frioul Islands and Château d’If. Exclusive, intimate, and deeply rooted in Marseille’s maritime soul.
Marseille — A Different Kind of France
Marseille doesn’t aspire to Parisian chic or the Riviera’s glamour. It simply exists; salt in its air, history in its bones, and a horizon that has welcomed civilizations for over two millennia.
For advisors seeking something unexpected yet unmistakably French, Marseille is where France loosens its collar, turns toward the sea, and reveals a contrast brighter than its coasts.
Born to be different, Marseille isn’t an alternative to France’s icons, it is the one that changes how your travelers see them.