Ideas for going out in Marseille during the winter holidays

Discover or rediscover the city with your family

Guided tours

During the school holidays, the Tourist Office offers guided tours and activities for all the family. Discover street art in the Cours Julien district, take a fun tour of Le Corbusier’s Cité Radieuse, take a storytelling tour of the legendary Massalia, or play a treasure hunt in the Panier district or at Notre-Dame de la Garde. Do your children prefer playing detective? Come and investigate and find out who’s plotting against the Sun King!
There’s so much to see that it’s well worth the diversions!

Invader was here

Take your kids on a Space Invader discovery tour of Marseille and turn your walk into a real urban treasure hunt! These colourful little mosaics, inspired by the famous retro video game, are hidden all over the city. Street artist Invader installed his works in the city several years ago, and there are now almost 97 of them. To start your hunt, head to the roof terrace of Le Corbusier’s Cité Radieuse, where Invader’s Marseilles adventure began. It’s up to you!

Discover the city in a different way

How about discovering Marseille in a different way? Go for a ride on a Tuk Tuk, an electric bike or a scooter, all original ways to experience the city in a fun way. Or would you rather explore on foot? Try an outdoor escape game, a fun and interactive way to explore Marseille with your family or friends.
Marseille is full of unusual and unmissable activities, so you’re bound to find one that’s just right for you!

Take to the high seas

On a sunny winter’s day, set sail and discover the Count of Monte Cristo on the island of Château d’If! Just 30 minutes by boat from the Old Port, the Château d’If offers a breathtaking view over the bay of Marseille. During the holidays, you and your family can discover all the mysteries of the island! (Beware of the weather! on windy or bad weather days, the boat does not leave the Old Port!)

Find out more about the “if en famille” tour

The not-to-be-missed Notre-Dame de la Garde

If there’s one thing you have to see in Marseille, it’s our famous Good Mother, Notre-Dame de la Garde, which towers high above the city! You can get there by foot (it takes a good 20 minutes from the Vieux-Port), by bike (you’ll need good calves) or by bus (N°60), but the ideal way to go with children is undoubtedly on the little tourist train, which you can catch from the Vieux-Port and takes you straight to the foot of the Basilica!

Book your ticket for the little train

Want to get moving?

Head to the Bowl at l’escale Borely or the playground at the Friche Belle de Mai, or the skate park at the Palais de la Glisse, where your kids will have a blast skating, rollerblading and BMXing! And if they’re more the Tarzan type, why not take them on a tree climbing trip and join them in their acrobatics?

Winter is here… so why not try a winter sport like ice skating! Head to the Palais omnisports Marseille Grand-Est to enjoy an ice rink worthy of the Olympic Games! You can even watch a match by Marseille’s ice hockey team, Les Spartiates!

Is the weather not cooperating?

Don’t panic! Whether it’s raining, windy or cold, there’s never a dull moment in Marseille!

Indoor amusement parks for children and teenagers

For younger children, Royal Kid and Magic City are real playgrounds! Children can let off steam in giant play structures, to their great delight. For teenagers, Full in Park and KIP offer indoor multi-purpose areas with go-karting (indoor), laser games, bowling and giant trampolines. Perfect for having fun whatever the weather.
Discover all the indoor leisure parks in Marseille

Escape games: an immersive family adventure

Marseille has plenty of escape games to suit all tastes: Harry Potter worlds, mysterious investigations, cinematic scenarios or more frightening experiences for thrill-seekers. From the most intriguing to the most terrifying, children and teenagers are bound to find an adventure to suit them. Among the must-sees are Time Out, Panic Room and Dark Dreams.

For the more adventurous: family climbing in Marseille

The climbing walls are not to be outdone! Suitable for all levels, including the very young, Marseille’s climbing gyms offer fun and challenge for the whole family, in complete safety. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced climber, you’re bound to find a gym to suit your level among the many indoor climbing facilities in Marseille.
All the climbing gyms in Marseille

For older kids: e-sport in virtual reality

EVA (E.sports Virtual Arena) is an ideal activity for teenagers and fans of new technologies! In a 500m² space, equipped with a virtual reality headset, players immerse themselves in a life-size video game and move around freely in immersive virtual worlds. It’s an innovative, immersive experience that will appeal to teenagers and adults alike.