Family activities in Marseille

In Marseille, there are many places to swim, you’ll find sandy beaches, pebbles beaches or even rocks to play stuntmen…But to enjoy your family in complete safety, choose the beaches that are easily accessible and supervised, such as the Catalan beach, the Prado beaches, the Pointe Rouge beach or the Corbières beaches.

Are you looking for a green and fresh place to spend some time with your family ? Discover the parks and gardens of Marseille. There are more than sixty of them, spread throughout the city. For the first time this year, the “Parc Borély” will host a Food Truck village from the 10 of July to 31st of August, enough to delight many during the picnic break !

This summer, take to the sea with your family, far from the hustle and bustle of Marseille. Set sail on an exceptional sailing boat for an unforgettable day of relaxation and swimming. Discover the “Calanques of Marseille” as you have never seen them before!

The museums of Marseille are free, in addition to the varied collections and temporary exhibitions, some offer activities for young people during the holidays, the themes are varied and often in line with the place visited. (Mucem, Château de la Buzine, Château Borely, Regards de Provence etc …) A very nice exhibition on the work of the contemporary artist  Jeff Koons is currently taking place at the” Mucem”, the children will certainly appreciate it !

For fans of “Olympique de Marseille” or for the curious, the “Orange Vélodrome Stadium” offers tours of the sport ground.  The stadium has the advantage of being close to the city centre. The visit of the stadium is fun and immersive, you will go through the changing rooms, the press conference room and you will enter to the pitch through the entrance of the players with the famous music of Van Halen to the Marseille fans. Moreover, if you are accompanying your children and you are  a fan of the Rolling Stones, until the 5 of September, an exceptional exhibition une exposition exceptionnelle is taking place in the stadium, the perfect combo to satisfy the whole family !

A unique place, a fortress facing the city. 30 minutes from the “Vieux-Port” by boat, the “Château d’If offers a breathtaking view of the bay of Marseille. Made famous by “Alexandre Dumas in ” Le Comte de Monté Cristo”, the If Castle ” Château d’If” has had several functions in its past ! Come and discover all its mysteries with your family ! Throughout the summer, tours for young people  visites destinées au jeune public are offered.

A fun and cultural visit, plus you can take home a nice souvenir of Marseille! What could be more “Marseillais  than Marseille soap”! Children will love it and will be able to learn all about the making and secret of the famous soap.

If there is one thing to see in Marseille, it is the famous basilica Notre-Dame de la Garde ! All the means are good to go up there, on foot ( count 20 good minutes from the “Vieux-Port”), by bike, by bus (N°60),  but the ideal if you have children, it is with the small tourist train, this one takes you on the “Vieux-Port” and leads you directly to the “Good Mother”!

Did you know that Marseille is a famous place for Stree-Art ? Well  yes, renowned street artists are increasingly making a stopover in the city of Marseille and festivals and other events are held every year in Marseille. The two key districts are le Panier and le Cours Julien. A family guided tour, the street-art in the “Cours Julien” is even proposed since several years by the Tourist Office of Marseille, it explains to the youngest this art and its techniques.

Is it time for a snack? For a change from eternal ice cream ( certainly refreshing during the summer heat) go to the other end of Marseille, to  l’Estaque, to taste a ” specialité Marseillaise” ! The  “Chichis fregis” ! A real family outing ! First of all, take the Navette maritime on the “Vieux-Port”, it will take you straight to the port of  ” l’Estaque”( district of Marseille), the crossing lasts 35 minutes and there are departures every hour( it runs from April to September). When you arrive, head for one of the “Baraques Chichis Frégis”! A treat! and if you feel like it, you can try  les Panisses !

“Come and see my beautiful scorpion fish “! is what you are likely to hear if you take a walk along the “Vieux-Port” in the morning. As a family, it is best to go a little early, when the fishermen are arriving, the crowds are not yet there and the sun is not yet beating down. A real “Marseillaise immersion”, the market takes place every day from 8am to 1pm. Take a walk with your family and then head for the Town Hall  to make the world’s shortest boat crossing ever known, about 283 metres! Cross the harbour with the famous  fameux Ferry-Boat ! The crossing costs 0.50€ and lasts a few minutes.