Top family activities this summer

Marseille’s museums open their doors wide to families during the summer months. In addition to their varied collections and temporary exhibitions, some offer activities for young visitors during the school vacations, with fun and educational themes often linked to the world of the place visited.(Mucem, Château de la Buzine, Château Borely, Regards de Provence etc.) All summer long, discover the current exhibitions.

This summer, don’t miss out on some original experiences either: plunge into the fascinating world of the Musée de l’Illusion, which will turn your senses upside down! And if your children are LEGO® fans, head for The Art of the Brick exhibition: over 100 impressive sculptures made from thousands of bricks await you.

Are you looking for a cool, green spot to spend some family time? Discover Marseille’s parks and gardens. There are over sixty of them throughout the city.

For fans ofOlympique de Marseille or simply for the curious, the Orange Vélodrome stadium offers tours. This emblematic venue has the advantage of being close to the city center. The stadium tour is fun and immersive, as you pass through the changing rooms, the press conference room, and even enter the pitch through the official players’ entrance.

Discover the magic of prehistory with your family in the replica of the Cosquer Cave at Villa Méditerranée. Immerse yourself in a unique adventure where you can explore this historic marvel, reproduced identically on a surface area of almost 2,000 m². Let the self-contained modules transport you through the cave’s galleries and marvel at the ancient paintings and engravings. After your exploration, a captivating documentary tells the story of this extraordinary discovery. An educational and entertaining outing that will delight young and old alike.

It’s a fun and cultural visit, and you’ll be able to take home a beautiful souvenir of Marseille! What could be more Marseille than Marseille soap! Kids will love it, and they’ll be able to tell you all about how the famous soap is made and its secrets.

This summer, take to the open seas with your family, far from the hustle and bustle of Marseille, and set sail aboard an exceptional sailboat, catamaran or smaller craft for anunforgettable day or half-day ofrelaxation and swimming, and discover the Calanques and the harbor of Marseille as you’ve never seen them before.

A unique place, a fortress facing the city. Just 30 minutes by boat from the Old Port, the Château d’If offers a breathtaking view over the bay of Marseille. Made famous by Alexandre Dumas in The Count of Monte Cristo, the Château d’If has had many functions in the past! Come and discover all its mysteries with your family! All summer long, tours for young visitors are offered.

If there’s one thing you’ve got to see in Marseille, it’s the famous Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde! You can get there by foot (allow a good 20 minutes from the Old Port), by bike or by bus (N°60), but if you’ve got kids, the best way is to take the little tourist train, which you can catch on the Old Port and which takes you straight to the Good Mother!

There are plenty of places to swim in Marseille, with sandy beaches, pebble beaches and rocky outcrops where you can play stuntman… But if you want the whole family to enjoy themselves, choose beaches that are easily accessible and supervised, such as Plage des Catalans, Plage du Prado, Plage de la Pointe Rouge or Plage de Corbières in L’Estaque.
If you prefer small coves or just want to cool off, Marseille is full of wonderful places to discover!

All summer long, we’re organizing fun-filled guided tours of Marseille’s neighborhoods!

Did you know that Marseille is famous for its street art? Yes, more and more renowned street artists (Invaders, Banksy…) are stopping off in the Cité Phocéenne. The 2 key street-art districts are the Panier and Cours Julien. For several years now, the Tourist Office has been offering a guided family tour of street art on the Cours Julien, explaining this art form and its techniques to younger visitors.

La Cité Radieuse, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a must-see in Marseille! To learn about the history of this site in a fun and entertaining way, we’re offering tours until August. A perfect family visit to discover this historic site!
But there’s much more to discover with your family in Marseille!

Time for a snack? For a change from the eternal ice cream (certainly refreshing in the summer heat), head to the other end of Marseille, to l’Estaque, for a taste of a local speciality! Chichis fregis! A real family outing! Start by taking the maritime shuttle on the Vieux-Port, which will take you straight to the port of l’Estaque. The crossing takes 35 minutes, with departures every hour (operating from April to September). Once there, head for one of the Fregis chichis “barracks”! A real treat! And if you feel like it, you can also try the Panisses!

“Come and see my beautiful scorpion fish! That’s what you’re likely to hear if you take a morning stroll along the Old Port. If you’re a family, it’s best to go a little early, when the fishermen are arriving, the crowds aren’t yet there and the sun isn’t yet beating down. A true Marseille immersion, the market takes place every day from 8am to 1pm. Take a stroll with the family, then head for the town hall to make the world’s shortest boat crossing, some 283 meters long! Cross the harbor on the famous Ferry-Boat! The crossing costs €0.50 and takes just a few minutes.