What to do in Marseille in autumn?

Yes, it’s official: the summer season has come to an end. It’s time to pull out the first sweaters, but don’t panic: in Marseille, the cold is all in your head! The cultural, sporting and gastronomic activities continue, with as varied an offer as ever. Discover our suggestions for a mild and colorful autumn.

Published on 18 October 2023

Anne Dallaporta

Marseille in 3 words

Surprising, endearing and colourful.
My tourist secret (hush only for friends)

The park nestled behind the Saména cove, at the entrance to the Calanques. A hidden and quiet green space, full of flowers, with a view over the sea, the ideal place for a picnic with friends or family in any season.

Outdoor activities in autumn light

Swimming is now reserved for the more adventurous, but there are still plenty of opportunities for a breath of fresh air! From the seaside to the cobbled streets of the city, you can choose from a wide range of activities on the Marseille Experience website: an electric bike tour along the Corniche to Les Goudes district, or a scooter tour for a change of pace, or even a sidecar tour with a little blanket on your lap for those who are a little chilly. You can also climb the calanques to find the best coves for next summer, learn about the history of Marseille while having fun in treasure hunts or Escape games for all the family, or learn how to brew your own beer…

For the more cerebral types looking for new insights into their city or district, guided tours will enable you to discover little-known areas such as Mazargues, Vauban and l’Estaque, or explore special themes such as street art, gastronomy, architecture, biodiversity, etc. Not forgetting Le Corbusier’s timeless Cité Radieuse, which can be visited all year round!

Discover all our activities

Preparing for Christmas early

As we all know, nobody is a fan of the frenzy that sweeps through the shops from December 1st onwards. The solution? Plan ahead and do your shopping in October! And in Marseille, the choice is varied. To be sure of finding a gift that’s as original as it is useful, wander around France’s oldest hardware store, Maison Empereur. In this life-size Ali Baba’s cave, you’ll find items for the kitchen, bathroom, garden, art of living, etc. There’s a good chance you’ll leave with a heavier bag and a lighter wallet!

For 100% traditional Marseille souvenirs, there are several options. Start by visiting one of the many Marseille soap shops, such as La Corvette, La Licorne or Le Fer à Cheval, where you can take home soaps in the scent of your choice. Would you like to introduce your parents to pétanque to liven up family barbecues? Buy your own personalised boules and jacks from Boule Bleue, in the emblematic Panier district. For Granny, who will be wishing her a warm and healthy winter, don’t hesitate to visit Père Blaize‘s herbalist’s shop: its curative herbal teas, made from herbs from all over the world, will put everyone on the same wavelength. Finally, there’s nothing better for your little brother who’s just turned 18 than a visit to the MX boutique and its many Ricard-coloured products (from flocked bottles to pastis terrines).

For sports fans (real and fake)

Like every year, the legendary Marseille – Cassis race returns on the last Sunday of October. It’s a real 21km half-marathon, with the Gineste hill to overcome, but with a view that’s out of this world! As the name suggests, the runners will join the 2 towns bordering the Parc National des Calanques, with a view of Marseille at the start, and a view of Cassis at the finish, plus supporters all along the route who will also be enjoying the scenery. What more could you ask for?

For those who prefer to watch sport rather than play it, we remind you that tickets to see OM at the stadium are available from the official OM ticket office, an experience not to be missed whether you’re a local or just passing through!

Cultural break

As usual, the range of cultural events on offer is constantly being renewed, much to our delight. Autumn is full of surprises for all art lovers.

Discover the Mucem and wander around the site as you please, taking in the Fort Saint Jean, the Place d’Armes and the terrace. Take a journey through the immense collection of this exceptional museum.

Next door at the Musée Regards de Provence, immerse yourself in the Provencal countryside and Marseilles coast as it was in the 19th and 20th centuries. A journey through the world of the fauvist, expressionist and symbolist painters of the time.

In neighbouring Aix-en-Provence, Mucha, the master of Art Nouveau, will be in the spotlight at the Hôtel de Caumont from 17 November 2023 to 24 March 2024. More than 120 works from the Mucha Foundation will be on display in this exhibition of beauty and harmony.

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