marseille cruise terminal address

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Marseille (France Riviera)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Mediterranean - Black Sea

Local Time 2024-04-04 11:07

Port Marseille cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Marseille, France Riviera. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Marseille cruise port is part of Marseille Fos Port - France's largest port. Fos Port is located on the city's northern coastline. Along with its cruise terminals, the port also has ferry terminals that serve the Ro-Ro shipping traffic (cars and passengers) to and from Algeria, Corsica, Sardinia, also Tunisia. Among the port's facilities are also dry docks and shipbuilding yards.

Marseille is part of the French Riviera resort coastline area. The port also is a departure point for Rhone River cruises in Provence and Burgundy - France's main / largest wine regions. In 2018, the cruise port had scheduled 512 ship calls with estimated 1,75+ million passengers. Over 1/3 of cruise ship tourists visit on roundtrips, and most are from the French-speaking source market (France, Belgium, Switzerland).

The list of French Riviera (Cote d'Azur) ports also includes Antibes , Bandol , Cannes , Cassis , Sanary-sur-Mer , St Raphael , St Tropez , Toulon , Villefranche-sur-Mer (Nice) and Monte Carlo (Monaco) .

Vieux Port is Marseille's old port located at the end of La Canebiere (historic street in the city's old quarter). Vieux Port is a natural harbor waterway and is currently the city's most popular (mainly pedestrian) area.

Today, Vieux Port houses a large Yacht Marina, local tour boats terminal and a huge fish market. Vieux Port renovation project's 2nd phase (by the year 2020) includes building nature parks around the port and has budget of EUR 64 million.

Marseille-Fos Port

Marseille is the 5th largest among the Mediterranean turnaround ports (for roundtrip itineraries), France's leading cruise port (and the country's largest seaport) and the world's 16th largest.

Port's location from downtown is 9 km (6 mi). Fos Port is at ~20 min drive distance from the Marseille-Provence airport and at ~20 min drive distance from the MP2 airport (budget flights). The port is also easily accessible by TGV (high-speed trains) from Lyon (90 min), London England (4 1/2 hours) and from Brussels Belgium (5 hours).

Port's cruising season is February through December, but most ship visits are in June-October. In 2013, the cruise port handled 1+ million passengers. During high season, the city is visited by over 16,000 cruise tourists per day.

Statistical data for 2011 showed that over 65% of the world's large-sized cruise liners were in the Mediterranean, making ship repairs a profitable business in the region. Port Marseille's other 2 dry-dock yards operating under concession are No 8 (320 x 50 m / 1050x165 ft) and No 9 (250 x 37 m / 820x121 ft). In 2014, Fos Port's cargo shipping traffic was 78,5 million tons, the number of handled TEU-containers 1,18 million, the number of handled passengers ( ferries and cruise) 2,5+ million.

On July 19, 2011, Marseilles Fos port authority allowed the concession use of "Drydock 10" as a ship-repairing facility for large cruise vessels, container ships and LNG tankers. The dry-dock (operated by the company Chantier Naval de Marseille) has capacity to handle marine vessels with LOA length over 250 m (820 ft). Dock 10 is ranked as Mediterranean's largest - with length 465 m (1525 ft) and width 85 m (280 ft). The drydock became fully operational in late-October 2017. Costa Cruises owns 1/3 of the facility.

In 2015, the cruise port handled nearly 1,5 million passengers. In 2016, Marseille Fos Port handled ~2,7 million passengers (overall), including 1,6 million cruise tourists. Port development works in 2017 (enlargement on the Fos Port's Passe Nord entrance) allowed visits by the world's largest passenger liners . Port's ferry shipping traffic to Corsica and North Africa increased by 2% (to ~1,1 million passengers).

On May 28, 2018, European Investment Bank (EIB) provided Marseille-Fos Port with EUR 50 million (USD 58,5 million) loan to support 5 port infrastructure development projects. The funding was for reorganizing the ferry terminals (serving Corsica and North Africa passenger traffic) and enlarging the Passe Nord (to allow access for larger cruise liners). Among the projects were also developments and enhancements of existing containership-handling facilities.

In July 2019, Marseille Fos Port announced plans to invest EUR 20 million by 2025 to extend shoreside power connections for all berthed passenger ships (ferries and cruise liners) plus the repair quay within the eastern harbor. The technology was first implemented at Corsica Ferries ' quays. The network will be expanded in 2 phases to cover the ferry docks for North Africa and the ship repair hub (by 2022) and the cruise terminal (by 2025). The project was backed by the regional and national government. To further reduce emissions, to all ships Marseille Fos Port introduced speed restrictions of 10 knots (18,5 kph) in port approaches and 8 knots (15 kph) within the harbors.

For season 2019, the cruise port handled 524 ship calls (80 different vessels) and ~1,9 million tourists (passengers plus crew). The season featured 13 newbuilds (2019-launched liners) and 12 maiden calls, as well as 328 roundtrips.

On May 3-4, 2020, in Marseille Fos Port Costa Smeralda carried out France's first ship-to-ship LNG bunkering. During the at-sea operation, the cruise liner was refueled by the LNG carrier Coral Methane (IMO 9404584). The tankship is owned by the Rotterdam Holland -based company Anthony Veder. Port's LNG (fuel) delivery is by Royal Dutch Shell PLC (under contract with Carnival Corporation , the cruise ship owner).

In January 2022, Titan LNG won the tender contract for LNG bunkering services (truck-to-ship LNG supply) in Port Marseille for CORSICA LINEA's LNG-fuelled ferryboat "A Galeotta" (IMO 9891749, 2022-built by Cantiere Navale Visentini). Also in January, TotalEnergies ( CMA-CGM partner) inaugurated a ship-to-containership LNG bunkering. CMA CGM Bali (2021-built boxship, IMO 9867827, capacity 15,000 TEUs) was fueled at Eurofos Container Terminal by Gas Vitality (2021-built LNG bunkering tanker ship).

Cruise itineraries to and from Marseille France

Follows a list of destinations visited by cruise ships leaving out of Marseille:

• Western Mediterranean itineraries on cruises out of Marseille port visit Spain, Italy and France, including ports on French Riviera and Italian Riviera (coastal regions with top-luxury resorts).
• The most commonly operated are 7-day round-trips. Longer itineraries also visit ports in Portugal and North Africa (Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria).
• Most of the Canary Islands itineraries leaving round-trip from Marseille visit North Africa (Morocco), Madeira Island , Gibraltar (UK).
• Short-break (Mini Cruises) from Marseille to Genoa are 3-nights / 4-days long. They are operated by Pullmantur-CDF ships with regular round-trip departures. Also offered are 2-night / 3-day round-trips from Marseille to Barcelona .
• Among the most visited Mediterranean island destinations are Majorca , Menorca , Ibiza , Sicily ( Palermo , Messina ), Corsica ( Ajaccio ), Malta , Sardinia ( Cagliari , Olbia ).
• Repositioning - westbound Transatlantic crossings on ship relocation itineraries out of Marseille are offered in Fall (starting in early November). The one-ways are operated mostly by MSC ships and end up in Florida ports ( Fort Lauderdale , Miami , Port Canaveral , Tampa ) or in the Caribbean island ports Bridgetown (Barbados), Fort de France (Martinique), Pointe A Pitre (Guadeloupe), Havana (Cuba). The longest Transatlantic cruises out of Marseille are on Costa ships repositioning from Europe to South America. They offer disembarkation in either Brazil ( Rio De Janeiro , Santos-Sao Paulo ) or Argentina ( Buenos Aires ). Another possible option is a Transatlantic segment on a westbound World Cruise itinerary (offered mainly by Costa).

Marseille cruise terminal

Marseille cruise port has terminals located at two different areas of the harbor. The small and middle size ships use the Joliette (J4) Terminal berths. They are close to the center of the city.

• UN-LOCODE (United Nations location code) - FRMRS
• port address - "23 place de la Joliette, BP 81965, Marseille, Cedex 2 13226, France"
• port location (GPS coordinates) - N 43° 19' 46", E 5° 20' 45"
• supported by excellent road, rail and air infrastructure
• deep harbor water and berths, sheltered harbor area
• capability to accommodate 8 vessels at a time
• The cruise port is accessible the whole year round – 24/7, 365 days a tear.
• Cruise ships usually arrive in Marseille in the morning (7, 8, 9 am) and depart from Marseille in late afternoon or in the evening (at 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 pm).

Marseille Port Fos cruise terminals

Marseille Provence Cruise Center (MPCC) terminal address is "Port of Marseille - Porte 4 Chemin du Littoral, 13015 Marseille, France". The terminal's GPS coordinates are N 43° 20’ 20’’, E 5° 20’ 53’’

Marseille Provence Cruise Center (Mole Leon Gourret piers) serve the majority of cruise ships docking in Marseille. The terminals are located ~10 km (6 mi) from the old city centre. This terminal has a large-capacity building and is the embarkation point for all round-trip ship departures. The terminal is accessed via Porte 4. To Porte 4 drive on Motorway A55, then take Exit 5 (“Les Ports”) and just follow the traffic signs "Gares Maritimes" and "Croisière". Public transportation option are the RTM bus lines 35 and 36.

The terminal car parking area is available at Gate 4 (Porte 4). The passengers' car parking area is at the Mole Leon Gourret's end (near the MPCC Terminal).

La Joliette pier (J4) serves mega-yachts and smaller ships (with length less than 200 m / 565 ft). J4 is located near the Old Port, the city centre, the La Major Cathedral and the “le Panier” historic district. The terminal's position provides cruise ship passengers with quick access to downtown (at few minutes walking distance).

Marseille Provence Airport is located around 27 km / 17 mi (or 1/2 hour drive distance) northwest of the cruise port and 9 km (6 mi) from the city centre. Shuttle bus lines run every 20 min from the airport to the St Charles train station daily (between 5 am - 11 pm). Drive distance is approx 30 min. A taxi from from the train station to the cruise ship terminals costs about EURO 20. Occasionally, the port also provides a free shuttle bus line to the city.

The Marseille port's ferry terminals serve all 4 companies leaving out of Marseille to the islands of Corsica and Sardinia, also to north Africa (Algeria and Tunisia). These companies are Maritima Ferries ((fka SNCM), CMN (aka La Méridionale), Algerie Ferries and CTN (Tunisia Ferries).

• Mole Leon Gourret piers are used by bigger-sized vessels. The second terminal is 4,5 km (3 mi) from Vieux Port.
• Marseille port's Cruise Terminal 19 has 2 piers and it is located to the jetty entrance.
• Marseille-Provence Cruise Terminal is 1,5 km (1 mi) further on. This is the newer terminal with a renovated building.
• All terminals don't offer many facilities. Available are several ATM and a cafeteria. To leave you luggage passengers have to use the Marseille Saint Charles station. There is one souvenir shop on the quayside – marche des croisieristes.
• Old Harbor: located on the west side. Today, The Vieux Port serves only sports craft and fishing boats.
• La Canebière: the broad highway begins at the harbour and it is the principal traffic artery. You will see the busy traffic of the inner city.
• Marseilles Bourse: close to Marseille cruise port (Canebiere left side), it is a stock exchange. The building dates from 1860.
• Musée d’Histoire de Marseille: inside the Marseilles Bourse. Discover historic exhibition.
• Musée Cantini: located on 19 rue Grignan, south of the busy Canebière. Discover collection of old porcelain and applied art from the 20th century.
• Boulevard Longchamp Area: visit the Musée Grobet-Labadie and the Palais Longchamp.
• Palais Longchamp: built in the period 1862 – 1869 by Espérandieu. There is a Zoological Garden behind it.
• Musée des Beaux Arts: discover paintings from the 16th – 17th century by Rubens and Perugino. Enjoy the works of Mignard, Serre and Puget. The museum shows works and sculptures by Honoré Daumier, famous caricaturist.
• Musée Grobet-Labadié: Madame Grobet gave the mansion to the town. There you will see beautiful furniture, musical instruments, ceramics, medieval tapestries and sculptures.
• Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde: located south of the city. The limestone is 154 m tall and gives great panoramic view. The Basilique Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde is a famous city landmark.

Marseille tours, shore excursions, hotels

City tours and shore excursions.

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• Access to Marseille Cruise Port
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• Access and practical information

Find all the practical information to access the Marseille cruise port from the airport, the Saint-Charles train station and also with your personal vehicle. Are you stopping over in Marseille? We’ll tell you all about the free shuttle bus that takes you to the Joliette district.

Getting to the cruise port

From marseille provence airport, transfer organised by the cruise company.

Some cruise companies provide transfers from Marseille Provence Airport to the boarding terminal concerned ( contact your travel agency).

Taxi transfer

This is the fastest and most frequent route to the terminals from Marseille Provence Airport. More information on taxi transfers

Transfer by public transport

Warning! No direct connection between Marseille Provence Airport and the Cruise Terminals. The shuttle bus is direct between the airport and the train station. Travel time is 25 minutes under normal traffic conditions. (up to 50 minutes during rush hour).

From Saint-Charles train station

By public transport.

Take the  Métro Line 2 (red) towards  “Gèze” and get off at the  “Joliette” stop. On the  Place de la Joliette, the bus n°35 T (which can be picked up  next The Docks Village), takes you near the Cruise ship, at the entrance of the Cruise Port  (Gate 4). The stop name is “Terminal Croisières” It takes between  600 m and 2,5 km when getting off the bus to reach the boarding platform. More information on public transport in Marseille. This train only runs on cruise days.

You arrive by car

→ The Grand Port Maritime de Marseille is located at exit n°5 on the  A55. (Gate 4 – La Calade – L’Estaque).

→ The Port de la Joliette (J4), at the foot of the  Cathédrale de la Major, is accessible by leaving the A55 motorway at exit n°4: La Joliette / Les Arnavaux / Arenc / Les Ports.

 Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal Parking (MPCT)

If you wish to leave your vehicle for the duration of the cruise, it will cost 14€ per vehicule and per 24-hour period. Package for more than 10 days per car and per cruise: 140 € TTC Payment by credit card or cash at the automatic cash desks located on the ground floor of the MPCT, in the luggage area. 2000 parking spaces are available and reservations are not required (spaces guaranteed). For further information: [email protected]

Shuttle to the cruise port

The Grand Port Maritime de Marseille has set up a free shuttle that runs every day that there are ships calling.

The timetable:

• from 9.20am to 5.20pm and a rotation every 20 minutes

It is intended for passengers in transit, embarking and disembarking.

/!\ To make sure that the free shuttle bus serving the cruise terminal is available, the Tourist Office advises passengers to contact us 2 or 3 days before their stopover in Marseille to make sure it is running. Because there is no 100% reliable rule.

Starting point at the cruise terminal (for transit passengers wishing to go to the city centre and disembarking passengers): from your cruise ship, follow the green line on the ground. Walk between 5 and 12 minutes towards the exit of Gate 4 of the port until you reach the well-marked stop. Starting point at Place de la Joliette (for passengers in transit returning to their ship and those embarking): it is located between the Terrasses du Port shopping centre and the maritime station. At 9 Quai du Lazaret. After the fastfood “Five Guys”. There is a large gate with white iron bars. You enter through the small gate while showing your ticket.

Accommodation near the port

Valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours, visit Marseille thanks to an all-inclusive formula!

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Marseille, France

As France's second-largest city and home to the country's biggest commercial port, Marseille is cosmopolitan and vibrant. This Mediterranean gateway boasts the storied Old Port that dates to 600 B.C., quaint neighborhoods, top-notch shopping and world-renowned seafood. A climb up the roughly 500-foot Garde Hill yields 360-degree panoramas and a visit to the city's beloved symbol: Notre Dame de la Garde, an 1864 Byzantine-style basilica topped with a gilded statue of the Virgin Mary. Artists and authors alike have been inspired by the sparkling bay and verdant cliffs here, prompting iconic works from the likes of Paul Cezanne. The picturesque coastline beckons with beautiful beaches and opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, swimming and snorkeling.

Joliette (J4) Terminal Berths 23 place de la Joliette, 13226 Marseille, France

Cruise Port of Marseille | 12 Best Things To Do in Marseille, France

Welcome to the cruise port of Marseille, France! (Post updated: March 2024)

Marseille is the second most populated city in France and the capital of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. It is a colorful and diverse city known for its magnificent architecture, unique culture, vibrant Vieux-Port (Old Port), beaches, and a variety of historic landmarks. It is also a gateway to the popular cities of Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, and a breathtaking Calanques National Park. In this article, read about:

• Marseille cruise port (Marseille cruise terminal, getting around)
• Top 12 things to do in port Marseille (including Marseille shore excursions to Cassis, Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Parc National des Calanques)

Visit also our cruise guides for Cannes , Villefranche , Ajaccio , Valencia , Barcelona , Cagliari ,   Palma de Mallorca

Cruise Port of Marseille

Officially called Marseille Fos Port , the port of Marseille is one of the leading ports in France and one of the major transit ports for cruises and ferries in the Mediterranean. It consists of two cruise ship terminals: La Joliette Cruise Port (operated by Port of Marseille Fos) and Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal (operated by M.P.C.T).

1. Joliette cruise terminals

This cruise port is located near Place de la Joliette and within walking distance of the Vieux-Port de Marseille (Old Port), the main tourist district where the city’s main landmarks and attractions are located. La Joliette cruise terminal has several berths and is dedicated to small and medium-sized vessels including cruise ships, tender boats, cargo ships, mega yachts and ferries with lengths less than 200 m/565 ft.

Small cruise ships usually dock at J4 Terminal, however, the majority of the cruise vessels are too big to dock here, so they dock at MPCT (read more below). Joliette cruise port also serves ferries to Corsica, Sardinia and North Africa (Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco).

2. MPCT (Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal)

This cruise ship terminal is also known as MPCC (Marseille Provence Cruise Center) or Môle Léon Gourret piers. MPCT is located in the industrial zone northwest of the Vieux-Port de Marseille, approximately 8 km/5 miles (a 20-minute drive) from the city center.

MPCT has six berths that can accommodate up to 6 cruise vessels at a time, regardless of the size. There are six cruise terminals (Terminals A, B, C, D, F, E) with modern cruise terminal buildings offering embarkation/disembarkation facilities, luggage drop-off, check-in areas, and large car parks. MPCT is both an embarkation port and a port of call. You will also find a cafeteria, a tourist information office point, and several ATMs.

The motorway A55 connects MPCT and the Vieux-Port de Marseille. To get to the cruise terminals from the city center, you need to drive along A55 and take Exit 5 (Sortie no 5) – Porte 4 (Gate 4) after a few kilometers. Porte 4 is the port entrance/exit and here you’ll find bus stops for bus lines 35, 36 and 36B (the nearest stop is “Terminal Croisières”). You have a few options to get to the Marseille city center from MPCT:

• The first option is to take bus 35 which leaves from the port exit (Porte 4). There is a considerable amount of walk to reach Porte 4 from the terminal buildings, from 800 m to 2 km, depending on where your ship docks. You can either take a taxi for a short drive or simply walk up to 20 minutes following the green line to reach it. Once you arrive at Porte 4, look for the “Terminal Croisières” bus stop and take the bus to the Joliette terminus. Once you arrive at Joliette, you can either take a 15-minute walk to the Vieux-Port de Marseille or catch a tram (line T2 or T3), bus, or metro line 2 to all points within the city center (tram and metro station are both located around 250 m from the Joliette terminus).
• Alternatively, the port of Marseille may offer a free shuttle bus service exclusively for cruise passengers. The shuttle bus runs approximately every 30 minutes between the Môle Léon Gourret (you’ll find the shuttle bus stop on the way to the port exit) and Joliette terminus, stopping at the vast Les Terrasses du Port shopping mall along the way. The schedule of these free shuttles may vary based on the season and the number of ships in port. You may encounter long queues on busy days. Cruise lines normally don’t advertise this option to the passengers to avoid their competitors (cruise lines tend to sell their shore excursions/paid shuttle buses).
• Cruise lines normally offer paid shuttle bus service to Marseille city center which may cost up to 20€ round trip depending on the cruise line. It takes around 20 minutes drive to reach Marseille downtown.
• Taxis are available in the terminal area. It is more convenient to share a taxi if you travel with a group than to buy individual shuttle bus tickets. The taxi costs roughly 20-30€ per vehicle one way.
• You can always book a shore excursion by your cruise line/independent tour operator if you opt for a guided option.

Getting Around Marseille Port

• The currency in Marseille France is EURO (€). Local currency and credit cards are widely accepted. ATMs are available at the cruise terminal and in the city.
• Marseille Provence Airport (Aéroport Marseille Provence) is located around 20 km/12.5 miles (a 20-30 minute drive, depending on the traffic) from MPCT. The distance to the Joliette cruise terminal is 23 km/14 miles (a 20-25 minute drive). The distance from the airport to the Vieux-Port de Marseille is roughly 25 km/15.5 miles (25-30 minutes drive).
• Since MPCT is also a turnaround port (cruises start and end here), you may need a transfer from the airport to the cruise terminal . Some cruise lines offer transfer options for a fee. Alternatively, to get to MPCT from the airport you can take the airport’s shuttle bus to Marseille Saint-Charles station and then take public transport (metro line 2 to Joliette and then bus 35) or a taxi to the cruise terminal. However, this option is very time-consuming and complicated, and it’s better to arrange a private transfer or take a taxi directly from the airport. Book a private transfer to/from Marseille cruise port
• Public transport in Marseille (bus, tram, metro) is operated by RTM (Régie des transports métropolitains). The ticket purchased at the terminal costs 1.70€ and is valid for 1 hour of connection (including round trip) throughout the RTM network. However, keep in mind that you are limited to only one access to the metro. You can recharge the same ticket later, so make sure you keep it. There are other packages available which you can check online or with the tourist information office at the cruise terminal. Visit the official RTM website here https://www.rtm.fr/
• Marseille-Saint-Charles train station (Gare de Marseille-Saint-Charles) is the main railway station in Marseille, located 8 km/5 miles (20 minutes drive) southeast of MPCT and around 2 km/1.2 miles (10 minutes drive) from Vieux-Port de Marseille and Joliette terminals. Trains in France are operated by SNCF (National Railway Network) and you can check the departures and fares on the official website https://www.sncf.com/en
• Petit Train de Marseille (Train Touristique de Marseille) is a little tourist train that allows you to have a commentated train ride through the city with stops at major tourist attractions. The trains depart from the Old Port (Vieux-Port de Marseille), at 174 Quai du Port. There are 3 different routes and the duration of each one is around 30-40 minutes. You can find all the necessary information on the official website https://petit-train-marseille.com/
• Colorbüs is a Marseille Hop on Hop off sightseeing bus that allows visitors to hop on and off at 25 stops in the city as many times as they want. There are a Red line, Blue line and Combined pass (Red+Blue) that cover all main Marseille attractions including the seaside and the city suburbs. Colorbüs Marseille also departs from the Vieux Port de Marseille (86 Quai du Port). Check out Colorbüs tours and tickets on Viator and Get Your Guide
• Marseille City Pass (24h, 48h and 72h) allows access to dozens of attractions, museums, Little Train Tour, boats, guided tours, unlimited public transport tickets, and more. Buy Marseille City Pass
• Explore Marseille tours and activities
• Rent a car in Marseille
• Check out the best hotels in Marseille

12 Best Things to Do in Cruise Port of Marseille

Before I share the best things to do in Marseille, I invite you to grab your copy of the “ Mediterranean Cruise Port Guide” , the most comprehensive guide to 45 Mediterranean cruise ports (including Marseille) , packed with practical information, expert tips & unforgettable experiences! (PDF format/200 pages)

1. Vieux-Port de Marseille (Old Port)

The Old Port of Marseille is located at the bottom of the famous  Canebière , the main shopping street of Marseille. Guarded by two massive forts (Fort Saint-Nicolas and Fort Saint-Jean), the iconic Old Port is the oldest part of the city and the place where the history of Marseille began. Vibrant, colorful and bustling with people, the Old Port has been the beating heart of the city for centuries and is nowadays a symbol of Marseille.

Besides promenades packed with cafes, restaurants and shops, here you can find a fish market (Marché aux Poissons) on Quay des Belges, the picturesque Sainte Marie lighthouse , the 17th-century Baroque building of the City Hall (Hôtel de Ville), a metro station, Colorbüs hop on hop off bus station, ferry boats, Petit Trains de Marseille and many other attractions.

If you are interested in the arts, history and culture of Marseille, in the surrounding streets, you’ll also find a few museums and churches including the Marseille History Museum ,  The Marseille Soap Museum  and others. Old Port is also one of the main places to eat in Marseille, so make sure you try out delicious local seafood specialties.

Check out Marseille Old Port tours and activities

2. Notre Dame de la Garde

Built in the 19th century on the foundations of an ancient fort on the top of the city’s highest hill, Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde (known as “la Bonne Mère” – “the Good Mother” among the local population) is the symbol of Marseille and the city’s most visited landmark.

The impressive Romano-Byzantine basilica is famous for its lavish interior and grand bell tower capped with the golden statue of the Virgin Mary. The church dominates the city skyline and can be seen from downtown. It is located at approximately 2.5 km/1.5 miles (a 35-minute walk) from the Old Port and you can reach it on foot (multiple stairs involved) or via bus (bus no. 60 stops in front of the basilica). Access to the church is free.

Explore Notre Dame de la Garde tours and activities

3. Le Panier (Marseille’s Old Town)

Le Panier neighborhood is Marseille’s Old Town, located just north of the Vieux-Port. The Panier is famous for its steep alleys, artistic ambiance, colorful murals, old and tall buildings, historic squares and hilly streets filled with authentic cafes, eateries and shops. Some of the major city landmarks are located in Le Panier such as:

• Marseille Cathedral – Also known as Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-Majeure de Marseille and Cathédrale de la Major , this stunning cathedral built in the Byzantine and Roman Revival styles dates back to the early 19th century and is renowned for its magnificent interior lined with murals, mosaic and marble. The cathedral overlooks La Joliette cruise port.
• Vieille Charité (Centre de la Vieille Charité) – Situated in the heart of Le Panier, only 600 m from Marseille Cathedral, this exceptional building was designed by the Marseille-born architect Pierre Puget and built between 1671 and 1749. Originally built as an almshouse (a charitable housing for the city’s poor and beggars), this domed architectural gem today houses the Marseille International Poetry Centre, the Museum of Art of Africa, Oceania and Amerindia, research centers, art galleries, museums and a bookshop.
• Église Saint Laurent – The 12th-century church of Saint Laurent and the adjoining 17th-century chapel of Sainte-Catherine dominate La Joliette, Le Panier district and the Old Port from a hilltop.
• Mucem – Museum of Civilizations of Europe and the Mediterranean – A museum stands at the entrance to the Vieux-Port and offers an amazing insight into the civilizations of the Mediterranean.
• Musée Regards de Provence – This classic and modern art museum overlooks La Joliette wharves and is located across Mucem, next to Marseille Cathedral.
• Église Notre-Dame-des-Accoules – Another beautiful place of worship located right behind the City Hall, a few blocks away from the Vieux-Port.
• Place de Lenche – One of the most famous squares where you’ll find numerous eateries and cafes.

Check out Le Panier tours and activities

4. Vallon des Auffes

Located in the 7 th arrondissement of Marseille, 2.5 km/1.5 miles (a 30-minute walk) southwest of the Vieux Port, Vallon des Auffes is a small Provençal fishing village and a fishermen’s paradise. Nestled between two cliffs, at a stone’s throw from the Catalan beach, this charming village boasts picturesque fishermen’s huts and small traditional fishing boats scattered on both sides of Pont du Vallon des Auffes , a concrete arched bridge built in the 19th century, during the construction of the Corniche of President John F. Kennedy.

Vallon des Auffes is a true hidden gem of Marseille and if you are looking for a peaceful oasis and fresh fish specialties, this is the place to go!

Explore Vallon des Auffes tours and activities

5. Palais Longchamp

The breathtaking Palais Longchamp is located in the 4 th arrondissement of Marseille, roughly 2 km/1.2 miles (a 30-minute walk) east of the Vieux-Port. This impressive historical monument was constructed in the 19th century to bring water to the city and nowadays is home to the Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des beaux-arts de Marseille, east wing of the palace) and Natural History Museum of Marseille (Muséum Histoire Naturel de Marseille, west wing).

The palace is surrounded by a wonderful park filled with animal sculptures and an imposing fountain with cascades (known as château d’eau or “water castle”). Palais Longchamp area is open to the public and is a true green oasis in the middle of the bustling city.

Check out Palais Longchamp tours and activities

6. Château d’If

The iconic Château d’If is a fortress and former prison famous for being one of the settings of Alexandre Dumas’ adventure novel “The Count of Monte Cristo”. Château d’If is located about 1.5 km/1 mile offshore from Marseille and 5.5 km/3.5 miles from the Vieux-Port. It is the smallest island in the Frioul archipelago known for being entirely fortified and centered around the “château”, a square, three-story building flanked by three towers with large gun embrasures.

The château was built in the 16th century for military and defensive purposes, however, it was mainly used as a dumping ground for political and religious detainees throughout the centuries. Today, Château d’If is a historic monument and a tourist attraction that can be visited by ferry from the Vieux-Port.

Check out Château d’If tours and activities

7. Park National des Calanques

The Calanques National Park is a paradise for nature lovers and those of you who seek breathtaking landscapes. Calanques are narrow, steep-walled inlets found along the Mediterranean coast and the most beautiful examples of this formation can be found in the Massif des Calanques, in the Bouches-du-Rhône department.

The Calanques of Marseille extends for 20 km/12 miles in length along the coast between Marseille and Cassis, culminating in Mont Puget. In this beautiful national park, you can admire unique flora and fauna, spectacular landscapes and dramatic cliffs overlooking mesmerizing turquoise waters. If you are an adventure seeker, there are many activities offered such as kayaking, rock climbing, snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing and swimming among others!

The most popular coves are Calanque de Sormiou (the biggest calanque, known for rock climbing), Calanque de Sugiton (popular for hikers), Calanque de Morgiou, Calanque d’En-Vau and Calanque de Port-Miou (near Cassis). If you are taking a tour from the Marseille port (MPCT), you’ll reach the Calanques National Park in about 45 minutes drive (20 km/12 miles). If you are coming from Marseille downtown, it takes around 35 minutes drive (14 km/8.7 miles).

Explore Parc National des Calanques tours and activities

8. Frioul Islands

The Frioul Islands (Îles du Frioul) are a French archipelago located within the protected area of the Calanques National Park, about 4 km/2 miles off the coast of Marseille. Frioul archipelago is made up of four scenic islands including Pomègue, Ratonneau, Tiboulen, and If, where the legendary Château d’If is located.

The islands are home to endemic flora and fauna and boast a rich historic heritage with fortresses, ramparts, beautiful beaches, hidden coves, and a variety of restaurants and shops for tourists. L’île de Pomègues is connected to l’île de Ratonneau via a causeway and both islands can be visited on foot within a couple of hours.

There are ferry boat rides organized from Vieux-Port de Marseille. The ride takes 15 minutes each way and the boat disembarks passengers at Port du Frioul, from where you can explore the two islands on foot. While there, make sure you visit the beautiful coves (calanques) of Saint-Estève and Morgiret, as well as Calanque de la Crine, often considered the most beautiful cove of the archipelago.

Check out Frioul Island tours and activities

Located 27 km/17 miles (a 45-minute drive) east of Marseille, Cassis is a charming port town and the French Riviera’s popular tourist destination. This lovely town is known for its falaises (cliffs) and the Calanques (sheltered inlets), renowned wines, pebbly beaches, and a picturesque harbour filled with seafront cafes and restaurants.

While there, make sure you visit Cassis Market (Marché de Cassis), Plage de la Grande Mer , Plage du Bestouan , Cassis harbour and its wonderful calanques such as Calanque de Port-Miou .

Check out Cassis tours and activities

10. Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is a university city in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region situated 32 km/20 miles (a 40-minute drive) north of Marseille. The birthplace of Post-Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne, Aix-en-Provence has always been an inspiration for painters, writers and musicians who used to live and work in the city. Nowadays, you can visit the city’s numerous museums, art galleries, artists’ studios ( Atelier Cézanne ) or explore its historic monuments, fountains and squares.

One of the most lively places in the city is Cours Mirabeau , a beautiful tree-lined avenue where you’ll find cafes, eateries and the impressive, 19th-century Fontaine de la Rotonde with its extravagant sculptures. The city is divided into two parts: the new part called Quartier  Mazarin and the old, medieval part of the city with its narrow streets and the iconic Aix Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur d’Aix-en-Provence) dating from the 12th century, one of the main city’s symbols.

Aix-en-Provence is a historic city with many cobblestone areas that are not wheelchair-friendly. Make sure you make comfortable shoes while exploring the city.

Check out Aix-en-Provence tours and activities

11. Avignon

The medieval city of Avignon is located roughly 100 km/62 miles (a 1h 15-minute drive) northwest of Marseille. Set on the Rhône River, Avignon is best known for being the seat of Catholic popes from 1309 to 1377. The historic center of Avignon, which includes the massive Palais des Papes ,  Avignon Cathedral and the famous Pont d’Avignon (The Bridge of Avignon), was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 due to its outstanding architectural and historic value.

Besides a large number of historic monuments and landmarks, Avignon is also famous for Festival d’Avignon , an annual arts festival that attracts tourists and art lovers from all across Europe.

Explore Avignon tours and activities

12. Orange Vélodrome

Last but not least, if you are a football fan you can visit Stade Vélodrome, home to the Olympique de Marseille football club. This massive, multi-purpose stadium has been a venue for the 1938 and 1998 FIFA World Cups and is the largest club football ground in France, with a capacity of 67.394 spectators.

Stade Vélodrome is located 3.7 km/2.3 miles (a 10-minute drive) south of Vieux-Port de Marseille. Guided tours are available.

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How to get there?

From the airport (Marseille-Provence) which is 30 km from Marseille center:

From the airport a shuttle bus will drive you to the railway station St-Charles (8,50€). From there, a taxi can lead you directly to your cruise terminal.

Be aware that the different cruise terminals of Marseille are pretty far apart, check with your cruise company which dock will be used.

Joliette cruise terminals dedicated to small and medium-size vessels. Close to town.

MPCT (Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal)  For most larger vessels.

By train: from the railway station St-Charles you can join easily your cruise terminal by taxi. For GPS users: Place de la Joliette, Marseille.

Although MPCT (Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal) is too far (8 km) to walk to center of Marseille and is not pedestrian-friendly. To get into town, take a taxi or the shuttle service (11 Euro) to and from the Vieux Port (the center of town). Or take City bus (RTM) no: 35, a 20 minute walk from the port, follow the green line on the ground. Get off at Joliette terminus and take bus 55 to the Old Port. (1.90 Euro, pay the driver)

Just outside the port gate there is a free shuttle to the city. Every 20 minutes. Cruise shuttles drive a little bit further to the city, but you have to pay. This one is free and the only thing is that you have to walk a little bit more. But it is worth it!

A taxi will cost about 17 Euro to the old port.

Hotels near the Cruise Terminal

Printable map to take along.

Cruise calendar for this port.

Watch a destination video .

Live Nautical Chart with Wikipedia Markers

Port Location on Google Maps

Monthly Climate Averages for Marseilles France

Sightseeing:

The Vieux (old) Port is the hub of Marseilles, lined by its quays, filled with fishing boats and yachts, and surrounded by small streets teeming with seafood restaurants , cafés and shops. The Quai des Belges, at the end of the port, hosts a fish market every morning of the week.

The Vieux Port is the center of touristic Marseille. It is the main marina of the city and it is a good starting point for walks around the old city, along the shopping street "Canebiere" or to the church Notre Dame de la Garde .

South of La Canebière, bohemian cours Julien (known as the ‘cours Ju') sits on the site of the former central food market. These days it is the city's most youthful area, home to a varied collection of fashion boutiques, bookshops, terrace cafés and music venues.  

North of the Vieux Port is the hilly district of Le Panier, the oldest part of the city and traditionally the first stop for immigrants – and tourists. It's hard to resist its narrow streets, steep stairways and ancient, pastel-colored houses.

There is also a regular, smaller ferry that potters from one side of the Vieux Port to the other.  

Tourist information : 4 La Canebière and at the train station Gare St-Charles.  

The Abbaye de St-Victor (3 rue de l'Abbaye, 04 96 11 22 60), a fascinating double-decker church and once one of the most powerful abbeys in the South, is worth the climb. Another (steep) climb, via twisting streets and steps, will take you to the city's most famous landmark: Notre-Dame de la Garde, rue Fort du Sanctuaire, an extraordinary neo-Byzantine extravagance of a basilica.  

Tours Excursions Transportation:

There is no need to to take a cruise organized expensive shuttle into town.

The free shuttle service from the cruise port ends close (300m walk) where the " Petits Trains Touristiques " makes a circuit of the center of Marseille, with commentary. It starts from the end of the Old Port (Quai des Belges, where the Office de Tourisme is located) Train 1 - Notre-Dame de la Garde via Vieux Port and Abbaye de St-Victor - 50 min trip; Jan-Nov, from 10h; every 30 min during the summer. Train 2- Vieux Marseille, via Cathedrale, La Vieille Charite, Quartier du Panier - 40 min trip; Easter-Oct, from 10h15; every hour during the summer.

From 12h-14h the trains only run if there are at least 10 passengers.

You can also opt for the hop on/off services of Marseille Le Grand Tour which also starts at the same spot.

Taxis are also offering tours .

It pays to compare your cruise line tours here

Nearby Places:

Aix-en-Provence : Take the shuttle bus to Old Port, walk or ride Métro to train station, then take a train to Aix-en-Provence (45 minutes, twice an hour, 9 Euro one way), Arles (1.5 hours), or Avignon (1 hour). Bus 50 also takes you from the train station to Aix-en-Provence, a 35 minute ride, approx. 6 Euro one way. Every 5 minutes or so. Tickets can be bought on the bus. Map of Aix-en-Provence.

The sun-bleached white turrets of Château d'If , the 16th-century island prison immortalized in Alexandre Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo, are nowadays populated by seagulls and salamanders rather than convicts. Ferries take about 20 minutes and leave every hour from the Vieux Port's quai de Belges – now officially re-named quai de la Fraternité.

Shopping and Food

The city's cuisine includes many typical dishes, the best known of which is bouillabaisse, a fish stew.

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Communication:

Local emergency number: 112  

Opening Hours and Holidays:

Most shops, businesses, information services, museums and banks in France stay open all day. The exceptions are the smaller shops and enterprises, which may close for lunch sometime between 12.30pm and 2pm. Basic hours of business are from 8 or 9am to 6.30 or 7.30pm Monday to Saturday for the big shops and Tuesday to Saturday for smaller shops (some of the smaller shops may open on Monday afternoon). You can always find boulangeries and food shops that do stay open, however, on days when others close – on Sunday normally until noon.

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Marseille France Tourist Information and Travel Guide

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The main cruise ship terminal in Marseille France is located at Place de la Joliette (Port Autonome de Marseille) which is near the cathedral (top left).

Cruise ship passengers are advised to catch a cab or shuttle bus from the port (an industrial area) to Marseille's central tourist district ( Le Vieux Port ).

The Vieux Port can been seen in the middle of this photograph.

Please access the Cruise Port Guide for comprehensive information on cruise terminals around the world.

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Marseille Cruise Port: A Comprehensive Guide

by Judith Eve | Jun 2, 2023 | Destination Guides & Ports

Introduction

The marvel of marseille cruise port.

Marseille, the largest city in southern France, nestles majestically along the Mediterranean coast. The city centre hums with life, flaunting the authentic charm of French culture and tradition. But perhaps the most impressive part of Marseille is its cruise port. The Marseille Cruise Port is the city's gateway to the Mediterranean and beyond, welcoming both large and small cruise ships throughout the year. This port, being the largest port in France, serves as an important hub for cruise passengers and marine travellers, offering a perfect blend of convenience, comfort, and captivating views.

A Haven For Cruise Lines

No less than a sanctuary for cruise lines, Marseille's cruise terminals have the capacity to serve both small cruise ships offering intimate experiences and large cruise ships with thousands of guests. Cruise lines that frequently visit the Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal include the renowned Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises, and Cunard, among others. These cruise lines offer a variety of itineraries, from brief Mediterranean voyages to extensive global circumnavigations .

At the Place de la Juliette Cruise Port, smaller luxury and expedition cruise lines such as Seabourn, Windstar, and Silversea often dock, providing their cruise guests with a more personal exploration of the Mediterranean coast.

Exploring The City Centre From The Cruise Terminals

Once you disembark, public transportation from the cruise terminals to the city centre is easily accessible. Shuttle buses, including a free port bus, run regular routes, providing seamless connectivity to the city center and various other tourist attractions. For the more independent travellers, the railway station is a short bus ride away, providing easy access to other French cities and towns.

Exciting Shore Excursions

One of the highlights for cruise passengers visiting Marseille is undoubtedly the varied range of shore excursions. A walking tour around the city of Marseille is a must, starting from the Old Port of Marseille, where you can explore La Panier, the oldest neighbourhood in the city. Don’t miss out on visiting the bustling fish market for a slice of local life.

From the Old Port, take a ferry to the Chateau d'If, famous for its role in Alexandre Dumas' novel, The Count of Monte Cristo. Art lovers should head towards Palais Longchamp, a grand edifice housing both the Museum of Fine Arts and the Natural History Museum.

For panoramic views, journey to the Notre Dame de la Garde, a stunning basilica perched on the highest point in the city. The picturesque gardens surrounding the church offer breathtaking views of Marseille, the surrounding islands, and the Mediterranean.

Venture out of the city and into nature with a visit to the Calanques National Park. This park is famous for its rugged landscapes and azure waters and is a prime spot for hiking, kayaking, and rock climbing.

More Than Just A Port City

Marseille France is not just a port city; it's an intricate tapestry of culture, cuisine, and history. Each part of the city, from the vibrant city centre to the tranquil Mediterranean coast, tells a unique story. The beautiful façades, historical structures, and the rhythmic lifestyle of the city make it an enchanting place for every visitor.

The Marseille cruise port, with its modern cruise terminals and wide range of amenities, has earned its place as a favourite among cruise passengers. Whether you're embarking on a grand Mediterranean voyage or just dropping anchor for the day, Marseille promises to leave an indelible mark on your travel memories. The city, its people, and its port stand ready to welcome you with open arms, waiting to show you the delights of southern France.

Basking In The French Riviera's Charm

Marseille is the shining gem of the French Riviera and its port plays a crucial role in its vibrant tourism industry. It's a portal to the alluring Mediterranean Coast, beckoning travellers with its sunny beaches, historical sites, and sumptuous culinary delights. It's not just the city centre that’s fascinating; the outskirts of Marseille also offer a host of attractions for cruise guests.

The Marseille Cruise Port's Infrastructure

The Marseille Cruise Port consists of two primary locations for docking: the Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal for larger ships, and the Place de la Juliette for smaller luxury ships. Both terminals are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, offering everything from refreshments to currency exchange. Moreover, the port's proximity to the city's ferry terminals makes sea travel around the region a breeze.

More Excursions Around Marseille

Beyond the city's boundaries, the region's natural beauty beckons cruise passengers to partake in a variety of exhilarating shore excursions. Les Baux-de-Provence, a picturesque village perched atop rocky hills, is an hour's drive from the port and offers mesmerising views of olive groves and vineyards. Visit the famous Carrieres de Lumieres, an immersive art and music show held inside an old quarry.

Aix-en-Provence, another notable destination, is renowned for its vibrant arts scene and grand architecture. Stroll down the Cours Mirabeau, a wide avenue lined with 17th and 18th-century mansions, dotted with refreshing fountains and charming cafes.

Closer to the port, visit the Camargue, a natural region located south of Arles, famous for its pink flamingos, white horses, and black bulls. It's also home to a vast saltwater lagoon - Etang de Vaccarès - a haven for birdwatchers.

The Pulse Of Marseille's Nightlife

As the sun sets, Marseille springs to life with an exciting and vibrant nightlife. The city centre is abuzz with chic cocktail bars, traditional bistros, and dance clubs. Music lovers can enjoy live performances ranging from jazz to French pop across the city. For cruise passengers with late departures, an evening in Marseille's city centre is a must.

Shopping In Marseille

Marseille is a shopper's paradise. From high-end fashion stores to quirky boutiques and bustling local markets, the city has something for everyone. Visit the city centre and the Old Port area, where local markets sell everything from Provencal fabrics and soaps to local produce and seafood.

The Flavours Of Marseille

Every visit to Marseille offers a culinary adventure. French cuisine, especially in this southern part of the country, is a gastronomic delight. Seafood is a staple here, with the traditional Bouillabaisse – a rich fish stew – being a must-try for every visitor. Head to the Old Port’s fish market to witness the freshest catch of the day being auctioned off, providing an intriguing spectacle for cruise guests.

Another Provençal delight is the Ratatouille, a vegetable medley that is as much a pleasure for the eyes as it is for the palate. If you have a sweet tooth, do not miss the Navette, a local cookie that's usually flavoured with orange blossom. Pair it with a cup of freshly brewed coffee for a delightful afternoon treat.

Art And Culture In Marseille

Culture vultures will find a wealth of attractions in the city of Marseille. The MuCEM (Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations) is a cultural hub with a fascinating collection of exhibits depicting the region's rich history and heritage. Just a short distance away is the vibrant district of Le Panier, known for its colourful buildings, charming cobblestone streets, and artisan boutiques.

Do not forget to visit La Friche, a former tobacco factory transformed into a thriving cultural space. It hosts a range of concerts, exhibitions, and theatre performances throughout the year. A visit to La Friche is a great way for cruise passengers to engage with the city's dynamic art scene.

Environmental Responsibility

The Marseille Cruise Port is dedicated to sustainable practices, ensuring that the beauty of Southern France is preserved for future generations. The port adheres to strict environmental regulations, utilising energy-efficient systems and prioritising waste management. It's a clear demonstration that the port not only serves as a gateway for tourists but also acts as a guardian of the region's natural heritage.

As your voyage comes to an end and you prepare to disembark from your cruise ship, take a moment to reflect on your journey. Marseille, the largest city of Southern France, with its bustling city centre, scenic Mediterranean coast, historical landmarks, and modern cruise terminals, has offered you a bouquet of experiences. You’ve ventured through bustling markets, explored historical landmarks, savoured culinary delights, and admired the azure expanse of the Mediterranean sea.

Whether you were aboard small cruise ships seeking an intimate vacation or large cruise ships loaded with grandeur, your time in the Marseille Cruise Port will be etched in your heart. The essence of the city, the warmth of its people, and the charm of its culture make Marseille more than just a stopover; it becomes a home away from home.

In the end, the Marseille Cruise Port serves as a testament to the city's enduring appeal and its capacity to blend the old with the new. It's a destination that leaves a lasting impression, compelling you to return and explore even more. So, as you bid adieu to this enchanting city, remember, Marseille will always be waiting to welcome you back, with its arms wide open, for another memorable voyage.

Judith Eve, loves to write riveting articles on crusingtonpost.com. She hails from the sun-kissed regions of South Florida, residing within a stone’s throw of the bustling Fort Lauderdale and Miami cruise ports. As a native Floridian, Judith’s love for the ocean and cruising extends as far back as her memory can recall.

Her lifelong passion for travel has taken her to countless destinations around the globe, but cruising, undeniably, holds a special place in her heart. Judith has embraced the elegance of luxury liners, relished the intimacy of boutique ships, and marveled at the innovation found on the newest megaships. This varied experience makes her a well-rounded and knowledgeable commentator on everything cruise-related.

Balancing her writing career and family life with effortless grace, Judith is happily married, mother to two wonderful children, and a doting grandmother to three grandkids. Much like Judith, her family shares her enthusiasm for the sea, often accompanying her on cruise adventures and enriching her articles with their unique perspectives.

Her work for crusingtonpost.com provides readers with insightful, engaging narratives of her travels, from vivid descriptions of the picturesque locales she visits to in-depth reviews of the cruise lines she travels with. Her writing is not only an exploration of travel and cruising; it is a testament to her zest for life, her commitment to family, and her love for the ocean.

Endearing herself to readers with her warm, personable writing style, Judith has become a trusted voice in the cruising community. She is the go-to source for tips, advice, and comprehensive information on cruising. As a tireless explorer and devoted family woman, Judith Eve embodies the essence of the adventurous spirit, inspiring readers to set sail and create their own sea stories.

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Marseille Cruise Port Guide Info

The French biggest and liveliest cruise port as well as a part of the Marseille Fos sea port, is by no doubt Marseille. The cruise port consists of two terminals which are positioned on two different sides of the pier. The first one, Marseille Provence Cruise Center (Mole Leon Gourret piers) is a docking area for most of the cruisers arriving in Marseille. There is only a distance of 10 km between the terminals and the old city centre. On the other side of the pier, the Joliette (J4) Terminal harbors serve the small and middle size ships. These terminals are in the vicinity of the city center.

Although a large city, Central Marseille is quite compressed. A number of sightseeing locations are just round the corner. However, you might want to take a bus or a metro to get to others. If you want to see some of Provence’s most popular destinations, such as: Aix, Avignon, Arles and the Camargue, Cassis, the fields of lavender and the perched villages, as well as the Pont du Gard, the best way is to take a tour.

As you pass by the Old Port, walk your way through the labyrinth of alleys in the Panier (Old Town) adapted for strolls and enjoy the amazing craft shops, bars and vibrant street art. You might want to take a short one hour petit train ride since the area is particularly steep. A must see on your tour is the amazing baroque Vieille Charité, an arts centre, which originally was a charity house.

For yet another rich experience on the other side of the port, take another relaxing ride on a petit train or a public bus and enjoy the breathtaking Notre Dame de la Garde. One of the symbols of Marseille, the church Catedrale de la Major, is full of eccentric sacrificial offerings and resonant, gold, byzantine mosaics. What you unexpectedly get as an extra enjoyment is the astounding 360 degree scene that can be seen from its terrace.

At the end of this lovely and quite active tour, you get to enjoy the French most important occupation – wining and dining. Even better, the Provence area is well known for its extraordinary and unique tastes. The ultimate specialties that you have to try are pastis and bouillabaisse (fish stew). Although surrounded by many other tourists, you get to enjoy the Old Port restaurants with their heart-stopping view.

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Marseille Cruise Port Info: Complete Visitors Guide

Marseille cruise port is a popular destination on the coast of the Mediterranean, in the South of France. We arrived in Marseille (pronounced mar-say ) after a river cruise in Provence and saw several large cruise ships lined up in the distance as we explored the various terrains along the Mediterranean waterfront.

Things to do in Marseille abound, and you don’t have to travel far from where cruise ships dock or where you reach the city center to see them. Though Marseille is the largest city in southern France, the main attractions are in a fairly compact and centrally located area. 

Disclosure: This page has affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you click the link and proceed with a purchase  at no cost to you . We truly only recommend cruises, experiences, products, and services we personally use. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Marseille Cruise Port Information

Marseille, the oldest city in France, is a great cruise ship port stop in the Mediterranean. We’ll share all the info you need to know about the Marseille cruise port so you’ll be a prepared visitor. We will thoroughly review how to get between the cruise port and the airport and how to get to the center of Marseille to sightsee.

There are several parts of the Marseille port. It is one of the largest ports in the world and certainly, as it’s called, a “gateway to southern Europe.” Millions of tons of goods come in and out of this port each year. And millions of cruise passengers as well. 

The port is easy to enter and exit, as long as you have valid identification that you’re a cruise passenger (like your cruise card or medallion ). The Marseille cruise port is a good starting point for excursions. Some excursions you can book yourself will even pick you up at the cruise port. 

If you arrive on a large cruise ship, using the free shuttle that transports cruise guests to the Joliette area is a good idea. This is where you can easily access the city’s public bus stops and tram stations.

If you arrive on a medium or small cruise ship, your ship will likely dock in La Joliette neighborhood. It's closer to town than the big cruise ship docking area is.

Parts of Marseille Cruise Port

The Marseille Cruise Port is known by many as the “Gateway to Southern Europe.” Its commercial port handles millions of tons of goods coming in and out of the area every year, along with welcoming over one million cruise guests annually. 

There are two public areas of the cruise port in Marseille, or “Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal.” They are next to each other. One area is where the large ships dock, and the other is where small cruise ships dock. 

Big cruise ships dock at “Gares du Môle Léon Gourret,” or the “Stations of Mole Leon Gourret.” Most major cruise lines arrive at Gate 4, or Port 4. 

The cruise line terminals here are further away from town, too far to walk to the city center in any reasonable amount of time. (The center of Marseille is nearly 6 miles from the port. It would take over an hour to walk, one way.)  

Next door to Môle Léon Gourret is La Joliette cruise port, where smaller ships dock. It is closer to the center of Marseille.

Transportation Around Marseille 

Public transport is really easy to use in Marseille. The metro, bus, and tram systems all have the same ticketing. If you are traveling using two of the modes of transportation instead of just one, like riding the bus and then having to switch to a tram, you have 59 minutes to use a ticket interchangeably. 

This means you don’t have to use two tickets for one journey – you only need to use one per person.

How to Get from Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal to the City Centre on Your Own

The cruise port isn’t in the city center, so if you want to explore Marseille on your own or sign up for a tour that isn’t offered by your cruise line (in other words, book a tour yourself, unassociated with your cruise line), then you’ll have to get to the heart of Marseille from where your cruise ship docks yourself. 

So how do you get to Marseille’s city center from the large cruise port area, Gares du Môle Léon Gourrett? It’s easy with the following options: 

• Hop on one of the free shuttle buses from the port to the Joliette area. Once you get there, you can navigate the city by foot or with public transportation, depending on your destination. 
• Take a taxi or Uber there the port for less than €20
• Sign up for a tour that picks you up at the cruise port terminal.

Using Public Transportation to Get to the Center of Marseille: Marseille Cruise Port Free Shuttle 

If you want to travel to the city center with public transportation, it will be a big help to utilize the free cruise shuttle provided by the Port of Marseille. It operates between the cruise port (Port 4) and La Joliette, traveling southeast along the waterfront to get to the city center. On the reverse journey, it heads northwest from the city center to cruise Port 4. 

If the shuttle’s end point by La Joliette isn’t where you want to go, you can walk or take trains, trams, or buses from there to get to your destination. 

Here are detailed instructions for how to do it after getting off your cruise ship at Gares du Môle Léon Gourret at the Marseille cruise port: 

• Disembark your cruise ship and follow the green line on the ground to reach the cruise terminal exit. It’s approximately a 10 to 15-minute walk, depending on your pace and where exactly your ship is docked. 
• From that exit, you need to find the free shuttle that the city of Marseille provides for cruise tourism to get further into the city. Fellow passengers will likely be looking for it too. The shuttle ride is approximately 15 minutes. 
• It travels from the cruise terminal to the Les Terrasses du Port area, near a shopping center. This area is across the street from the La Joliette metro line station.  

How to Find Marseille’s Free Cruise Shuttle and Operating Hours 

The shuttle operates between 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, running every 30 minutes. You will see a sign indicating the shuttle times from the maritime station/cruise port area. 

If you’re trying to find the shuttle from the center of town going toward the cruise ships, you’ll find it near the shopping center at Les Terrasses du Port. It's by the white gate marked “Grand Port Maritime de Marseille.”

How to Get From the Cruise Port Area to the Center of Marseille with Public Transportation (without the Free Cruise Shuttle)

Suppose you just missed the shuttle and you don’t want to waste 30 minutes of precious time in Marseille waiting for the next one. You can take public transportation from the cruise port to the city center instead, or vice versa.

If you have wifi, we recommend opening Google maps and typing your destination in Marseille to see what route it takes. This is because the route suggestion will vary based on the time of day and your exact destination. 

• WiFi on up to 10 devices
• Lightweight and pocket-sized
• Works in popular port cities worldwide

For example, if you want to get to the Joliette area from the cruise port, you’ll walk to the exit by following the green line on the ground, then take tram 35 toward Joliette. You’ll ride 11 stops, which takes about 10 minutes and get off at La Joliette. 

The station names are clearly stated on the tram screens while you ride and are usually clearly announced. As long as you pay attention, you’ll easily know which stop is next.

Taxi or Uber to the Center of Marseille

If you take a taxi or Uber, we recommend making Marseille’s old port area, or historic “Vieux-Port” in French, your destination. It’s an area most tourists want to visit. 

Once you walk to the exit of the port area where a car can load passengers, it takes between 10 to 15 minutes to reach the Vieux Port area by Taxi or Uber. 

Book a Tour that Picks You Up at the Cruise Port

If you don’t want to deal with figuring out how to get around Marseille, but you still want to see the sights in town, you have great tour options you can book on your own. They will save you a ton of time and energy figuring things out on your own. 

Check out some of these interesting Marseille tours: 

• Marseille Small Group Segway Tour
• Half-Day Electric Bike Tour, which starts from the Cruise Terminal
• Private 4-hour tour of Marseille with optional pickup at Cruise Port, hotel or elsewhere
• Marseille Shore Excursion: City Sightseeing Tour of Marseille with Cruise Port pickup at Gate (or Port) 3

Closest Airport to Marseille Cruise Terminal 

If you start or end your cruise in Marseille, France, you will want to fly into or out of the Marseille-Provence Airport (code MRS). The airport is a 20 to 30-minute drive by car from the center of the city, depending on traffic. The route between the airport and cruise terminals area is only approximately 20 minutes by car. 

When you see French road signs that say “Quai du Port,” you will know you’re close to one of the largest ports in France. 

Getting from the Marseille Provence Airport to the Cruise Terminal 

Your cruise may provide free transfers from the airport to the port or transfers for a fee. Be sure to check with your cruise line. 

If your cruise doesn’t provide transfers, it’s easy to get between the airport and Marseille cruise port with private transfers, like a taxi or Uber, or a private prearranged car. 

It’s also possible to travel between the cruise port and the airport on public transportation if you have the time. This will take about an hour versus 20 to 30 minutes in a car, but the cost savings could be worth it, depending on your budget. 

How to Get from the Marseille Airport to the City Center on Public Transportation

If you’re arriving at Marseille airport and want to get to the city center or cruise port, you must take a shuttle from the airport to get to the railway station, then take the train to the city. 

You take the airport shuttle bus (the cost is minimal at less than €2 per person, but it is not free) to Vitrolles-Aerport Marseilles Provence train station. The shuttle bus to get from the airport to the train station departs from airport bus platform number 5 in front of the terminal. Have some euros on hand to pay for your bus ticket. 

From Vitrolles-Aerport Marseilles Provence train station, you ride a regional train to get to Marseille St-Charles, Marseille’s main train station. 

From St-Charles, you transfer to a local underground metro train or above-ground tram to reach La Joliette. The options take the same amount of time. 

• Option 1: Take metro M2 towards Gèze, traveling two stops from St. Charles to La Joliette.
• Option 2: Take a tram from St. Charles train station to Joliette. Travel on the T2 Arenc Le Silo tram 8 stops to La Joliette. 

From La Joliette station, follow the instructions in this post to find the free shuttle bus service that goes from there to the cruise port.

Overview of How to Get from the Airport to Port with Public Transportation

To review, here’s how to get from the airport to the cruise port where large ships dock in Marseille, with public transportation: 

All this costs less than €11 per person. 

Total travel time is approximately an hour and 15 minutes, but don’t forget to account for time waiting for the next bus, train, or shuttle in between the various modes of transportation. 

How to Book Tickets from the Marseille Airport to the City Center on Public Transportation

We purchased our ticket for the bus from the airport to the first train station with cash. 

For the train ticket from Vitrolles-Aerport Marseilles Provence train station to Marseille St-Charles train station, we booked online with Trainline. 

We have found the easiest way to book train tickets in Europe is with Trainline. You can book the train from Vitrolles-Aerport Marseilles Provence train station to St-Charles on Trainline. 

Once you get to St-Charles train station, the easiest way to get the local train or tram tickets you need (it’s the same ticket system) is to simply go to a ticket machine at the station. You can choose to view the screen instructions in English, French, or several other languages. 

Trainline is the most comprehensive ticket booking app for Trains in Europe

It is the easiest way to simplify booking trains in Europe! The Trainline app is THE BEST , and prices are the same on Trainline as booking directly through the train companies' websites.

How to Get from Marseille Airport to the Cruise Port with a Private Transfer

You can always prearrange for a private transfer from the airport to the port or vice versa. Book online for ease of reservation and arrangements. The ride should take around 20 minutes.

Marseille Cruise Port FAQs

We’re happy to answer the most common questions we have seen about Marseille cruise port. If you have questions that are not answered here, please add a comment at the end of the post to ask! We’re always happy to help. 

How far is Marseille’s city center from the cruise port? 

Generally speaking, it’s approximately 12 minutes by car to Marseille’s city center (which we’re considering Vieux-Port de Marseille, the historic old port). That’s 7.8 km or 7.85 miles.

Public transportation to the city center will take about 45 minutes, but the city provides a free shuttle bus service every 30 minutes from the cruise ports to the city center. We share that information below. 

How do you get from Marseille cruise port to the city center? Can you walk from the cruise terminal to the city center? 

You can get there by car, shuttle, or public transportation (bus and trains). But it would take you about an hour and a half to walk! Thankfully, the transportation options are really easy. 

Is Marseille a walkable city? 

Marseille is walkable, yes. But it’s also really large, so we were grateful for their easy-to-navigate public transportation when we were there. We used public transportation to get to more places in our limited time. 

We also signed up for a guided tour to see all the hits and learn about the city’s history in a few hours, with a local who best knew how to navigate the streets efficiently. 

What is interesting about Marseille? 

When we arrived in Marseille, we admit we were a little undecided about it. It’s not outwardly beautiful if the day isn’t sunny and bright (it was a cloudy overcast day when we visited). And we were at a loss for what to do there besides walk around, eat and drink. 

But we’re so glad we signed up for a walking tour because, through our guide, we were able to learn about the city’s history and what makes it unique in Europe, starting with it being the oldest city in France. 

Marseille’s tourist attractions make it interesting, and those attractions are interesting because they’re ingrained in the city’s story. It’s on the Mediterranean coast, there’s a huge gorgeous basilica at the top of a towering hill that looks out to the city, boats line the old harbor, cruise ships bring over 1M people to the city each year, and it’s a hub to good going in and out of Europe, every day. 

What are the key historical sites and things to do in Marseille? 

You’ll most certainly want to make good use of your free time in Marseille but seeing some historic buildings, churches, and neighborhoods. Maybe you’ll even want to try some local food. 

Did you know that Marseille is the oldest city in France, that it has Roman ruins, or that there’s a neighborhood of artists who help fill the streets with cool murals?

Here are some of the key things to see and do in Marseille: 

• Le Vieux Port : The historic old port of Marseille, with a morning fish market. The area has plenty of dining and some shopping. 
• La Canebière : The city’s historic avenue from the 17th century that connects to Vieux-Port Marseille.
• Le Panier : Oldest neighborhood in France, now well known for its artist community. 
• Notre Dame de la Garde: Visit the basilica on the hill overlooking the city with incredible panoramic views.
• Palais Longchamp : Picturesque fountain in central Marseille. 
• Marseille’s famous bouillabaisse fish stew : Try it during a walking food tour.
• Cathédrale La Major : Breathtaking cathedral in Marseille’s La Joillette neighborhood.

Marseille Tour Options

Book a Marseille group or private tour

Hotels to Stay in Near Marseille Cruise Port

Most of Marseille's hotels are not near the cruise port because it’s partially a working, industrial area. The best thing to do is to look for hotels that are between the cruise port and the Joliette area.

Then you can take the free shuttle from that neighborhood to the port for your cruise embarkation or use it after you disembark to spend time in central Marseille.

Conclusion for Marseille Cruise Port

Cruise passengers from cruise lines like MSC Cruises, Oceania, Costa Cruises, and more will appreciate the transportation that allows them easy access all over the city of Marseille. Whether you have a few hours in the Marseille cruise port, an overnight, or extend your trip before or after your cruise, you’ll find this Mediterranean Sea city is a fun seasonal destination.

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10 comments.

What a useful article! Very structured, detailed and extremely helpful on how to get to the city centre and main landmarks. Thank you so much 🙂

Thank you so much for taking the time to say so, Adriana. We are SO appreciative of your comment! – Mikkel + Dan

Thank you very much for the very good article and will be very useful for our visit to Marseille in September when the cruise ships visit this city.

So glad to hear it was helpful, Dinh!

Do you know what port Oceania Riviera docks at? I can find the cruise schedule but doesn’t list the port.

It’s best to contact Oceania about it because they’ll have the official information for your exact sailing. Hope that helps, Gina!

Thanks for the info, visiting on Tuesday with a cruise

Have the best time, Andrea!

Thank you. Very informative. Looking forward to our trip in July.

So glad to hear that, Cam! Thanks for your comment.

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Where is the cruise port of  Marseille

Marseille is the largest port in France, in 2019 the passenger traffic of the cruise terminal amounted to 1.75 million people. Marseille is the second largest city in France. The port of Marseille stretches along the northern coast of the city and includes ferry terminals, cargo terminals, dry docks and cruise line terminals. 

We are interested in the pier Môle Léon Gourret – there are the cruise terminals of Marseille. Large cruise ships are moored here. This is a view from a height.

The nearest building (purple and white coloring) is the new MarseilleProvence Cruise Terminal(MPCT), followed by parking and other buildings. The long red building at the entrance to the pier is the older cruise terminal Terminal 19. It is very far from the cruise terminals to the center of Marseille, about 8 kilometers. The distance between the exit from the port and the nearest bus stop is about one kilometer from Terminal 19 and about 2 kilometers from MPCT.

Boarding the ship at the cruise port of Marseille

How to get from marseille airport to cruise port , how to get from saint-charles train station to the cruise port .

Free shuttle buses in the port of Marseille

How to get from cruise ships to the center of Marseille 

1) cruise line transfer, 3) public transport .

Luggage at the port of Marseille

Parking at the port of marseille.

• Up to 45 minutes = free 
• From 45 minutes to 1 hour = € 2 
• From 1 to 9 hours = € 0.30 / 15 minutes
• From 9 to 12 hours = € 0.20 / 15 minutes
• Day from: € 14. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What to do in marseille cruise port.

• Stroll around the Vieux Port
• Eat Bouillabaisse
• Visit the oldest district in Marseille, Le Panier
• Visit Marseille Cathedral
• Visit Palais Longchamp, the oldest museum in Marseille

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Marseille in One Day: Cruise Port Guide

Lovely, lovely Marseille! The French port city basking in the glow of the Mediterranean sun. For those travellers lucky enough to arrive in town via cruise ship, even a day in Marseille from a cruise promises some wonderful memories. This guide is your henchman to the Marseille cruise port and what you need to see while in such little time in this Provencal beauty.

About Marseille

Remarkably diverse, this city, France’s oldest and its second-largest, blends the cultures that have made it what it is today, a historic seaport with a modern, vibrant vibe. Wandering about Marseille is a delight, from its celebrated old town, Le Panier, to its labyrinthine ancient port, Le Vieux Port, and its fascinating neighbourhood markets: old is mixed with new, traditions are vibrant while the modern beacon shines. Travellers to France will always find something special in Marseille.

A Guide to Marseille Cruise Terminal

The Marseille cruise port, whose official name is Môle Léon Gourret, is one of the busiest cruise liner arrival ports. Cruise lines such as Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, and Holland America Line all serve the port of Marseille. The cruise port terminal, for its part, has all the facilities needed in order to make the transit efficient.

Cruise Port Terminal Facilities

• Numerous Cruise Line Terminals: There are several terminals at the port servicing different cruise lines for a smooth and organised embarkation process.
• Passenger Services: Waiting areas, signs and ticket desks, toilets.
• Accessibility: The terminals are designed to be accessible for passengers with mobility challenges.

How to Get from Marseille Cruise Port to the City Centre

Now here’s something the cruise ships wont tell you: there is a FREE shuttle service available from the Marseille cruise terminal to the city centre.

Courtesy of the Grand Port Maritime de Marseille. This shuttle runs on days when a cruise ship is in port, usually from 9:20 am to 5:20 pm, every 20 minutes.

To meet the shuttles after getting off your cruise ship, follow the green line across the ground, which will take you to the exit from the cruise terminal. The walk, depending on where your ship docked, is 10 or 15 minutes. At the exit you’ll find an air-conditioned shuttle (free, for cruise passengers who have yet to venture further into the city by using the Metro, taxis, or on foot) that takes you another 15 minutes.

The shuttle brings you down right by the Les Terrasses du Port area, and right across the street from the La Joliette metro line station, which is suited for getting around town and linking with the other public transport solutions.

Book a Tour that Picks You Up at Marseille Cruise Port

A good way of enjoying the highlights of this city for those who want to avoid dealing with the local transport system is to go on a tour. Tours are a great way to ‘tick off’ the popular sights in a city and this one can be a real time-saver too: many of them pick you straight up from your ship.

Check out some of these interesting Marseille tours that will pick you up from your ship:

• E-Bike and Food Tour : Take a three-and-a-half-hour e-bike foodie tour to discover Marseille through its tastes and aromas, sampling traditional dishes and flavours.
• Aix-en-Provence & Cassis : a great way to sample the sights and sounds of Aix-en-Provence, a historic university town and cultural hotspot just 25 miles north of Marseille, which can easily be arranged from the port.
• Avignon & Pope’s Palace : an enchanting journey through the heart of Provence, featuring a walk through Avignon and its history as well as a wine-tasting in the nearby appellation of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Closest Airport to Marseille Cruise Port

The Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) is the easiest to get to by far for those who start or end their cruise in Marseille. It’s located about a 20 to 30-minute drive away from the city centre by car.

Marseille Provence Airport handles a large number of international flights worldwide and domestic flights to other parts of France, making it as convenient for globe-trotting travellers as for local wanderers. It’s well-connected and able to deal with carrying masses of passengers smoothly, delivering them right from the heart of the terminal to your cruise ship and then back again.

Once you arrive at the airport, you have several ways to get to the cruise terminal: most cruise lines will offer a shuttle service for free or for a fee arrival directly to the pier. If not, then you can take a taxi, Uber or private transfer to the cruise terminal in a direct route.

More budget-friendly but slower would be to travel by public transport: take the shuttle bus from the airport to Vitrolles-Aéroport train station, then go by regional train to Marseille St-Charles train station. From St-Charles, connect to one of the local transport options that arrive at the cruise terminal.

How to get around Marseille

Travelling by public transportation in Marseille is easy and efficient, thanks to the extensive network operated by the transport company Régie des Transports de Marseille (RTM). The metro, tram and bus networks, as well as ferrys, link up most of Marseille’s neighbourhoods and suburbs.

If you’re seeking to get from one of the main tourist areas or shopping districts to another or simply want to go to a colourful neighbourhood , the Marseille Metro offers a practical option. The network follows two parallel lines, connecting the main points of interest: the Vieux Port (Old Port), Notre Dame du Mont Basilica, the Canebière shopping district, the beaches of Prado. The public service hours go from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Tram System

Marseille has a scenic system of trams, which provides a nice overview of the city. The system runs three lines: T1, T2 and T3. It operates every day between 5 a.m and 12:30 a.m. The T2 line is the most efficient one because almost all of the city’s landmarks are on it – Old Port, Canebière shopping district, and Joliette.

Excursions into the outlying areas far beyond the city centre can be done using Seàctï buses, Marseille’s extensive network of buses, with some 100 lines, plus night services: the city centre south and west are served by the metro (two lines) and the tram (three lines), but the bus network goes everywhere.

One day in Marseille Itinerary

1. start at the old port (vieux port).

Begin your exploration in the Old Port, Marseille’s beating heart, and the site where the city has always centered itself, from its founding by the Greeks in 600 BC. Though Vieux Port is today a pretty marina lined by handsome quaysides and punctuated by colourful fishing boats and grand yachts, it remains as much a hive of free trade and hybrid cultures as it ever was. Patisseries and pastel-coloured seafood restaurants spill out onto the water’s edge and fill the heady air with the aroma of bouillabaisse — the port’s flagship culinary dish. Cafes and bars offer simple vistas across the water to the island of Frioul and the city’s exquisite, impenetrable Calanques. To see Vieux Port teeming with fish in the morning sunlight, or bathed in golden light at dawn or sunset, is to experience the essence of Marseille. It is where the port reveals itself as pure history, in all its bumps and blooms: the city’s beating heart, its raw courtyard, and the beating source of its cultural identity.

2. Visit Notre Dame de la Garde

Make your way to Notre Dame de la Garde, Marseille’s iconic basilica, that crowns a limestone outcrop overlooking the city, offering sweeping views of the Mediterranean Sea and the city below. Erected in the 19th century in the Romano-Byzantine style, the exteriors are adorned with mosaics, marble and murals in a breathtaking relic of otherworldliness and spirituality. Capping the basilica’s slender spire is a towering statue of the virgin Mary, whose watchful gaze is seen as a source of protection over the city’s sailors and fishermen. A visit to Notre Dame de la Garde brooks a unique balance of religious tranquility, historical depth and a mesmerising visual medley of the urban landscape, an experience not to be missed by anyone who embarks on Marseille.

3. Explore Le Panier District

Wander the labyrinthine streets of Le Panier, Marseille’s oldest district. Often referred to as the heart and soul of Marseille, this neighbourhood is a veritable artery of history and culture. Perched atop a hill on the north end of the Vieux Port, this oldest of all the city’s quarters is a maze of winding streets and pastel-hued century-old buildings that reverberate with the echoes of Marseille past. The discovery of every alley feels like a surprise: an artisanal shop, a local gallery, a bustling café, a rooftop bar. The area has a certain bohemian flow thanks to the artistic community, but the ultimate reason to visit it is that real-life history is etched into every humble façade and you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

5. Lunch at a Traditional Restaurant

Then, for lunch, have your daily fill of Marseille’s traditional Provençal cooking – why not a good old Bouillabaisse fish stew with the harbour at your feet?

For a delightful lunch in Marseille, you have a variety of excellent options. Some top recommendations include:

• La Cantine de Lynn : Known for its French and seafood menu, this restaurant is acclaimed for its welcoming ambiance and quality cuisine.
• Le Hippie Chic Café : Le Hippie Chic Café: blend of French and Mediterranean dishes Food/atmosphere very good.
• Le Bistro Du Panier: This place is differentiated for their American style of serving alongside the French dishes (known mainly for the wide range of burgers and also mouthwatering serve of Tiramisu)
• Cafe Bovo: Good for Mediterranean and French food, pasta and octopus are terrific.
• Grand Bar des Goudes : Yet another good French – and seafood – option. Lovely setting and the perfect spot for a peaceful lunch.

6. Walk Along La Corniche

In the afternoon, walk along La Corniche which borders the Mediterranean Sea and offers a stunning view over the sea and the city, plus cafés and beaches as well as the perfect promenade for a walk, running or sunbathing. The Corniche is not only an impressive promenade, in my opinion it’s one of the best features of Marseille, as it combines natural and urban beauty, and is unmissable when you visit Marseille.

7. Visit Palais Longchamp

Last but certainly not least, my favourite thing to do is visit the stunning Palais Longchamp. This colossal masterpiece of marble-clad architecture was built to celebrate the arrival of the Durance river water to Marseille thanks to the Canal de Marseille which allowed the city to no longer be deprived of water. The Palais Longchamp was designed by the architect Henri-Jacques Espérandieu who gave it a central square like structure topped by a water fountain surrounded by solemn colonnades leading to the two majestic buildings now occupied by the Musée des Beaux-Arts and the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle on both sides.

Travel Blogger

Hi! My name's Alicia and I'm a travel blogger and photographer from the UK. I love nothing more than travelling the world (so much so that I now do it full time!) to collect recommendations, itineraries and magical places to share with you.

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Cruising: why choose Marseille?

A wide choice of boats and atmospheres.

Voir cette publication sur Instagram Une publication partagée par PONANT (@croisieres_ponant) le 15 Juin 2019 à 9 :55 PDT

It is not a coincidence that MSC Cruises and Costa Cruises, the two primary cruise lines based in France, have selected Marseille as their main port for embarking and disembarking on a Mediterranean cruise from France. They are not the only ones. Several cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Aida, and Oceania Cruises, choose to dock their ships at the Marseille cruise terminal (External link) . Additionally, Ponant, a French company, offers an alternative to the larger cruise ships with its maxi yachts. The numerous cruise lines based in Marseille, whether as the head of a line or as a stopover, offer a wide range of options to choose from. You can select the cruise that suits your preferences, whether you prefer a lively or tranquil atmosphere, a large liner or a smaller ship, or a sober or opulent setting. Additionally, you can even opt for a day cruise off the calanques .

An ultra-modern cruise terminal

The port of Marseille has modern cruise terminals located near the city, including the Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal (MPCT). Six terminals are available to accommodate large liners, with areas ranging from 200 to 6,000 m2 dedicated to baggage rooms, boarding lounges, and check-in areas. Outside, large car parks provide easy access by car. In addition, the Marseille cruise terminal is conveniently linked to the Marseille Provence International Airport (External link) , the TGV station, and the motorway network. This ensures a hassle-free embarkation and disembarkation process.

Taking in the sights at Notre-Dame de la Garde

This is the place to discover "La Bonne Mère", the city's emblematic figure, watches over the sailors, fishermen and all the people of Marseille. Notre Dame de la Garde offers a unique view of the Old Port, the Panier district, the Frioul islands, the north of the city, the beach areas and the hills that surround Marseille.

Notre-Dame de la Garde in Marseille (External link)

Visit the Mucem

The Mucem project was the flagship architectural project of Marseille European Capital of Culture 2013, and it has been a success. The project combines the restoration of the old Fort Saint-Jean, which overlooks the entrance to the city, with the construction of an ultra-modern building designed by architect Rudy Ricciotti. The Mucem looks out to sea and serves as a link between civilizations on different shores of the Mediterranean. When architecture and art converge on the Mediterranean coast, it's an experience that should not be missed!

Mucem in Marseille (External link)

Exploring the Panier area

It's here, in the Panier district in the centre of Marseille, that the history of the city begins and the true spirit of the Cité Phocéenne can be found. Le Panier sits on a hillock in the centre of Marseille and takes on the feel of an authentic, lively Provencal village. The facades are colourful, the alleyways full of flowers and the walls popular with street artists. A must-see, starting with La Vieille Charité.

Marseille Tourisme (External link)

A trip to the beach

Few towns are lucky enough to be real seaside resorts. Marseille has that privilege! The city has many beaches, the largest of which is the Prado beach. Before or after your cruise, enjoy a swim in the sea along more than 3 kilometres of golden sand just a stone's throw from the city centre. Marseillais love to go there whenever the weather permits... and in Marseille it often does!

The beaches of Marseille (External link)

Setting sail from the Frioul islands

Head for the Vieux Port (not to be missed either, of course) to set course for the Frioul Islands. A thirty-minute crossing reveals an incredible limestone archipelago made up of 4 islands: Pomègues, Ratonneau, If and Tiboulen. On the menu: wild landscapes, beaches and sandy coves. Fans of the adventures of the Count of Monte Cristo will not want to miss a visit to the Château d'If.

Walk to the Frioul Islands (External link)

Dive into the Calanques

Look out for the picture postcard scenery! En Vau, Sormiou, Port-Pin, Port Miou, Morgiou... All these calanques are an invitation to get away from it all, with their steep cliffs, white sandy beaches, crystal-clear water and exceptional seabed. Access is restricted and you may need to allow a good hour's walk to reach them, but what a treat!

Walk in the Calanques and towards the Iles du Frioul (External link)

Take the tour as far as Arles

From the port of Marseille, it takes passengers just an hour to reach the city of Arles, so why deprive yourself if you've got a bit of time on your hands? Discover the incredible historical and cultural heritage of this corner of Provence, from the Roman amphitheatre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to the cathedral of Saint-Trophime, a masterpiece of Provençal Romanesque architecture. Van Gogh, seduced by the city's light, was not mistaken. He moved here in 1888, and it was here that he found the inspiration for his most famous paintings. Between two visits, there is no shortage of gourmet addresses, such as La Chassagnette by chef Armand Arnal .

Arles Tourisme (External link)

Recommendations and advice Looking for more environmentally-friendly cruises? Some cruise lines are increasingly committed to reducing their carbon footprint and protecting the marine ecosystem. Thanks to a range of innovative technologies, cruise ships are succeeding in reducing their consumption of fossil fuels, in particular by using renewable energies (solar or wind power) to power on-board electrical equipment. As for fuel, many companies are replacing their conventional fuel with alternative fuels such as LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) to limit CO2 emissions. Initiatives are also being taken to treat waste and waste water on board. In the Mediterranean, a Sustainable Cruise Charter was drawn up in 2022 and ratified by the shipowners operating on this sea, members of CLIA, and all the French Mediterranean ports, including of course the Euro-Mediterranean port of Marseille Fos. Many cruise operators have accelerated their transition to offer zero-emission cruises by 2050. Enjoy your stopover in Marseille and your Mediterranean cruise!

Find out more

• Marseille Croisière (External link)
• Plan your stay in Marseille (External link)
• Plan your stay in Provence (External link)

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Getting to Marseille in Provence 

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Cruises to Provence (Marseille), France

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Provence (Marseille) Cruises Port Guide

Marseille is the kind of French town that has the same amount of charm as Paris, despite being less popular among the traveling crowd. With new arts districts, rejuvenated neighborhoods, and inventive museums popping up left and right, you could say Marseille is having its very own moment. Head to the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations to understand everything you’ve ever wanted to learn about this region while on Mediterranean cruises , plus experience its breathtaking and adventurous design. Explore the neighborhoods of Cours Julien and Le Panier to experience their own unique vibes.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a trip to the region of Provence without experiencing high-quality French food, baked goods like fresh croissants and pastries, strong red wine, and a culture highly tuned into enjoying the moment. Whether you stay local to the Vieux port in Marseille or take a day trip further into Provence, this corner of the Mediterranean deserves careful study from anyone who decides to visit on a Marseille cruise.

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Top sights & attractions for cruises to provence (marseille).

Le Panier is the oldest quarter in all of Marseille. In this artistic, bohemian neighborhood, you can stroll along Rue du Panier and relax at Place des Pistoles or Place de Lenche. On a Marseille cruise, an afternoon at Le Panier will feel like living in a French fairytale.

Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations

The Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations only opened in 2013, but it quickly became a premiere cultural institution. Architecturally, it’s one of the most recognizable sights in Marseille, and the entire museum celebrates and honors the anthropological and artistic achievements of the Mediterranean.

Marseille Cathedral

A tour of this national monument and Roman Catholic church of France is a must-do experience. The magnificent church holds religious and historical significance, making it one of Marseille’s most recognizable sights and a symbol of the area’s earlier opulence and excess.

Learn More About Provence (Marseille) Shore Excursions

Top things to do in provence (marseille), see the murals along cours julien.

Perhaps the only word that fully describes Cours Julien is “trendy.” The 19th century architecture and city walls are decorated in beautiful murals and works of street art commissioned by local artists. It has a similar vibe to Miami’s bustling Wynwood District. It’s a great spot for taking photos and admiring the art. It’s only a 10-minute walk from the Vieux Port.

Explore Vieux Port

Vieux Port is one of the clear highlights of Marseille and the entire region of Provence itself. The romance of Vieux Port is apparent when you arrive. It’s an easy introduction to the city, plus you can walk around, watch the boats sail out in the harbor, or stay for a sunset. Take a ride on the Ferris wheel here for a fun vista of the entire city.

Walk Around La Joliette

This neighborhood was once falling into disarray, but today it’s been revitalized as a center for arts and culture. Close to the Cathédrale La Major and the Musée des Civilisations, the neighborhood makes for a pleasant afternoon of gallery and museum hopping.

Top Food and Drink Spots Near the Provence (Marseille) Cruise Port

Mamma Cucina

Address: 23 rue des Repenties, 13002 Marseille, France

For vegetarians, it’s hard to beat the sandwiches at Mamma Cucina. The restaurant is also known for light fare like salads, freshly baked focaccia, and other savory lunch treats.

AM par Alexandre Mazzia

Address: 9 rue Rocca, 13008 Marseille, France

AM promises a fine dining, upscale experience like you’ve never had before. Making a reservation is recommended, since space in the restaurant is limited to only 24 seats. Open for lunch and dinner, all dishes are part of a changing, chef’s choice daily menu, with different price points for different numbers of courses. 

Bistrot o'prado

Address: 1 boulevard Perier, 13008 Marseille, France

Dishes like tuna tartare and salads, savory tarts, risotto, and others comprise a simple and minimal menu at Bistrot o’prado. Don’t miss the creme brulee for dessert.

Culture & History of the Provence (Marseille) Cruise Port

Marseille has the unique distinction of being the second-largest city in France, and it’s an area that the region of Provence has become known for. Marseille has had settlements from other groups dating back to the Greek and Roman times. The tropical Mediterranean weather stays mild and the summers are warm, attracting both summer travelers and winter escapees every year. Today, Marseille is working to add substance to its style, creating new and innovative museums and opening upscale restaurants along the way. The renaissance is just beginning, starting with the Vieux Port, while Marseille continues to dance to the beat of its own drum.

Provence (Marseille) Port Facilities & Location

On a cruise, Marseille makes for an ideal port city. When you get off the ship, you’ll already be where all the action is. Shops, quaint cafes, glamorous restaurants, and umbrella-filled bar patios are all located nearby just waiting to be explored.

Transportation in Provence (Marseille)

There’s a shuttle bus to and from Vieux Port when you arrive, and that’s how most Marseille cruise passengers arrive in the heart of the city. You’ll be well within walking distance when you get to the Vieux Port. Taxis and bike rentals are readily available for getting around. There’s also a small tourist train that takes travelers to the major sights.

Shopping Near the Provence (Marseille) Cruise Port

When you cruise Marseille, you’ll find plenty of shopping near Vieux Port, as well as an abundance of boutiques in the city. Shop for souvenirs by the cruise terminal or at Old Harbor's Craft Market, which specializes in the kinds of elegant French presents family members back home will love. Head to rue St-Ferréol for higher-end clothing, handbags, and chic fashions.

Local Currency & Tipping Customs

The official currency France uses is the euro, and credit and debit cards are frequently accepted here. Carrying a little bit of cash is always helpful when going to more coastal French cities, where the majority of businesses are locally owned and operated. There is usually a service charge included on your restaurant bill, which is required by law. Be sure to leave 10-15% as a tip for a taxi driver when in France. You should leave a one to two euro tip for a tour guide as well.

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Hotels near Marseille Cruise and Ferry Port Docks

Ferry and Cruise Port of Marseille

Marseille is France’s oldest and second largest city. It’s located on the Côte d’Azur of France and is one of the Mediterranean’s premier ports. The city boasts connections with Italy, Spain and the African contintent which makes it an important industrial and economical city.

Larger cruise ships in Marseille anchor north of the city at Môle Leon Gourret, the industrial area of the port. Smaller vessels of luxury cruise lines such as Seabourn and Silversea can dock closer to town at the Place de la Joliette.

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Port of Marseille in France

Marseille is situated on the South Eastern coast of France. Larger vessels dock north of the city at Môle Leon Gourret , which is the industrial area of the port. Smaller cruise ships tie up at the Place de la Joliette , closer to the city centre. Companies operating from the Port of Marseille include MSC Cruises , Norwegian Cruise Line , , Costa and Croisières de France .

Marseille is also a primary ferry port for ferries crossing to Corsica, Sardinia, Algeria and Tunisia. Ferries are operated by various companies and there’s a choice of ferry crossings daily. The terminal can easily be reached by car via the A7 and A55 motorways. The port is linked to the SNCF Rail network by Place de la Joliette Metro station.

We have a choice of over 350 Marseille hotels, so don’t worry about accommodation. Choose between affordable and moderate hotels, self catering apartments, budget hostels and charming bed and breakfasts and enjoy your perfect cruise holiday.

• City of Marseille France
• Island of Chateau d’If

Cruise Destinations

Nearest airport, currency and language.

Located within walking distance of the Vieux Port (Old Port), tram and metro.

Seaside accommodation close to the beach, located just outside the city centre.

Studios and apartments within easy reach of Marseille city centre. Budget friendly property.

Marseille, Typical Provencal city

The city is located on the Mediterranean Sea in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region.

Marseille is home to numerous museums, opera houses and theatres. Browse through the Old Port’s narrow streets over cobbled squares and see colorful fishing boats sail pass the historic Fort Saint-Jean. Above the hilltop overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and city is the famous Basilica Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde . Visit the old Cathedral of la Major, built on the ruins of a temple of Diana or the Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-Majeure de Marseille, dating back from the 19th century and built in Byzantine-Romanesque style.

L’hôtel de ville de Marseille at the Quai du Port is the city hall of Marseille. It’s a beautiful example of the civil architecture of the end of the 17th century. The port area boasts excellent restaurants with lovely outside terraces. Don’t forget to try the world famous dish “bouillabaisse” with six different types of fish. In the morning stroll around the fish market on the Quai des Belges at the Vieux Port.

Island of Chateau d’If

A nice day trip out of Marseille is the Island of Chateau d’If, just a short boat ride away from the Vieux Port. It’s a fortress built by François I and made famous by Alexandre Dumas’ classic 1840s’ novel Le Comte de Monte Cristo (The Count of Monte Cristo).

Beyond the city lies the beautiful Provence region. Discover the lovely villages of Arles, St. Remy-de-Provence, Avignon and Aix-en-Provence.

Various cruiselines depart Mediterranean voyages from the Port of Marseille in France. Popular ports of call include the port of Rome, which is Civitavecchia , Bastia in Corsica, Palma de Mallorca , Livorno (Pisa, Florence) and Valencia in Spain .

Some longer itineraries bring ships to the Canary Islands (Tenerife , Grand Canaria), the river port of Lisbon and even La Romana in the Dominican Republic .

The city is served by Marseille Provence Airport or Aéroport de Marseille Provence , which is located just over 15 miles or 25 km from the center of the city (about 30 minutes by car or taxi). You can get to/from your city centre hotel to the airport by taxi or public transportation (train or bus).

Trains depart from Vitrolles Aéroport Marseille Provence Station. A free Airport Train shuttle bus connects the airport (Platform Airport Train, in front of Hall 1) and the railway station.

The Navette Marseille Aeroport bus service connects the airport with Marseille Gare St Charles (main central train station).

The French currency is the Euro.

The main language in Marseille is French. The local dialect is Provencal. As being a city of a huge foreign population, you can also expect to hear Spanish, Italian, English and some Arabic languages as well.

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