We will be stopping in Marseille this coming Aug on our Med cruise. I can't seem to find anything very interesting about it. We are just talking about going into town on our own for a few hours. Is the town within walking distance of the ship, are there any port shops to browse? Anyone been there recently? Any info would be appreciated, thanks.
hi hooch the answer is no,but they do a sort of excursion bus that takes you to "le vieux port"get off and have a look round. "la boiullabiase" is the best in the world
We are going in late March, and I have been wondering the same thing. I'll let you know when we get back! (None of the ship's excursions "rocked my boat" so to speak, so I will be doing that port independently.
Marseille has a big harbour. There are direct ferry routes from Marseille to Ajaccio, Bastia, Porto Torres, Porto Vecchio and Propriano. There are several piers at the harbour, so it is advisable to check well in advance from which pier you are departing.
A Ferry Boat allows to cross the Old Harbour (Vieux Port). It is a tourist attraction in itself known as the shortest commercial boat ride in Europe.
le Vieux Port (old harbour): watching fishermen selling their stock by auction is a must. Arriving to Marseille in the Vieux-Port on a summer evening is something you will never forget... You can watch this show by going to Frioul islands or Chateau d'If and going back late in the afternoon. there is also a nice view on the harbor from the Palais du Pharo (Pharo casttle). The famous Canebière avenue go straight down the harbor. However the Canebière is not that intersting despite its reputation.
The Château d'If (If Castle): this small island off the city was a penal colony. It is famous from the novel of Alexandre Dumas, the Comte de Monte-Cristo. Tourist boats leave from the Old harbour.
Gee, was surprised to see some activity here! I also posted the question on CC. Some replied with taking some local tours in the country outside Marseille. Another talked of some colored line painted that you could follow through some of the city and it returns you to the pier. Several commented on the Vieux Port, and it does sound interesting. I read that it is a very old city and the port has been noted for its prostitution and drug trafficing for centurys and though attempts have been made to clean it up, it still continues today.
Unless something changes with the 2008 tours the ship offers, I think we will just walk around a bit on our own. It is our first port and the next 3 days will be full day tours, so a leisurely day would be nice.
Jenalib, I will be interested in hearing about your day there. What ship are you going on? We are going on the Emerald Princess.
Jenalib, I will be interested in hearing about your day there. What ship are you going on? We are going on the Emerald Princess.
We are going on the Costa Magica-yep, I know about the reviews! I am looking forward to going on this line as a few of us stationed here in the UK have travelled on Costa in the Med and really liked it.
Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers
-
Centrum Deck
-
Cruise Places
-
Europe
-
Mediterrean Ports
-
France
-
MARSEILLE, what to do there?
#
#
Linear Mode
