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Complete Marseille: free self-guided audio tour of Marseille
Complete Marseille is a free self-guided audio walking tour of Marseille, France: 7 stops in about 2 h 20. The Itinerarly app walks you from one stop to the next and plays a short narrated story when you arrive, in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese.
| Stops | 7 |
|---|---|
| Duration | about 2 h 20, including time at each stop |
| Difficulty | Challenging |
| Distance | about 12.6 km in straight lines between the stops (a little more on foot) |
| Start | Old Port |
| Finish | Le Panier |
| Price | Free (some sights charge their own entry ticket) |
| Languages | English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese |
Panoramic Marseille with Notre-Dame
The stops, in order
- Old PortWelcome to the Old Port, the true lung and historical heart of Marseille since its foundation by the Greeks 2,600 years ago. As you walk along these quays, you are following in the footsteps of the Phocaeans who landed here in 600 BC. Every morning, the traditional fish market comes alive, offering a spectacle rich in colors and local accents.
- Notre-Dame de la GardeOverlooking Marseille from an altitude of 154 meters, the Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica is the city's protective figure, affectionately called 'La Bonne Mère' (the Good Mother) by locals. Built in the mid-19th century in a Romanesque-Byzantine style, it is topped by a nearly 12-meter-high gold-leafed statue of the Virgin, which shines like a beacon for sailors. The interior dazzles with its gold mosaics and numerous ex-votos—miniature boats or paintings…
- MuCEMThe MuCEM, or Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations, has become, in just a few years, the architectural emblem of contemporary Marseille. Designed by architect Rudy Ricciotti, this concrete cube surrounded by a black lace-like mesh seems to float above the water. The building is a technical feat that filters light and wind, creating magnificent shadow plays on the gangways.
- La Major CathedralBefore you stands the Major Cathedral, a monumental and spectacular 19th-century masterpiece. Unique in its kind, it illustrates the Romanesque-Byzantine style with its imposing domes and alternating green and white stones. It is one of the largest cathedrals built in France since the Middle Ages, designed to reflect Marseille's port power during the Imperial era.
- Château d'If viewOff the coast of Marseille stands the Château d'If, an austere fortress built by Francis I in 1524 to protect port access. Its isolated location soon made it a feared state prison from which no one was supposed to escape. Its global fame comes from Alexandre Dumas, who imprisoned his hero, Edmond Dantès, there in the famous novel 'The Count of Monte Cristo'.
- Corniche KennedyThe Corniche Kennedy is one of the most beautiful panoramic roads in the Mediterranean, winding for five kilometers above the sea. Named in tribute to the American President in 1963, it offers stunning viewpoints of the Frioul islands and the famous Château d'If. Its white balustrade, reputed to be the longest bench in the world, invites you to take a break and admire the blue or watch daring divers jump from the rocks of Anse de la Fausse Monnaie.
- Le PanierYou are entering Le Panier, the city's oldest and arguably most picturesque neighborhood. This labyrinth of narrow, steep alleyways and colorful houses is the birthplace of the ancient Greek city. As you climb its staircases, you will discover shaded squares like Place des Pistoles, artists' studios, and numerous street art murals that dialogue with history.
How to take this tour
- Install the free Itinerarly app on iPhone or Android and create a free account.
- Open Guided tours, choose Marseille, then Complete Marseille.
- Start whenever you like: the app guides you to Old Port and the story plays when you arrive at each stop.
Other audio tours of Marseille
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Complete Marseille tour in Marseille free?
- Yes. It is one of 3 free self-guided audio tours of Marseille in the Itinerarly app. Some sights charge their own entry ticket.
- How long does the Complete Marseille tour take?
- About 2 h 20 for 7 stops, including time at each stop.
- Where does the Complete Marseille tour start and finish?
- It starts at Old Port and finishes at Le Panier.
- Which languages is the narration in?
- English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese, with natural-sounding synthetic voices.