8 of the Most Unique Things To Do in Marseille for an Epic Trip

Marseille is a treasure trove of surprising experiences waiting to be discovered. Beyond its famous Old Port and the cliffs of the Calanques, Marseille offers hidden gems that reveal its rich history, diverse culture and authentic energy. From secret swimming spots to the city’s oldest soap factory, there are plenty of unique things to do for the curious traveller in Marseille. Let's go!

The Malmousque quarter in Marseille’s 7th arrondissement retains a village-like atmosphere, full of quaint little pedestrian streets leading to an isolated cliff with views of fishing boats bobbing in the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean. Next to this, you'll see locals strolling down to the tiny La Fausse Monnaie beach for a refreshing dip (there are rocky stairs that lead straight into the water.) Alternatively, just a few kilometres south of Vieux-Port is Plage Petit Nice (Montée de Maldorme, 13007), a relatively quiet stretch of sand between two coves. Want to explore more of Marseille's beaches? Mercure Marseille Centre Bompard La Corniche is a handy base, in a quiet area outside the city centre with an outdoor pool and private car park.

Marseille’s new reputation as a fashion and art hotspot comes alive in the streets of Cours Julien. A hangout of the city’s bobo (Bourgeois Bohemian) set, it’s a vibrant, colourful place that showcases both the city’s multicultural history and contemporary creative renaissance. It’s fantastic for people-watching. Just take a table in a little square to listen to buskers, see graffiti artists at work and watch the quirky crowd stroll by.

For one-of-a-kind shopping in Marseille, Cours Julien offers a plethora of alternative boutiques selling fashion from local designers, vintage clothing, vinyl, and works from emerging artists. Note that many don’t open until the afternoon. So start your exploration of the neighbourhood with lunch, perhaps at a trendy dining spot such as Mama Shelter (64 Rue De la Loubière, 13006), before discovering this unique district.

Le Panier is the historic heart of Marseille. This is where the ancient Greeks first touched down, setting up a colony on the peak of a hill near the sea. In the Middle Ages, the area greatly expanded. Today Le Panier is a charming, artistic quarter with an ancient feel.

Pop on your most comfortable shoes to navigate the steep lanes and stairs crisscrossing the three hills of Le Panier. You'll be rewarded with charming balconies bursting with flowers, colourful façades and walls painted by local artists, and pretty little parks. Take a break over a pastis in Place des Moulins, named after the windmills that once stood here, and Le Panier’s highest point. Then seek out the Hôtel de Cabre (27 Grand Rue, 13002), a part-Gothic, part-Renaissance building dating back to 1535, and the oldest building in Marseille.

Have you been admiring those colourful blocks of soap in the markets and shops around Marseille? Soap making in the region dates back to the 17th century, and the mild, lightly scented savon de Marseille is famous all over the world.

Fer à Cheval is the oldest remaining soap workshop in Marseille. It's considered a national treasure in France, and is open to the public for guided tours – a thoroughly unique thing to do in Marseille. You'll learn about the care and artisan skills required to make genuine Marseille soap, and have the opportunity to pick up scented goodies to take back home from the factory’s boutique.

• 66 Chemin De Sainte-Marthe, 13014 Marseille
• Guided tours are free but must be booked on Fer à Cheval’s website

Situated inside an old tobacco factory, the Friche la Belle-de-Mai (or simply La Friche, as the locals call it) is the main hub of Marseille’s creative boom. It's an enormous public space that welcomes everyone and virtually everything, from theatre to music, art to urban sport. Over 70 artistic organisations have made it their permanent base. For the rest of us, its doors are open 365 days a year.

With so much going on, it’s almost impossible to predict what unique things you'll see and do when you visit. Art and sculpture from Marseille creatives are on display throughout, and there's a bookshop, library and food market to enjoy. Entire families come for the crèche and playground, or just to hang out in the communal garden.

• 41 Rue Jobin, 13003 Marseille

Situated on the highest hill of Marseille, the landmark Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde is a popular spot for taking in panoramic views of the city. From the Old Port, you can take a 20-minute uphill walk to get there, so why not do it at sunrise? The early morning light casts a golden hue over the city and the Mediterranean beyond, offering a breathtaking start to the day. At 7am the basilica opens its doors, so you can visit its exquisite interior too.

Or head over to La Major Cathedral, where you'll find something quite unexpected tucked beneath. Les Voûtes de la Major is a series of subterranean chambers that have been converted to stylish boutiques and restaurants – the vaulted ceilings and moody lighting make for a unique thing to do during your stay in Marseille.

Notre-Dame de la Garde

• Rue Fort du Sanctuaire, 13006 Marseille
• Stay at Grand Hotel Beauvau Marseille Vieux-Port-MGallery, a historic hotel overlooking the port

Until recently the ugly duckling of the architecture world, Brutalism, which employs monolithic forms and lots of poured concrete, is garnering new fans. Designed by the Swiss modernist master Le Corbusier, the Cité Radieuse is a stellar example of the style. Conceived as an answer to the acute housing shortage in Marseille after the end of WWII, this "city within a city" once had its own services such as medical centres, schools and shops. Many of these have now been converted to art galleries and design boutiques. On the rooftop of the project's principal apartment building (L'unité d'habitation), a contemporary arts space called MaMo has been installed, making the Cité Radieuse a wonderful destination for design and architecture lovers.

MaMo (Centre d’Art Contemporain)

• 280 Boulevard Michelet, 13008 Marseille
• Open Wednesday to Sunday, 11am-6pm

For adventurous foodies, Marseille boasts two exciting produce markets. A tradition since 1909, the old fish market at the Quai de la Fraternité at the Vieux-Port springs into life daily at 8am. Here, you'll find a flurry of cleaning and scaling and a handful of stalls hawking eels, cockles, sea snails and other squiggly sea creatures that go into Marseille’s local dish, the bouillabaisse. Be on the lookout for a flat, orange-red shellfish called "œil de Sainte-Lucie" ("the eye of Saint Lucy"), which is said to bring good luck.

After a coffee in the marina, stroll five minutes uphill to Marché des Capucins food market. Open daily (except Sunday), this lively, sometimes chaotic market is bursting with colour, noise, and fine fruit, breads, charcuterie and cheeses. Don’t be intimidated by the hustle and bustle, it’s the perfect place to absorb Marseille’s unique and non-stop energy.

Whether you’re lazing on hidden beaches, exploring street art-covered alleyways or savouring a glass of pastis with the locals, Marseille’s unique charm ensures every moment is an adventure. If you're looking to explore further afield, did you know that Marseille is also very close to one of France's best wine routes?