Marseille
The old port city of Provence, 3 hours from Paris by TGV, with a basilica on the hill above it and the Calanques at the edge of town.
The short version
- The fastest TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon reaches Marseille Saint-Charles in 3 hours 3 minutes, with about 25 direct trains a day. From the airport, the A1 bus to Saint-Charles costs €15 and takes 30 to 50 minutes.
- Our Legendary Art and Provence can start at Marseille airport with a private transfer to Aix-en-Provence. You get three nights in Aix with the Hôtel de Caumont and a boat trip on the canals of Martigues, then two nights in Arles for Van Gogh, six days from $2,950 per person.
- Notre-Dame de la Garde, the basilica on the hill above the city, is free and open every day from 7:00 to 18:00. Bus 60 climbs to it from the Vieux-Port.
- The MuCEM, the museum of Mediterranean civilizations, costs €11, closes on Tuesday and is free on the first Sunday of the month. Its outdoor walkways and Fort Saint-Jean next door are free.
- Boats from the Vieux-Port run to the Château d’If and the Frioul islands, €26 return for both. The city museums, including the Vieille Charité, close on Monday, and their permanent collections are free.
What to see
Start at the Vieux-Port, the old harbor. Fishermen sell the morning catch on the Quai des Belges from about 7:30 to 12:30, under Norman Foster’s mirrored canopy.
Walk up into Le Panier, the oldest quarter, a few minutes behind the port. At the top stands the Vieille Charité, a 17th-century almshouse around a chapel that now holds two museums, open Tuesday to Sunday.
Cross the footbridge from Fort Saint-Jean to the MuCEM and walk its rooftop for the view over the harbor mouth. Next door, Cosquer Méditerranée is a replica of a painted cave whose entrance lies under the sea near the Calanques, €18 and booked online.
Take bus 60 up to Notre-Dame de la Garde for the view over the city and the islands. The gilded Virgin on its bell tower is more than 11 meters tall. Visitors are kept out of the basilica during Mass.
Take the boat to the Château d’If, the island prison of The Count of Monte Cristo. The château costs €7 on top of the boat, free under 18, and closes on Monday from late September to the end of March and in bad weather. For architecture, Le Corbusier’s Cité Radieuse of 1952 lets visitors into its inner shopping street and onto the roof terrace.
Getting there and around
TGV inOui and Ouigo trains run from Paris Gare de Lyon to Marseille Saint-Charles, and some Ouigo trains leave from Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy. Saint-Charles sits on a hill above the city center, with a grand staircase down toward the Canebière.
From the airport, the A1 bus to Saint-Charles takes 30 to 50 minutes for €15. A cheaper option is the €1.20 shuttle to Vitrolles station, five minutes away, with trains into Marseille all day.
Marseille has two metro lines, trams and buses. A ticket covers an hour of travel, and you can tap a contactless bank card on the reader.
For the Calanques, take bus B1 to Luminy and walk about 45 minutes to Sugiton, or take the train to Cassis for the boats; our Calanques page has the access rules. For the rest of Provence, take the TGV 35 minutes to Avignon, where our Best of Provence in Three Days meets you at the station with a driver.
When to go
Spring and autumn are the best seasons. July averages a high of about 31°C, and the mistral blows hard on seven to ten days a month, most often from February to April.
September to November is the wettest stretch. From June 1 to September 30 the Calanques follow fire-risk rules, and on red days the trails close.
The santons fair, with the little clay nativity figures of Provence, fills the Quai du Port from November 14, 2026 to January 3, 2027, with free entry.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the train from Paris to Marseille?
The fastest TGV takes 3 hours 3 minutes from Paris Gare de Lyon to Marseille Saint-Charles. There are about 25 direct trains a day.
How do I get from Marseille airport to the city?
Take the A1 bus to Saint-Charles station, €15 and 30 to 50 minutes depending on traffic, or the €1.20 shuttle to Vitrolles station and the train. Our Legendary Art and Provence meets you at the airport with a private transfer to Aix.
How many days do you need in Marseille?
Two. Spend one on the Vieux-Port, Le Panier, the MuCEM and Notre-Dame de la Garde, and the other on the boat to the Château d’If or a walk in the Calanques.
Is Marseille a good base for Provence?
For the coast and the Calanques, yes. For the hill villages, the Pont du Gard, Les Baux and the wine villages, Avignon is closer, and Avignon TGV is 35 minutes from Marseille. All our Provence trips except the art tour start there.
Is there a tour from Paris?
Yes. Legendary Art and Provence, six days from $2,950, meets you at Marseille airport or Avignon TGV and covers Aix, Martigues, Arles and the Alpilles. Our Best of Provence in Three Days, $1,925, and Six Days in Provence, $2,350, start at Avignon TGV, and the six-day trip ends on the Riviera in Nice.
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