Marseille is wonderful to visit in the summer, with its warm but dry weather you’ll sweat but the sweat won’t stay long. Also, remember to bring moisturising products and lip balm when travelling to the city to prevent sensitive skin and lips from cracking. Right on the Mediterranean coast, it’s not just a great city for retirement with plenty of good seafood, it is also a huge urban canvas for rebellious teenagers to spray graffiti on. I could be art – depending on who you ask.
Though Marseille may be known for its coastline, neither of my two favourite spots in the city are on the coast. The Palais Longchamp houses two museums inside the elegant example of 19th century architecture. My other favourite place has to be the Marseille Cathedral, more correctly known as the Cathedral of St. Mary Major. It has been recently restored and is still undergoing continuous restoration so it is even more beautiful than the Notre-Dame de la Garde, even if it has a better view at the hilltop.
Palais Longchamp 
Palais Longchamp 
Marseille Cathedral 
Notre-Dame de la Garde 
View from Notre-Dame de la Garde 
View from Notre-Dame de la Garde
Around the port area, visitors will find the Château d’If, the MuCEM Museum, the Abbey of St. Victor, and a public art piece by Norman Foster featuring an upside-down mirror. Another interesting area to discover is the historic quarter around La Vielle Charité. The building has had mixed uses in the past, but it is restored and used for exhibitions on history and culture, some of which are free to access.
Harbor 
Harbor 
Abbey of St. Victor 
MuCEM Museum 
MuCEM Museum 
Norman Foster’s work 
La Vielle Charité 
La Vielle Charité
Notably, the first Unité d’Habitation by Le Corbusier is also in Marseille for those looking for something built after the mid-20th century.
