Marseille
Between traditional and modern, Marseille (or Marseilles in English) is a city you will love immediately. Blessed with the mild Mediterranean climate, this Phoenician city, with a sea front of some 60 kilometres, enjoys a privileged relationship with the sea. But Marseilles, called the “City of Art and History”, also enjoys a rich cultural heritage. Strolling around the Vieux Port (Old Harbour), or walking along the famous Cannebière, or going through the colourful fish market, it is the soul of Marseilles and its inhabitants that you will discover. Here is a city that is proudly attached to its traditions and way of life.
To discover, to understand, to wonder, and enjoy oneself, to marvel…So many entertaining opportunities to be enjoyed by the WHOLE FAMILY and which can be reached from your hotel in Marseilles.
Novotel Marseille Vieux Port
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With more than 2,800 hours of sunshine per year, Marseilles enjoys an exceptional rate of fine weather!
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The OM, the Olympic Football Club of Marseilles is a real institution and was the first French team to have won in 1993, a European Cup.
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It is the height of the Colline de la Garde! Built on its summit, the Notre-Dame church and its statue, “la Bonne Mère” (the Good Mother), protect the city and its inhabitants.
Museums and Exhibitions
Le Musée du Santon
It is difficult to talk about Marseilles without mentioning its santons (small ornamental figures). Marcel Carbonel, who has been making them for over 60 years, opens the doors of his kingdom to you. A marvellous experience for the whole family as you witness the birth of the small terracotta characters, usually hand-made and painted. The complete visit of the museum is truly magical as it shows you the techniques used to make these santons from the 18th century to today. There is also the owner’s private collection.
47/49, rue Sainte-Catherine, Marseille – Tel. : (+33) 4 91 13 61 36
Open from Tuesday to Saturday (January to November) and from Monday to Saturday (December) from 10 am to 12.30 pm and from 2.30 pm to 6.30 pm.
Le Musée du Savon de Marseille – Marseille Soap Museum
The soap maker Marius Fabre opens the door of his factory and its museum ! Young and old will discover the secrets transmitted from one generation to another of making the celebrated Marseilles soap. It is an opportunity to learn more about the history, the ingredients, the virtues and the sometimes surprising uses of this “small block” with such a typical flavour… Totally original!
148, Avenue Paul Bourret, Salons-de-Provence – Tel. : (+33) 4 90 53 82 75
From Monday to Friday from 9.30 am to 11.30 am and from 1.45 pm to 5 pm (4 pm on Friday) for the museum. The factory visit starts at 10.30 am on Monday and Friday.
Le Musée du Terroir Marseillais (Museum of Regional traditions)
The pleasantly warm atmosphere of this museum makes it a place to visit with the family. As you go through this museum, the children will feel they are going on a trip to the Provence of olden days! Thanks to thousands of artefacts, it will be possible for them to admire a magnificent collection of santons and traditional Provence costumes, without forgetting an impressive collection of musical instruments and toys!
5, Place des Héros, Marseille – Tel. : (+33) 4 91 68 14 38
From Monday to Friday from 10 am to 1 pm and on weekends from 2 pm to 5pm.
Zoos, aquariums, parks and gardens
Parc Grimpozarbres (Treeclimbing Park)
For families in search of thrills, the 82 activities, among which is a 100 m-long zip line, are set in the trees of this park and are a real treat. Located on the upper side of the Saint-Jérome quarter, it is an opportunity for children and parents to have a nice time outdoors. No need to be a keen sports fan, it’s all in good fun. Note that the Parcours Ouistiti is a trail specially designed for the very young, and they can give it a try from the age of…3!
20, Boulevard Rémusat, Quartier Saint-Jérôme, Marseille – Tel. : (+33) 4 91 12 29 46
Open on Wednesdays, weekends, bank holidays and school holidays, from 10 am to 5 pm (November to March) and from 9 am to 7 pm (April to October).
Le Parc Borély
By the sea, this park which is the largest in Marseilles, is very popular with its French garden, rose-nursery and English garden whose paths wind along a lake. It is ideal for family walks, and if you have bicycles, cycle tracks criss-cross this enchanting place!
Avenue du Prado, Marseille – Tel. : (+33) 4 91 55 24 82
The Botanic Garden
It is located within the rose-nursery of the Parc Borély. Here you will find a tropical green-house, medicinal plants, Chinese, Mediterranean, Japanese gardens… flora from all over the world! Note that Marseilles’s botanic garden offers gardening workshops and workshops for Chinese calligraphy or medieval illuminated calligraphy, all for children and parents!
48, Avenue Clot-Bey, Marseille – Tel. : (+33) 4 91 55 25 24
From Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 5.45 pm.
Kids’voyage’s special treats
The Museum of Fashion
Lovers of trousers, jackets and dresses of all kinds, this museum is for you! With a collection of more than several thousand articles which are particularly well preserved, you will discover garments that brought fame to great designers like Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Lacroix… An exceptional museum, and a real trip in time, that all the family will love! Guided tours and animations are available for the young and also for their parents.
11, La Canebière, Marseille – Tel. : (+33) 4 96 17 06 00
From Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm.
The Natural History Museum
Located in one of the wings of the Luxurious Palais Longchamp, the Marseilles Natural History Museum is a magical place for children, particularly the amazing Safari Hall with its collection of stuffed animals from all over the world, some of which are now extinct, or extremely rare. Prehistory, botanic and mineralogy are there too! A garden good for walking constitutes the palace grounds and can be explored… riding a pony!
Palais Longchamp, Boulevard de Montricher, Marseille – Tel.: (+33) 4 14 59 50
From Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm.
The Motorcycle Museum
Opened in 1989, Marseilles’s Motorcycle Museum (Musée de la Moto), presents on four different levels, an exceptional collection of “Bikes”. Children love this museum, located in an old and superbly refurbished Mill, which gives them a general vision of the world of motorcycles over a century and the evolution of its technology. An entertaining visit organized chronologically. For a fascinating journey in time…
18, Traverse Saint-Paul, Quartier du Merlan, Marseille – Tel.: (+33) 4 91 02 29 55
From Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 am to 5 pm
Some good places for a family meal
La Grotte (the Grotto)
A guaranteed change of scenery with this restaurant located in a small port at the beginning of the Calanques. For over a century this restaurant in an enchanting setting has been offering pizzas as well as fresh fish. A haven of peace!
1, Avenue Pébrons, Marseille – Tél. : (+33) 826 10 11 24
Open every day
Chez Fonfon
A family restaurant that is known as one of the best fish restaurants in Marseilles. Bouillabaisse and Mediterranean specialities are at their best! Well worth a visit!
140, Vallon des Auffes, Marseille – Tél.: (+33) 4 91 52 14 38
Open every day
L’Absainte
Two different and original types of atmosphere and a delicate and simple cuisine which the whole family will enjoy. On the ground floor a chic and modern brasserie – in the basement a medieval atmosphere!
49, Rue Sainte, Marseille – Tél. : (+33) 4 91 55 09 06
Open every day.
KIDS' VOYAGE travel guides and NOVOTEL hotels in Marseilles wish you an excellent stay.