Marseille is the largest Mediterranean resort and the second most populous city in France. After arriving from a cruise ship, it will pleasantly refresh you with fresh wind and southern romance. This is a bright and noisy town that evokes different feelings among tourists: some will love it with all their souls at first sight, while others may be put off by its noise, simplicity and straightforwardness.

Today, the French port of Marseille is far from the stereotypes of sleepy and calm seaside towns. Yes, these are the same colorful markets, seafood and delicious bouillabaisse. But it is also an explosive mixture of emigrants, especially African Comorians. The most amazing thing is that there are even more Comorians here than in Comoros itself!

But if you want to see the real life of the French, feel the temperament and energy of the sea, Marseille is exactly what you need!

Old port of Marseille and Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica on the hill

Walk through the Old Quarter of Pannier

If you just arrived in Marseille on a cruise ship, your route will probably start from Place Joliette, since the exit from the port is located there, and this is where the free port bus and transfers of many cruise companies arrive. From the square you can walk to the old quarter of Panier.

The area was destroyed by the Nazis during the war and was completely blown up with dynamite, starting from the embankment to rue Caisserie. But once you get here, you immediately feel a unique bohemian atmosphere, noting the warm facades of 2-3-story houses, bistros and art galleries. The streets here are confusing, going up and down, so you can easily get confused in the oldest district of Marseille. Better take a card.

In the center of the Old District is the Old Almshouse, La Vieille Charité, a building of 3 floors that houses the scientific and cultural center of the city, including the Museum of Archeology and the Museum of African, Oceanic and Aboriginal Arts.

In the Pannier quarter, everyone can experience the daily life of Marseille. If you want something tasty, be sure to try pastis - aniseed vodka at Le Charité Café. This is a cozy bistro serving drinks and light snacks and is self-service. By right, the Old Quarter of Le Panier is called the most authentic district of the city, the “Marseille Montmartre”.

Visiting the Old Port from the embankment

Now from Le Panier we move south, towards the port. Arriving at the Old Port, tourists can stroll along the docks, enjoy the view of small ships, and dine on delicious fish dishes.

By the way, in the port of Marseille, be sure to order the signature fish soup - bouillabaisse. The most delicious, but not the most affordable, dish can be enjoyed, for example, at the Le Miramar restaurant (12 Quai du Port). There are also plenty of other culinary delights to choose from using seafood for real gourmets.

In the north of the Old Port (7 Promenade Robert Laffont), it is worth visiting the city's newest museum, the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations, with an amazing exhibition telling the story of the origins of European culture.

In general, here you will experience everything that this city is full of at the moment.

Vendor at a market in the old port area of ​​Marseille

We go to Notre-Dame de la Garde

After walking around the Old Port and enjoying the views of the embankment, you can head to Notre-Dame de la Garde. You can get to the Basilica from the Old Port by a tourist train (it costs about 7 euros) or by bus number 60.

The area around the basilica is similar to the Haussmannian architectural structures of Paris. From the roof of the cathedral you will see stunning views of Marseille. Anyone interested in architecture and art should visit the Cathedral Museum.

The Basilica of Our Lady of the Guardian will inspire you with its amazing combination of different architectural volumes and contrasting interior decoration. This is the most popular attraction in Marseille, France!

View of Marseille from the observation deck of Notre-Dame de la Garde

Restaurant in Notre-Dame de la Garde

Are you dizzy from the beauty you saw and are you hungry again? Then head to a restaurant in Notre-Dame de la Garde. The lower part of the church is also the "administrative" building. There is a consultation point, a souvenir shop and a fragrant establishment - L’Eau Vive. This restaurant is a discovery for many! In addition to a variety of dishes and more or less reasonable prices (a set meal costs about $10-13), you can enjoy a beautiful view of the city. The nuns of the Travailleuses Missionnaires de l’Immaculée order, who will be your waitresses, give the restaurant a special luster.

Chateau d'If

If time still permits, head back to the Old Port and from there take a tour of the Château d'If. Frioul-If-Express ships leave the pier throughout the day, the ship schedule is given along with tickets at the ticket office (the ticket office is located on the left side of the port, looking out to sea).

Entrance to the castle costs 5 euros per person. It was originally built to defend Marseille in the 16th century. But after that they began to use it as a prison.

This is the place of imprisonment of Dantes, the hero of Dumas from the famous “The Count of Monte Cristo”, who became an accidental victim of betrayal and was able to escape after a 14-year imprisonment on the island. Here you can feel how the man in the iron mask lived.

The island itself is small, but it is very interesting to climb into the ancient casemates. From the island you can also enjoy the coastal panorama of Marseille and sunbathe on a specially designated area. The location is ideal for a relaxing walk.

Château d'If from the observation deck of the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde

Calanques

If you have inspiration and strength, go to the calanques - stunning geological formations. For transfers you can use Icard Maritime boats. They depart from the Old Port and the excursion lasts about 2 hours. The best period to visit the calanques is March-May, at this time the temperature is quite pleasant and you are unlikely to get caught in the rain, unlike in the autumn period.

Returning to the Old Port again after a busy day of sightseeing, you will be able to board your cruise ship with a huge baggage of emotions. Marcel amazes and inspires, but he leaves no one indifferent!

Where to stay before and after your cruise?

For a port stop before a cruise, try Airbnb, where you can rent a full-fledged apartment for the price of a hotel room. By registering using our link you will receive coupon for 2100 rub. for your first stay from RUB 4,500!

The best things to do in and around the port of Marseille

We selected these hotels based on our own experience and the experience of other cruise travelers. Determining factors when choosing: proximity to the Marseille cruise terminal, the ability to quickly and easily get to the ship, as well as the airport or train station.

(2 votes, average: 5,00 out of 5)

Sights of Marseille - what to visit in 1 day.

Marseille - Mediterranean port of France

If you're traveling through France or the Provence region, try to stop in Marseille for a day. Obviously, one day is not enough to experience the beauty of the city as a whole, but here is a list of some attractions in Marseille that guarantee a full day of enjoyment.

Article about:

Information about Marseille

Map of Marseille attractions

This city is located southeast of the French coast. Marseille is the administrative center of the department of Bouches-du-Rhône, district of Marseille. Located on the shores of the Gulf of Lyon, near the mouth of the Rhone River, with which the city is connected by a canal. In 2013 - European Capital of Culture.

The area of ​​the commune is 240.62 km², the population is 852,516 people (2012), the population density is 3543.0 people/km².

It still has the largest commercial port in the country. Although Marseille is vibrantly cosmopolitan, it also bears traces of its 2,500-year history dating back to the time of the Phoenicians.

Marseille offers you excellent nightclubs, restaurants, cafes, museums and theaters.

Notre-Dame de la Garde is a cathedral built in 1853-1864, located at the highest point of the city. Even though it is located at a height, the building itself is 500 feet tall! So essentially, you don't have to physically see the cathedral. At the top you will find an elaborate statue of Mary and Jesus.

The Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde is the most visited place by tourists in Marseille.

Vieux Port

Vieux Port in Marseille

This is the main stop on your trip to Marseille. Port Vieux is also called the old port, which contains many tourist attractions. Examples include La Canebiere and Le Panier streets, where you will find traditional street shops.

Le Corbusier's secluded home (Cite Radieuse)

This “garden city” was designed and built by the extraordinary architect Le Corbusier in 1952. It is also known as the "Radiant City" or Cite Radieuse in French. You'll find shady hallways and light fixtures with simple colors.

These features result in the creation of unusual tunnels that lead to a supermarket, a bookstore with books on architecture, and even an indoor desert garden. Of course, this is a modern building, and you may not like it if you are interested in architecture.

Chateau d'lf

Remember “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas? This is the same island of If and on it is located the fortress prison of the same name, in which the count was imprisoned.

You can reach the castle from the port of Vieux by sailing boat. This should be on your priority list for a day trip.

L'Escale Borely area

L'Escale Borely area

L'Escale Borely is another must-see on your Marseille trip. Here you will find many restaurants and cafes that overlook the waterfront, providing great views throughout the day.

A great place to relax at the end of a walking day. The view of the sea and sunset will be remembered for a long time. You can ride the Ferris wheel or lie on the beach.

Frioul Islands (IIes du Frioul)

The islands of the archipelago are located 4 km from the center of Marseille, west of the Château d'If, and consist of small islets that were connected by a dam in the early 19th century.

These islands were previously used to quarantine people suffering from plague and cholera, and during World War II, Wehrmacht troops were stationed here. Here you can see seabirds and rare flowers growing on the islands.

As you can see, traveling around the South of France there is a lot to see. You can visit the most interesting places in Marseille in one day and continue your trip the next day with an overnight stay at a hotel.

How to get to Marseille

Marseille is one of the largest cities in the south of France; with full confidence it can be called the “gateway” to Provence, the most resort region of the country. Despite its status as a southern port city, Marseille is often visited by tourists, since it is quite difficult to overestimate its historical value. The city has been known since ancient times, and today tourists come to Marseille both by air and by water. Marseille is a frequent destination on European cruises. Today in our article we will tell you what to see in Marseille in 1 day, no matter whether it is a cruise stop or a trip to Marseille from neighboring cities.

Getting to Marseille is quite easy. In addition to the seaport where cruise ships arrive, Marseille also has its own arrival airport. True, there are no direct flights from Russia to Marseille yet, but you can fly with a transfer in Paris. The flights are operated by the French carrier AirFrance. If you want to get to Marseille, you can also make a transfer in other European countries, in which case air travel will be carried out by companies such as KLM, Brussels Airlines, Alitalia, etc. You can find out all the possible flight options from your city to Marseille on online booking services Aviasales , Buruki and other similar ones, allowing you to compare all available flights for specific dates.

Tiberio Frascari/flickr

Marseille-Provence Airport is located 27 km from the city center. You can get there from the airport by bus, train or taxi. Bus transportation is carried out by the company Navette , one way travel will cost a little more than 8 euros. Buses run throughout the day every 15-20 minutes. Trains also run from the airport with the same frequency, and they arrive at the main railway station of Marseille. The fare varies between 4-6 euros one way. The carrier is a French railway company SNCF .

At night you can get from the airport to Marseille by taxi. You can find a car upon arrival, or book a car transfer in advance, then the car and driver will already be waiting for you by the time you arrive. Travel time by taxi to the city center will take about 20 minutes. You can book an individual transfer in advance on specialized online services and other similar ones.

If you plan to travel a lot and not limit yourself to visiting only Marseille, then it may make sense to rent a car. Car rental offices can be found right at Marseille airport. To rent a car, you only need to have your passport, driver’s license and bank card to pay for services. You can view the list of all rental companies at Marseille airport in the search engine Rentalcars , you can also book the car you need in advance. Marseille Airport and the city center are connected by highway No. A7.

You can read more about how to get to Marseille from other cities in France, Italy, Spain in a separate article:. The article lists all known methods, including buses, trains, taxis and cars.

You can stay in Marseille in standard hotels of different star categories, as well as in guest houses, hostels and other budget accommodation options. Renting apartments is also popular in Marseille. As a rule, it is cheaper, but you will have to take care of your own food. You can find out more about availability and cost of living in Marseille for specific dates on booking sites Booking , Hotellook and others.

What to see in Marseille

Marseille, without exaggeration, is a very colorful city with its own unique atmosphere. But, in addition, Marseille is also a city with a rich history and architectural heritage, with gourmet restaurants, museums and art galleries, natural attractions and modern entertainment. In order to explore all the interesting places in Marseille, a week is not enough, but in practice, most often, tourists stay in Marseille for 1-2 days and get acquainted only with its main attractions. Next, we will tell you about the main places in Marseille that are definitely worth seeing if you are in the city for the first time and for a short time.

Marseille Cathedral and Notre-Dame de la Garde

These cathedrals are two of the most significant religious monuments in Marseille. Marseille Cathedral was built in the 19th century in the Romanesque-Byzantine style. Its external appearance attracts special decorations made of white and green marble, as well as towers, each 70 meters high. Inside the cathedral you can see amazingly beautiful mosaics, sculptures and bas-reliefs. The cathedral is a functioning Catholic cathedral and is open to the public.

The Cathedral of Notre-Dame de la Garde is an equally famous architectural monument. It is located on a hill, so its outline can be seen from many areas of the city. The cathedral was built in the 18th century, and its main “highlight” for several centuries has been the tower topped with a statue of the Virgin Mary and Child. The statue is gilded and its height is 11 meters. The cathedral is active, and is open to everyone who wants to visit it (subject to the dress code, clothing must be closed).

cat_collector/Marseille Cathedral

Old port of Marseille and Château d'If

Marseille is a port city, and everyone knows about it. It would be strange to find yourself in Marseille and not visit its old port, which is the “calling card” of the city. The best time to see life at the port is early in the morning when the fishermen set out to sea on their fishing boats. In the evenings, at sunset, there is also a pleasant atmosphere, fresh seafood restaurants are open, and from the windows of cafes and restaurant terraces there is a stunning view of the harbor. In the afternoon, from the port you can go on a boat trip to the mysterious Chateau d'If.

The Chateau d'If, which became widely known thanks to Alexandre Dumas' novel The Count of Monte Cristo, is located off the coast of Marseille on one of the Friulian Islands. Excursion boats go there every day, and the castle itself is always popular among tourists. The fortress was built on the island at the beginning of the 16th century and initially had defensive purposes, but ironically it was never subjected to enemy attacks. Later, the fortress began to be used as a prison, in which, according to Dumas’ novel, the Count of Monte Cristo was kept. Today the fortress is open to visitors and serves exclusively for tourism purposes.

The Chateau d'If is open daily, except Mondays, from 10 am to 5 pm (in summer - until 6 pm). The entrance ticket costs 6 euros per person, and you will also have to pay about 11 euros for a seat on a pleasure boat that runs between the old port of Marseille and the Friulian Islands.

cat_collector/Castle d'If

Longchamp Palace and Borely Palace

The palaces of Marseille amaze with their pomp and pomp. Take at least two of them - Longchamp Palace and Borely Palace; their architecture cannot be ignored. Longchamp Palace, for example, is made in a magnificent Baroque style, and it was built in the 19th century. The palace is decorated with an adjacent garden, a fountain complex, sculptures, the Arc de Triomphe and much more. On the territory of the palace there is a natural history museum, and in the garden there is an observatory.

The Boreli Palace was built in the 18th century; now there are several museums on its territory, but previously the eminent Boreli family lived here. It is not only the lush Baroque palace that attracts attention, but also its landscaped gardens. Here you can see a typical French park, an English garden, and even a botanical garden with quite rare tropical plants. The park promenade will lead you straight to the sea with its magnificent landscapes. The Borely palace and park complex is perhaps the best place in all of Marseille for long walks.

Ajay Suresh/Longchamp Palace

Abbey of Saint-Victor

If you love ancient architectural monuments, then you should definitely visit the Abbey of Saint-Victor, which was built in Marseille back in the 11th century. The monastery is no longer active and is more of a historical site, but a small Catholic church remains here, which parishioners still visit to this day. By the way, the monastery got its name in honor of the martyr Victor, who was later canonized. A crypt with sarcophagi has also been preserved on the territory of the abbey, which is also open to the public.

Museums of Marseille

There are quite a lot of museums in Marseille, most of which have a clearly artistic focus. These, in particular, include the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Modern Art, as well as the private collections of Grobe-Labadie, Borel and others. Natural science museums are also popular in Marseille, for example, the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations, the Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Modern Archeology and many others. There are also more “exotic” museums, for example, the Museum of Faience, which has a very impressive collection. You can find this museum in the Boreli museum complex.

Ghost-in-the-Shell/Marseille Harbor

Excursions in Marseille

If you are limited in time, but want to see all the main attractions of Marseille or want to visit its immediate surroundings, then it makes sense to take an organized excursion. Such excursions can be group or individual, walking or bus (car), city or country. A full list of proposed excursion walks in Marseille in Russian can be found on the excursion booking service.

On a note:

When going on a trip to France, do not forget to take out a travel insurance policy, which is mandatory already at the stage of obtaining a tourist visa. You can take out insurance yourself without leaving your home. There are special services for this, such as

If you have never been to Marseille, and your impression of this city was formed by the films “Taxi” and “22 Bullets,” then when you finally find yourself in the southern capital of France, you risk being very surprised. At first glance, there are no reckless taxi drivers or Provençal mafiosi, and the city itself is not much different from other cities on the Riviera. Here, look at the photo: the masts of the yachts, the outlines of Notre-Dame de la Garde, the typical southern color scheme, where the blue of the sky and sea predominate, the green of the trees and the yellow of the walls - that’s what Marseille is.

On the other hand, one cannot help but admit that Marcel fully corresponds to the stereotypes.

Yes, they make soap here.

Yes, houses in Marseille look exactly as you'd expect - sand-colored walls, tall windows, French balconies and shutters to block out the hot Mediterranean sun.

Yes, in the mornings in the area of ​​the Old Port, noisy fishermen sell small fish for the famous fisherman's broth bouillabaisse, which made Marseille famous throughout the world.

What to do if you have little time, if you are in Marseille literally for one day? I recommend starting from the Old Port - this is one of the main places in the center of Marseille, from where streets and avenues diverge in all directions. As you head deeper into the city, you'll see some pretty and distinctive houses and neighborhoods - but before you do, don't forget to admire the yachts at the local marina and take a ride on the Ferris wheel to spot all the landmarks.

Be sure to check out the forts of Marseille: they offer wonderful views of the city.

There are several forts and castles in Marseille, so there is plenty to choose from.

Some are marked by fame. It seems that our liberals have not yet reached France to explain to them that the word “patriotism”, in accordance with the requirements of new times, should be considered abusive.

Some, frankly speaking, look completely un-French. As for me, such a fortress would look much more appropriate on the opposite shore of the Mediterranean Sea.

And everyone knows some. Meet the Chateau d'If. Built in the Friulian Islands, a mile from Marseille, it became the imprisonment site of the Iron Mask (who was never actually there) and Edmond Dantes (who never actually existed) - and the fame of these prisoners still attracts crowds to Château d'If tourists.

However, it is not necessary to go to the castle itself if you have little time. You can admire it from the shore, since the castle is clearly visible from here, and you’ll also have time to capture other attractions.

For example, the same Notre-Dame de la Garde Cathedral. It is built on a high hill, it will be difficult to get to it on foot, but, after all, there is public transport, tourist buses and the famous Marseille taxi. The ticket for these tourist buses, as expected, is valid all day, and you can get off and on as often as you like, so this is one of the most convenient and versatile ways to explore Marseille in one day.

For me, however, the main attraction of Marseille is the city itself. Tired of the piles of thousands of anthills, the eye rests, looking at small houses crowded together, and the sea, which is visible from almost anywhere, inspires calm and tranquility.

So go to Marseille and don't be afraid of anything. Of course, it can be unsafe on the outskirts, but this can be said about any city in the world - but Old Marseille definitely deserves attention.

August 4th, 2010 , 05:02 pm

So, friends, I’m starting a series of reports about our summer trip to France. Its main goal, of course, was Corsica, to which we decided to “swim”, using the Nice - Ajaccio ferry. However, we couldn’t deny ourselves the pleasure of staying for a couple of days in our beloved Nice.

You are my beauty!!!

Water is a miracle!

Why don't we have a sea? Every day I would sit on its bank and think about something pleasant...

OK! Nice, of course, is good, but while still in Moscow we decided to go from there to Marseille for one day. Tickets for the TGV were ordered and paid for online (www.sncf.com 140 euros for two, round trip). All that remained was to receive them at the checkout (electronic printouts are not possible, as well as delivery by courier). Unfortunately, we had to wait in line. Despite the fact that, in general, it was small, we spent an hour. I generally got the feeling that people who applied to the ticket office were deciding at the last moment where, when and what they wanted to go on. They had too long conversations with the cashiers...

So, on the appointed day and time we showed up at the Nice station, but, alas, the departure of our train was delayed by two hours and instead of 7.23 we set off at 9.20. Unfortunately, these two hours were clearly not enough for us later.

Even though the TGV is a high-speed train, the journey to Marseille is two and a half hours (the same as a regular train). Apparently, there is simply no room for him to accelerate there, and there are a lot of stops.

So, we arrived at Marseille station around noon...

The first thing we did was find a tourist office at the station, take maps of the city, receive some instructions on how to get to the center, answer the question “where did we come from in France” (by the way, all the travel agencies asked us about this later. Apparently, for some kind of internal reporting) and went out into the city.

By the way, this is what Saint-Charles station looks like from the outside...

The first thing you notice is the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde, towering over the entire city (162 meters above sea level).

The impressive staircase from the station leads down to the Boulevard Athena Dugommier...

This is how this staircase looks from the boulevard...

So, our path lies to the old port. We walk along Atena Dugommier Boulevard... The heat is terrible...

About five hundred meters later the boulevard intersects with the central artery of the city - La Canbière Boulevard.

So what is next? And then, guys, I saw practically nothing. In a figurative sense, of course. Marseille seemed so big to me, and there was so little time that we only managed to touch this city. Our meeting with him was so fleeting that I don’t even have the right to think about whether Marcel liked me or left me indifferent: I almost didn’t see him!

In addition, we were relentlessly followed by the main summer enemy of tourists - heat. It seems like we need to move at a good pace, but it doesn’t work. Your brain is melting, your legs are sluggish, you just want to sit somewhere in the shade. In general, we decided to contemplate the city, throwing our asses on a tourist bus from the “Hop-On” series. Nor-Off.” (Starts from the Old Port. 20 euros for one ticket).

In the meantime, we are moving towards the Old Port along La Canbière Boulevard...

But, in fact, the port itself... It turned out to be much closer than we thought. It's a twenty minute walk from the station.

There are only yachts, small pleasure boats and even kayaks (or whatever they call it correctly?)

Large cruise ships dock a little to the north, where the Marine Station is.
So, from the Old Port numerous tourist boats depart for boat trips (including to the Isle of If). Here are the final stops for all kinds of land entertainment, such as a small tourist train (7 euros for one ticket. There is no escort in Russian).

There are two directions: a tour of the Old Town and a tour to the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde. Unknowingly, we chose the latter. Later, when we boarded the Hop-On bus. Hop-Off”, it turned out that he also takes tourists to the basilica and drops off those who wish to do so. In general, we did the same route twice: first by train, and then by bus, and we also lost a lot of time. But that’s why we are independent tourists, to make mistakes and then warn others.

It is probably better to choose a small train with a tour of the Old Town, where the bus cannot go because... The streets are narrow, and you can get to the basilica either on your own, or on that same tourist train, or by public transport (bus No. 60 stops somewhere in the Vieux Port metro area, i.e. in the Old Port area). In general, we are going by train to the basilica! In such heat, climbing a rather steep hill is beyond my strength! However, it’s also possible to go down, although they say it’s a very pleasant walk: from the basilica down to the Old Port.

And here she is...

In the 13th century there was a small chapel on this site. Later, a fort was built on the hill, and the chapel itself was expanded. However, in the 19th century, the church bought the hill from the Ministry of Defense and built this basilica. On its bell tower there is a gilded statue of Our Lady, who is considered the patroness of Marseille and especially sailors, who brought her models of ships in gratitude for the lives they saved. The tradition of offerings is still alive.

We usually don’t take pictures inside churches, but for some reason we made an exception here...
Pay attention to the boats that hang on threads. These are the offerings of the sailors...

The views of the city from the foot of the basilica are quite impressive. Therefore, Notre-Dame de la Garde is considered the most visited tourist destination.

And here is the island of If with its world famous castle...

Meanwhile, we take the train down. The system is this: having arrived at the basilica on one of the trains, tourists unload and wander around the surrounding area as much as they please. After walking around, they return to the parking lot and, presenting their ticket, board any train that arrives. They go once every half hour. After going downstairs, wandering around the hot streets for an hour, having a snack, we decide to take a tourist bus and continue exploring the city.

We drive past one of the city beaches. Not far from the center I noticed only one - this one.

Basically, people are content with small, but their own pieces of the sea.

It’s great to have just your own ladder in the sea!

Or you can claim a huge block of stone!

Passing the island of If again...

And this is the so-called “Eastern Gate” - a monument erected in 1927 in memory of soldiers of all faiths who died “for France” in North Africa and Indochina.

Another view of the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde

Palace of Justice. A very important place for Marseille, as for the most criminal city in France!

This is already a new port and if you ignore some industrial landfill in the foreground, in the background you can see another landmark of Marseille - the 18th century Cathedral.

We saw this funny installation when we were already walking...

Pleasant area...

In principle, we saw, of course, more, but there is no evidence because It was not always possible to take photographs from a moving bus: we rarely stood. Traffic in Marseille is, of course, active, but we didn’t encounter any traffic jams. We didn't see anything criminal either. No one pestered us, no one snatched our camera, and our wallets were in place, although considering that most people from North Africa don’t even try to venture into the interior of the country, but settle right in Marseille, we were apparently lucky.
In a word, Marseille requires closer attention and if there is such an opportunity, we will gladly walk along its streets again, but not in such heat, not with so many tourists and more consciously.

PS When preparing this report, information from the Around the World guide was used. Thank you!