Karibu Paris Tour
Karibu Paris Tour

France ·

Marseille, France

Most open-top bus tours are the last way you'd want to explore a city. Not so in Marseille. It’s a beautiful way to see the stunning regeneration that's taken place over the last decade. And it drops you off at some of the best beaches along the winding coastal road too. Spend an afternoon at the sandy Catalans Beach, the nearest stretch to the Vieux Port; it’s reached by narrow steps, and has an underwater trail for snorkellers. Then, hop back on to continue up to the Romanesque-Byzantium Notre-Dame basilica and admire the 33-foot statue of the Madonna and Child adorned in gold leaf.

Best time to go
High season
Traveler rating
★ 5/5

About Marseille, France

Marseille has something of a seedy past. In the 1970s, this port city was the largest supplier of heroin to the USA. Hard to imagine that now, especially after the £420-million facelift for its stint as European City of Culture in 2013. And with 300 days of sunshine every year, it is surprising that it has never become a sure-fire hit. I ventured there to shoot a film, The Irish Wine Geese, set in the South of France. Here are our insider tips: the best things to do in Marseille.