Marseille Sights by Cost: Free First, Then Paid
Marseille Sights by Cost: Free First, Then Paid
Some of the most memorable things to see in Marseille cost nothing, and the paid ones are easier to choose once you know what the free ones give you.
Free: the landmarks
Notre-Dame de la Garde, the hilltop basilica built from 1853 to 1864, charges no entry and opens daily from 07:00. It closes at 18:15 from October to March and 19:15 from April to September. Its terrace gives the best view in the city.
The MuCEM’s J4 terrace, the 115-metre footbridge and the grounds of Fort Saint-Jean are also free. Louis XIV had the fort built in 1668. The Cathédrale de la Major, finished in 1893 after four decades of work, is free too, as are the Vallon des Auffes and the gardens of Palais Longchamp.
Paid: the museums
MuCEM exhibitions cost €11, or €7.50 reduced, and the galleries are closed on Tuesdays. Cosquer Méditerranée, the replica of a Paleolithic cave, costs €18 for adults, with lower prices for ages 6 to 17. The history museum behind the Vieux-Port has free permanent displays and charges only for temporary shows. The two museums at Palais Longchamp cost about €5 each. Check each on its own site, such as mucem.org .
Paid, with two bills: Château d’If
The fortress island is the one sight with two separate costs. The RTM ferry costs €17.70 return for visitors, or €26 with the Frioul islands as well. The fortress entry adds €7, with free entry for EU residents under 26. Plan on roughly €25 per adult. The island is closed on Mondays from October to March, and sailings depend on wind and sea. See rtm.fr and chateau-if.fr .
Paid, for the ride: the Petit Train
The 1 hour 15 minute loop to the basilica runs from the Quai du Port and costs about €8 to €11 for adults. If you plan to ride a lot of buses, the RTM 24-hour pass at €6.70 or the 72-hour at €14 is better value than single tickets at €1.70.
A budget day
Spend a day on free sights only: the basilica in the morning, the footbridge and fort at midday, the Major in the afternoon and the Vallon des Auffes at sunset. If you would like a guide, compare Marseille sightseeing tours on GetYourGuide and read what is included.
Watch your bag
Pickpockets favour crowded hubs such as the station and the Vieux-Port quays, so keep valuables zipped away.
For fuller routes see the day trips page and the 2-day Marseille itinerary . The tourist office lists current hours.
Tip: bundle the free sights into a single day and give the Château d’If its own morning with the ferry booked first.