Best Day Trips from Marseille, France

The gateway to Provence captivates with its grand Byzantine basilica overlooking the sun-drenched coastal city. You could spend blissful weeks just eating Bouillabaisse by the water at the historical Vieux Port and hopping between museums and galleries if you choose to stay in Marseille. But, when the urge for new scenery strikes, it’s impossible to resist Marseille day trips that range from hiking to breathtaking beaches to visiting medieval hilltop villages. 

Admire aristocratic mansions in Aix-en-Provence and sample the local wine in postcard-pretty Cassis. In Arles, see the Roman theatre after fuelling up at markets bursting with fresh produce and scrumptious pastries. Don’t worry about transport if you don’t have a car. It’s easy to take organized tours, or public transportation from the city centre to many of these delightful destinations.

Related Reading: Best Things to do in Marseille

Get happily lost in the photogenic streets of Cassis, flanked by the natural wonders of Cap Canaille and the Calanques National Park, and overlooked by the majestic Chateau de Cassis. Then, choose a cafe terrace for an aperitif while soaking up the quaint, fishing village atmosphere with yachts bobbing on the water.

Cool down at the town beach, Plage de la Grande Mer. There’s a shingly strip to sunbathe on and tranquil water for splashing with the kids or exploring with a pedalo. Change beachy scenes at Bestouan at a bar right by the water or restaurants along the promenade. You’ll want your snorkel (and your reef shoes to get over the rocks) at the peaceful Plage du Corton with a natural backdrop of cliffs dotted with trees. 

Have you read the classic The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas? Walk right into scenes from the book at the Chateau d’If. Get there via a quick boat trip from Marseille to discover the 16th-century island fortress that was a prison until the late 19th century. Famous political prisoners included French Revolution hero Count Mirabeau. 

Along with the ramparts and towers of the fortress, admire breathtaking views back to Vieux Port. Join a guided tour to learn about history or wander around with plenty of signs to read. Along the way, you’ll poke around spooky cells marked with the names of infamous inmates and get a sense of the desolate, isolated life prisoners experienced. 

The island is part of the Frioul archipelago of four small limestone islands that are also accessible by boat. Pomègues, the largest, features a fort and military remnants among jagged rock formations, with hiking trails through the dramatic landscape. There’s a village with shops and restaurants on Racoon and Ratonneau offers underwater magic for divers. 

Gear up for outdoor adventures on a day trip from Marseille to La Ciotat, which is about a 30-minute drive away. The shimmering coastline of inlets and coves is a snorkeller’s dream with plenty of picturesque walking trails for hikers. A favourite with families, head to Grande Plage for a sandy, sunbed-dotted stretch with playgrounds for the kids. 

The smaller Plage Lumière is no less popular with families and lined with lively restaurants. But if you want a pristine natural environment, La Ciotat is on the doorstep of Mugel Park in the Calanque National Park. Stroll through citrus and pine trees in the botanical landscape before snorkelling in the turquoise water of Calanque de Figuerolles. 

Meander along canals such as Saint-Sébastien and you’ll see why Martigues is nicknamed the ‘Venice of Provence’. Pastel-painted houses frame sailboats and people enjoy lazy lunches at restaurants on the cobbled quay. Where once painters captured the charming scene, photographers find plenty of stunning angles for romantic, postcard-worthy pictures. 

Pack your walking shoes to trek segments of the Côte Bleue walking trails along soaring cliffs with sparkling inlets. You’ll come to beaches including Plage de la Saulce overlooked by the Chapel of Sainte Croix. Find a spot on the sandy beach or rocky ledges surrounding the cove for a refreshing dip. 

Aix-en-Provence

One of the best towns near Marseille, Aix-en-Provence is likely to charm the socks off you. Start on elegant Cours Mirabeau, the central pedestrian avenue adorned with leafy cafe terraces, grand mansions and moss-covered fountains. More extravagant architecture awaits in the nearby Mazarin district, with 17th-century remnants such as the dolphin-decorated fountain in Place des Quatre Dauphins. 

Set aside time for an inspirational culture fix in Musée Granet. Thousands of masterpieces include those by Van Gogh and Picasso. Prefer to have a spa treatment? Romans enjoyed the warm thermal springs in Aix-en-Provence and you can too at Thermes Sextius Spa. 

Enchanting villages decorate the Luberon Valley at the very heart of the Provence region. You could spend weeks blissfully exploring lavender fields, vineyards and grand Renaissance manor houses scattered across the mountain ranges. However, on a day trip from Marseille, its best to choose one or two villages to discover in depth. 

Officially named as one of The Most Beautiful Villages in France, Roussillon stands out for stunning shades of ochre forged from the old ochre quarry. The contrast of yellows, oranges, reds and pinks against dark green pine trees and blue skies has inspired artists across the ages. Set out on the Ochre Trail and stroll through the village to art galleries and restaurants. 

The first sight of Gordes perched on a rocky promontory in the forest is breathtaking. Lacoste is dominated by ‘Marquis de Sade’s’ castle, which was renovated by fashion designer Pierre Cardin. In Menerbes, wander around the quaint shops and restaurants on your way up to the Chateau du Castellet.

There’s no doubt you’ve seen the magical photos of the lavender fields in the Valensole Plateau. The time to visit is from late June to early July when the air is fragrant with stunning purple rows of blooming flowers. Visit Lavandes Angelvin on the doorstep of Valensole village and enjoy lavender-flavoured ice cream while you explore. 

Close by is the Verdon Regional Natural Park where the landscape changes dramatically to the vertical cliffs of the Verdon Gorge. The wildlife-spotting and hiking paradise is home to the dazzling Sainte Croix Lake, the largest in the park. Hire kayaks or pedal boats to drift across the water as it transforms from emerald to turquoise and aqua. 

You don’t have to glam up to go to St Tropez, but the mega yachts and celebrity visitors cement its reputation as one of the world’s fanciest destinations. See and be seen on Pampelonne Beach where chic beach clubs rest on pristine white sand lapped by calm, turquoise water. 

It’s a different scene in the evocative Old Town. Lose yourself among the narrow alleyways to stumble upon designer boutiques and atmospheric restaurants. At the magnificent Citadelle, capture panoramic views over the town and ocean before a visit to the dungeons and the Maritime History Museum. 

Foodies make a beeline for Place de Lices where market stalls spill with fresh produce, pastries and spices. Otherwise, tempt your taste buds at Port de Saint-Tropez with views of luxury yachts after shopping at upscale boutiques. You might also want to take more than a few walks along the elegant promenade. 

Insider tip: If time allows, take a walk to Cap Taillat – a little hidden gem along the coastline from St Tropez. If you’ve seen the movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, you’ll recognize the beach at the end of the trail.

Hyères

The aristocracy and renowned artists loved retreating to Hyeres for winter sun in the 18th century, so it’s long been a French Riviera hotspot. As it rests between Marseille and Nice, it’s a little off the beaten tourist path as visitors flock to its glamorous neighbours. 

An enchanting medieval old town on the hill, Vieille Ville’s cobbled streets are lined with delis and wine bars to enjoy with great views of the grand Knights Templar Tower. Then it’s time to explore the four Remarkable Gardens that define the town’s nickname of ‘the lush garden of the French Riviera’. Castel Sainte-Claire’s garden is a standout as the former home of American novelist Edith Wharton. Olbius Riquier Park is the spot for kids to enjoy train rides among the palm trees. 

Down by the sea, kitesurfers dance with the wind at Almanarre where the sandy beach stretches for miles and captivates at sunset. Or hop on a quick ferry ride to one of the three Îles d’Or (Golden Islands). Hire bikes to pedal to exquisite white sand beaches on Porquerolles, and dive or snorkel in the Port-Cros National Park. 

A Marseille day tour to Arles gives you front-row seats to gorgeous art galleries surrounded by scenes straight from paintings by Van Gogh. Wander around the pale stone buildings and you’ll quickly see what inspired the Old Masters. Along the Rhône River, mansions with gargoyles and vines also transport you back in time. 

Leave plenty of time to discover the Roman treasures. Namely, the Colosseum with preserved galleries and terraces now used to host concerts. Delve further into the era at the Museum of Ancient Arles with astounding mosaics, jewellery and even an intact barge from around AD 50. 

Deciding what to eat is half the fun in this foodie town. Choose a shady cafe terrace in Place du Forum for pastis after an adventure in the underground Roman chambers of Cryptoportiques. Make sure you’ve got extra bags for goodies to take back from the Saturday markets. Think fresh cheese and lavender honey. 

Insider tip: You can download a map of the Van Gogh walking tour here to see where the artist gathered inspiration for several of his most famous works.

Camargue

South of Arles, the Grand Rhône and Petit Rhône meet the Mediterranean. In between, the Camargue highlights nature’s paintings of wetlands and dunes. See fabled pink flamingos in their natural habitat at the Parc Ornithologique du Pont du Gau and stroll across trails barely interrupting reed beds and marshes with your bird-watching binoculars ready. 

The walled medieval town of Aigues-Mortes is a stunner, dating back to the 13th century. Discover the castle gates and towers atop the wall walkway with spectacular views over the rose-coloured Salin (salt flats). Kids and big kids alike love rides on the Petit Train d’Aigues-Mortes. Commentary helps you learn about the sights including two 17th-century chapels and the salt marshes, where you can hop out and explore.

Gastronomic delights revolve around rice, as the only rice-growing region in France. Follow your nose to paella cooked outside in cast-iron pans, which tends to be creamier and nuttier than the Spanish version. Wash it down with delicious wines or even a refreshing rice beer. 

Insider tip: The salt marshes are open from April – November, with a range of experiences on offer including guided bike rides, hikes, or train rides. You can even partake in photography workshops at golden hour!

Avignon

One of the best places to visit near Marseille, Avignon is a beautifully preserved town with an intriguing past. You might recognise the enchanting Pont d’Avignon (Pont Saint-Bénézet). The ruined bridge once spanned the Rhône and inspired a nursery rhyme that ensures people still dance on it. Snap the best photos of it from Rocher des Doms park or the île de la Barthelasse.

It’s easy to stumble on charming spots for drinks on cafe terraces, especially along the cobbled Rue des Teinturiers where shady sycamore trees line the canal. Move on from quaint scenes to the largest Gothic palace ever built. Palais des Papes is a medieval marvel of battlements and towers housing treasures such as 14th Century frescoes by Matteo Giovannetti.

Nîmes is known as ‘the French Rome’ as the home of some of Europe’s most incredible Roman monuments. In about an hour and a half driving from Marseille, you’ll stand in front of the Roman Amphitheatre of Nîmes in the city centre. Poke around the backstage area once used to keep slaves in before arena battles. 

Head inside the Musée de la Romanité to see ancient artefacts including mosaic floors among interactive digital exhibits. The white building itself is a work of art, designed to represent the folds of a Roman toga. Speaking of clothes, the city’s textile heritage includes the world’s first denim products and it’s on display in the Musée du Vieux Nîmes.

The small village of Vers-Pont-du-Gard is framed by vineyards and the Unesco-listed Pont du Gard, one of the most visited ancient monuments in France. The mammoth, three-tiered bridge was once part of a system of channels built by the Roman Empire to move water from Uzès to Nîmes.

Pop into the museum to learn about the extraordinary feats of Roman engineering used to build it. Walk across the bridge for sweeping views over the Gard River or take the Mémoires de Garrigue trail loop to photograph the bridge from downstream. On summer nights, it’s illuminated with a sound and light show. 

Glamorous movie stars on the red carpet of its famous film festival often receive more attention than Cannes itself. This glitzy town presents the scenes you’d expect among couture boutiques and mega yachts. But when you follow the cobbled streets of the Old Town, Le Suquet, it’s easy to sense the fishing village past among faded pastel buildings. 

For jaw-dropping views, walk up to the Notre-Dame d’Esperance Church. To get a close-up look at the action, stroll along the palm-lined Boulevard de la Croisette. Start at the film festival’s home of Palais des Festivals and continue for around three kilometres of luxury hotels and boutiques on one side and the famous blue chairs facing the Mediterranean Sea on the other. 

It’s about a 30-minute drive from Cannes to the exciting capital of the Côte d’Azur, Nice. Here, the Promenade des Anglais is centre stage as it has been since 18th-century aristocrats swanned along in the sun. Settle in for people-watching on an iconic blue chair and take a selfie with the sculpture, La Chaise Bleue.

Before or after exploring the Old Town, splurge on a sunbed with a blue and white-striped umbrella at Opera Plage and wade into the calm Baie des Anges. Then, it’s just steps to the winding, atmospheric alleyways of Vieux Nice. Take a moment to drink it all in at Place Massena, the central square adorned with grand historic buildings painted in orange shades and checkerboard paving. 

To meander among palaces and opulent villas, visit the hilltop Cimiez neighbourhood. At the Archaeological Museum of Nice, step back in time with Roman bath and amphitheatre ruins. Love a rummage at the markets? Fill your bags with flowers, fresh produce and antiques at Cours Saleya.