Marseille, the Phocaean city so loved by some and so decried by others, is a port city with a rich past, which never leaves anyone indifferent. It is the oldest city in France and originally a large port where many peoples docked throughout its history. The ancient Massalia is a magnificent city that rises and falls with its neighborhoods, surrounded by pine forests, limestone rocks and scrubland without forgetting the famous creeks that offer a sumptuous landscape. Dominated by the Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde basilica built on the site of a watchtower that watched over the Estaque gulf and the arrival of boats in its port, one would think that Marseille was only turned towards the sea, but that's not knowing it well. The tourist guide on Marseille takes you to discover its incredibly eventful and yet romantic history, a history to be discovered without delay on its historical sites such as the castle of If, this old prison perched on its island. Not to mention that the city has changed, neighborhoods have been transformed, museums have been built or restored and one of the most emblematic is certainly the MUCEM.
The best time to go to Marseille is in the spring or fall, during the low season. Hotel and restaurant rates are much lower than in summer during this period and the beaches are almost deserted. As for the climate, it is ideal, warm but not too hot, and you can often swim from spring and sometimes until the end of November in autumn. Winter is the very low tourist season but the climate remains mild with the possibility of doing many hikes under the sun. The high tourist season is of course the summer, in July and August, the roads are crowded and the prices easily go from simple to triple. It is then necessary to book early if you want to have a place and not to lose all your savings. Marseille is indeed a city that is becoming more and more touristic and it is not only popular with the French but also with a great number of foreign tourists. If you go to Marseille in the summer, it is a good time for outdoor festivals and you can easily find a complete list of these festivals at the tourist office.
The climate in Marseille is Mediterranean. Winters are mild and sunny with temperatures averaging 15°C and moderate rainfall with occasional snow in the mountains. However, in the summer, the heat can be scorching in Marseille with temperatures reaching 35°C on the coast in August during the peak tourist season. In spring, nature is in bloom and the weather is pleasant. In autumn, the weather is mild and the landscapes are colorful. These low season periods are therefore very popular.
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