10 Things to do in Marseille with Kids
I invite you to familiarise yourself with the best things to do with your family and children in the city of Marseille.
Child in Marseille | ©Thibaut Oskian
France is a country that is full of places of such significant beauty that they are some of the best tourist destinations in Europe. At the same time, cities like Marseille stand out among the various alternatives for having enough plans for tourists who go alone as well as for those who travel with children, family or friends.
I advise you to continue reading this publication that I have prepared for you, as it is a list that includes everything there is to see and do in Marseille, with a focus on the youngest members of the family.
1. Don't forget to take a trip to the Château d'If
Don't hesitate to book tickets for the Château d'If, as it is one of the most important attractions in Marseille and a very interesting activity for children. It is located on a fortified island of the same name. Therefore, to get there you can book a boat trip around Marseille, as some of the best boat trips around Marseille include this place as one of the essential stops on the route.
It is a 16th century fortress that became world famous during the 18th century for being a main setting of a novel by Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo. The site itself is quite beautiful, but at the same time it stands out because it offers extremely privileged views of the city of Marseille.
The island today offers you the opportunity to eat in a beautiful restaurant with a terrace and enjoy the views of this historic, perfectly preserved site that is part of the great cultural heritage of this French city.
Details of interest
- Opening hours: open daily from 10am to 5pm.
- Prices: Entrance to the château costs around €9, but is usually included in boat tours of the bay.
2. Enjoy a kayak tour in the Parc National Des Calanques
The Parc National Des Calanques is one of the great natural treasures of the French Côte d'Azur. For many it is the truest representation of the beauty that the Mediterranean coast can offer and is a rather wild and rugged terrain about 20 kilometres long and about 4 kilometres wide.
If you book a Calanques National Park hiking tour from Marseille or a Calanques National Park cycling tour, you'll enjoy the turquoise waters all along the way. Kayaks and small boats are also allowed in the park. It is undoubtedly one of the favourite destinations for families in Marseille.
So going on an excursion is one of the best things to do in Marseille in summer, as the water temperatures make it an excellent way to escape the heat. You should know that getting here is quite easy as there are public transport options that will take you to some of the nearest coves.
3. Organise a visit to the Museum of History of Marseille
Museums can be quite an entertaining activity for children depending on their age and interests. In the case of Marseille, you should know that the city's history museum is a great place to learn about the city's extensive past, which was founded around 600 BC. C.
It is one of the best museums in Marseille. It is a building that is located on an archaeological site very close to the old port. There are many exhibits that are fully interactive and designed so that children can learn about history while having fun during their visit.
On site you will also find audio guides available which are in both French and English and are quite appropriate to make learning a little more dynamic for both adults and children. Its strategic location also makes it an activity that you can complement with other plans on the same day such as booking a bike tour of Marseille. It is one of the city's great cultural treasures.
Interesting details
- Opening hours: open every day of the week except Mondays, from 10am to 6pm.
- Location: 2 Rue Henri Barbusse, 13001 Marseille, France.
- Prices: General admission costs approximately €6.
4. Have a family outing on the Cours Julien
Public squares lined with restaurants and cafés are another cultural highlight of the French identity. So it's no surprise to learn that one of the best things to do with kids in Marseille is a visit to one of these pleasant urban spaces. In fact, you can get to know all of them very comfortably if you book the bike tour of Marseille.
One of the most appropriate and fun of them all is the Cours Julien and is distinguished by its elongated and narrow shape that stretches for 800 metres. It is located to the west of Marseille's old port and is lined with cafés, restaurants, galleries, clothing and art shops all along its length.
It has quite a bohemian and modern atmosphere and is a great place to enjoy street art and graffiti. There is also a children's playground for the kids to enjoy while the parents take a break. This place, with its excellent culinary offerings, is part of some of Marseille's best gastronomic tours, which are a great way to get to know the city through the palate.
Interesting details
- Location: Cours Julien, 13006 Marseille, France.
5. Enjoy an afternoon in the Borely Park
France is a country characterised by the quality of its public spaces and the Borely Park is, according to some specialists, one of the best gardens in the whole country. It is a well-kept green space spread over 17 hectares in the south of Marseille where you will find a variety of activities. From the possibility of renting bicycles to taking a short trip on an artificial lake, and including children's playgrounds. Not forgetting a stroll along the various footpaths.
The park is named after a magnificent castle at one end of the grounds and a visit is also a good idea if you're interested in learning a little about decorative art, ceramics and fashion.
You should know that the park is part of some of the best tours of Marseille and is a great family entertainment activity if you're looking to save money, as access is completely free.
Interesting details
- Opening hours: every day of the week from 6am to 9pm.
- Location: Avenue du Parc Borély, 13008 Marseille, France
6. Take a ride on Le Petit Train de Marseille
Children need to be entertained with activities that appeal to them and a small train that runs through the most touristy areas is a great way to visit the city while the kids have fun. Le Petit Train de Marseille is a tour that runs along the city's coastline.
It's a good opportunity to enjoy a convenient alternative form of transport. I recommend you to book your tickets well in advance, as during the tourist season there may be several minutes of waiting time.
However, you should know that this is not the only option to involve your children in an entertaining way to get around the city. The best bike tours in Marseille are also a great way to get some exercise with the kids while exploring the city's architectural treasures.
Interesting details
- Hours of operation: The hours vary depending on the time of year, but in high season they run from 9am to about 7pm with a one-hour break at midday.
- Prices: Prices vary between €10 and €5 for adults and children depending on the route chosen.
7. Pay a visit to Ecopark Adventures - Marseille Saint-Jérôme
Amusement parks are a good entertainment alternative in most cities around the world and Marseille is no exception. If the idea of playing among trees through hanging trails that go from branch to branch sounds interesting to you, you have to visit the Ecopark Adventures - Marseille Saint-Jérôme.
It is located in the north-east of the city, about 5 kilometres from the centre of Marseille, and offers about eight routes that allow you to climb among the ropes. It also has a mini-park with much safer and more child-friendly areas. The park as such consists of two routes for teaching the basics of climbing while the other six will get your adrenaline pumping.
The most demanding route of all features a zip line with a free fall of 170 metres. If safety is something that worries you, you should know that all the routes use lifelines that guarantee the physical integrity of adults and children.
Interesting details
- Opening hours: open from Wednesday to Sunday, from 1pm to 7.30pm.
- Location: 20 Boulevard Madeleine Rémusat, 13013 Marseille, France.
- Prices: Admission for over 13s is around €24 while children aged 7-12 pay around €21.
8. Don't miss out on a day of children's fun at Le Bois des Lutins!
Fortunately, amusement parks abound in Marseille and Le Bois des Lutins is one such place you can't miss on your visit to the city if you're looking for children's entertainment plans. It is a picturesque natural attraction with an adventure playground that is inspired by goblins.
The land covers a total of 4 hectares and offers visitors a variety of environmentally friendly activities such as go-karts, zip lines, water slides and hanging trails. It has everything you need to enjoy an excellent plan if you are looking for activities that are focused on children's entertainment.
This is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Marseille in June for the simple fact that it is the holiday season. As such, the park often organises special events to further complement its commitment to quality children's entertainment.
Interesting details
- Opening times: during the summer they are usually open every day from 10am to 7pm. The rest of the year Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 6pm.
- Location: ZI de, 13124 Peypin, France.
- Prices: Prices range from €9 for children under 5 years old to €16 for those over 5 years old.
9. Take part in the Marseille sightseeing bus rides
A ride on the Marseille tourist bus can also be a great way to keep the kids entertained. Especially because it is a very practical means of transport that allows you to move through the most touristy and interesting areas of the city at an economical price and in a two-level vehicle with a completely open roof. A fun experience -
East stops at the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde, the city's town hall located in the Old Port. You can buy one or two-day bus tickets. You can get on and off as many times as you like.
Depending on the time of year, the opening hours and running times of Marseille's best tourist buses may change slightly. However, they are usually available for you from early morning until late afternoon.
10. Spend a day at the Prado Beaches
Just a couple of metres from Borely Park are the Prado Beaches and is one of the things to see and do in Marseille, especially if the weather is good. This stretch of Marseille's coastline is made up of white sands stretching for about three kilometres or so between the Roucas nautical centre and the old port of Le Pointe Rouge.
It is part of the Parc Maritime du Prado and is an urban area that includes some seven beaches and a variety of facilities for the entertainment of tourists and locals.
If you decide to visit this place during the summer you should be aware that you will encounter a large number of people. However, just like during the rest of the year, it is a good place to enjoy with the family while playing on the different volleyball courts and skating rink, enjoying the climbing wall or eating at some of the different food stalls or restaurants in the area.
Interesting details
- Location: 108 Allée du Prado Bleu, 13008 Marseille, France.