10 Things to do in Marseille with Kids
I invite you to familiarize 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 with such a significant beauty that make it 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 both tourists who go alone and for those traveling 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 little ones of the house.
1. Don't forget to make an excursion 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 quite an interesting activity for children. It is located on a fortified island bearing the same name. So, to get there you can book a boat tour in Marseille, as some of the best boat tours in 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 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 10 am to 5 pm.
- Prices: the entrance to the castle costs about 9 € approximately, but it is usually included in the boat tours around 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 Riviera. 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 kilometers long and about 4 kilometers wide.
If you book a Calanques National Park hiking tour from Marseille or a Calanques National Park bike tour, you will enjoy the turquoise waters all along the way. In addition, kayaks and small boats are allowed in this place. Undoubtedly, it is one of the favorite destinations for families in Marseille.
So taking an excursion is one of the best things to do in Marseille in summer, since the water temperatures make it an excellent plan to escape from the heat. You have to know that getting to this place is something quite simple because there are public transportation alternatives that take you to some of the nearest coves.
3. Organize 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 very appropriate place to learn about the extensive past of this city, which was founded around 600 years BC. C.
It is one of the best museums in Marseille. It is a building that is located in an archaeological site very close to the old port. There are many exhibits that are fully interactive designed so that children can learn about history while having fun on the visit.
On site you will also find audio guides available that 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 allows it to be an activity that you can complement with other plans in the same day such as booking a bike tour of Marseille. It is one of the great cultural treasures of the city.
Details of interest
- Hours: open every day of the week except Mondays, from 10 am to 6 pm.
- 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 filled with restaurants and cafes 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 very 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 all is the Cours Julien and is distinguished by its elongated and narrow shape that stretches for 800 meters. It is located to the west of Marseille's old port and along the entire length is flanked by cafes, restaurants, galleries and both clothing and art stores.
There is quite a bohemian and modern atmosphere and it is a great place to enjoy street art and graffiti. In addition, there is a playground for children to enjoy while parents rest. This place, with its excellent culinary offerings, is part of some of the best gastronomic tours of Marseille, which are a good 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 characterized 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 very well-kept green space that extends over 17 hectares south of Marseille where you will find different activities. From the possibility of renting bicycles to make a small trip on an artificial lake, through the playgrounds. Not to mention taking a stroll through the different existing trails.
The name of this park is due to a magnificent castle that is located at one end of the grounds and visiting it is also a recommended idea if you are interested in learning a little about decorative art, ceramics and fashion.
You have to know that the park is part of some of the best tours of Marseille and it is a recommended family entertainment activity if you bet on saving money, as access is totally free.
Details of interest
- Hours: every day of the week from 6 am to 9 pm.
- Location: Avenue du Parc Borély, 13008 Marseille, France
6. Take a ride on Le Petit Train of Marseille
Children need to be entertained with activities that are appealing to them and a small train that runs through the most touristy areas is a good way to visit the city while the kids have fun. Le Petit Train de Marseille is a tour that goes all along the coast of the city.
It is a good opportunity to enjoy a very comfortable transportation alternative. I recommend you to book your tickets well in advance, as during the tourist season there may be several minutes of waiting time.
Anyway, you have to know that this is not the only option to involve your children in an entertaining way to tour the city. And the best bike tours in Marseille are also a good way to exercise with the kids while touring the real architectural treasures of this town.
Interesting details
- Hours of operation: vary according to the time of year, but in high season it is from 9 am to about 7 pm with a one-hour break at noon.
- Prices: rates vary between 10 and 5 € for adults and children depending on the route chosen.
7. Visit 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 northeast of the city, about 5 kilometers from the center of Marseille, and offers about eight routes that will allow you to climb among ropes. It also has a mini-park with much safer spaces adapted for children. The park as such consists of two routes for teaching the basics of climbing, while the other six will increase your adrenaline level.
The most demanding route of all has a zip line with a free fall of 170 meters. 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
- Hours: Open from Wednesday to Sunday, from 1 to 7:30 p.m.
- Location: 20 Boulevard Madeleine Rémusat, 13013 Marseille, France.
- Prices: admission for children over 13 years old is around 24 € while children between 7 and 12 years old pay about 21 €.
8. Don't miss 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 that features an adventure park that is inspired by elves.
The land occupies about 4 hectares in total and makes available to all visitors a wide variety of environmentally sustainable activities such as pedal cars, zip lines, water slides or 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 organizes special events to further complement its commitment to quality children's entertainment.
Details of interest
- Hours: During the summer, the park is usually open every day from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. The rest of the year Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 6 pm.
- Location: ZI de, 13124 Peypin, France.
- Prices: rates 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 tours
A ride on the Marseille tourist bus can also be a great way to entertain children. Especially because it is a very practical means of transportation that allows you to move through the most touristic and interesting areas of the city at an economical price and in a two-level vehicle with a fully 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. In addition, you can hop on and off as many times as you like.
Depending on the time of year, it is possible that the schedules of the best tourist buses in Marseille may change slightly. However, they are usually available for you from early morning to late afternoon.
10. Spend a day at the Prado Beaches
Just a couple of meters 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 composed of white sands stretching for about three kilometers approximately between the Roucas nautical center and the old port of Le Pointe Rouge.
It is part of the Prado Maritime Park and is an urban space that includes about 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 have to know 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.
Details of interest
- Location: 108 Allée du Prado Bleu, 13008 Marseille, France.