This fortification at the Vieux-Port entrance was built in the 17th century at the same time Fort Saint-Nicolas was constructed on the opposite side of the harbor. The fortress was built on the site of a 12th century command post of the Knights Hospitaller of St. John of Jerusalem. Today you can see some remaining ruins, along with a tower built in the middle of the 15th century by René I of Provence.

This Roman-Byzantine cathedral, the largest cathedral in France since the Middle Ages, was built under orders of Napoleon III in the 19th century. The impressive interior of this national monument features numerous ornate sculptures and mosaics, as well as magnificent altars from the 12th and 15th centuries.

This museum offers visitors an extensive overview of the Mediterranean civilizations of antiquity. It has a notable Egyptian department and pottery, bronzes and glass dating from Etruscan, Greek and Roman times, as well as a collection of regional archeology. Established in 1863, the museum is one of the oldest in Marseille and the second oldest in France. Today, this invaluable collection can be seen in the Vieille Charité building.

Porte d'Aix, also known as the Porte Royale, marks the entrance to the city from Aix-en-Provence and Paris. It was built in 1823 to commemorate the triumph of the revolution. You can see this historic monument in the center of Place Jules Guesde.

The garden known as Jardin des Vestiges in Marseille is loaded with history and symbolic plants. It contains Greek and Roman relics, as well as sections of Marseille's old city walls and monuments. The ruins are an historical area where many visitors are intrigued by the museum at Jardin des Vestiges, along with the port, Greek fortifications, fresh water basin, streets and cemeteries.

The picturesque Vieux-Port lies in the west of Marseille, and is now used only by fishing boats and sports craft. It has been the natural harbor of Marseille since antiquity and its history goes back as far as 600 BC with the arrival of Greek sailors. This tourist favorite has numerous cafe terraces facing the port and its surroundings.

This beautiful garden is a fashionable area in Marseille offering bars, restaurants, theaters and concert halls. Today it is one of the most beautiful and well kept public gardens in the city and the art and music capital of the region. The huge fountain in the square and the playground draws in local families as well as tourists.

The church is situated on the south side of Vieux-Port, at the highest point of Marseille. It was built in the 19th century on the site of a 13th century watchtower and was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and child with a gilded bronze statue seen all over the city. From the top of this hill you can enjoy an all-encompassing view of this marvelous city.

The Abbey of St. Victor is situated on the southern bank of the Vieux-Port. It was founded in the 5th century, and after numerous renovations the remaining church is very impressive. The abbey's crypt and catacombs, which contain a number of ancient sarcophagi, reveal the presence of a Greek quarry and is open to visitors.

One of the most impressive buildings in Marseille, Palais du Pharo was built in the 19th century as Napoleon III's waterfront residence. It stands on a hill overlooking the Château d’If and the entrance to Vieux-Port. Today this high class architecture, one of the most beautiful in Europe, serves as a conference center that receives up to 60,000 people every year.