Marseille & Aix-en-Provence Shore Excursion This full day Marseille shore trip visits the top sites in Marseille, including the Old Port and Notre Dame de la Garde, then travels inland to the popular town of Aix en Provence, where you have time to enjoy the old town.
After meeting your driver guide, you start the tour driving past Le Panier, the oldest district of Marseille, with its narrow winding streets settled by Greek sailors 26 centuries ago. Soon you reach your first stop, the impressive Palais Longchamps, a grand water fountain and colonnade built under Napoleon III. Your next stop is Le Vieux Port, or the Old Port, where the sea enters the town's embrace and the outdoor fish market runs each morning. Then you drive to Notre Dame de la Garde, the basilica built between 1853 and 1897 on the highest point in Marseille, 531 feet (162m) above sea level, with stunning views over the whole city. Next you take a drive along the coastal road named after John F. Kennedy and stop at the old fishing port of Vallon des Auffes.
Free time is provided for a typical Marseille lunch (meal not included). We recommend Bouillabaisse, Marseille's most famous dish, a two course meal of fish soup followed by the fish used to make it. Advance reservations are required for this local specialty, so please inquire with us at the time of booking.
After lunch you continue into Provence until you reach Aix en Provence. Upon arrival you visit the Cours Mirabeau, a tree lined boulevard laid out in 1650 and known for its monumental fountains and popular cafes. Next you have free time in the Old Town of Aix en Provence, mostly pedestrian streets lined with stone buildings, churches, museums, shops, and boutiques. You will also notice bell towers made of wrought iron rather than stone, built to withstand the strong Provencal mistral wind. If you are visiting on a Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday, the open air street market sells cheese, olives, produce, and flowers. Most shops in France are closed on Sundays. Aix is also well known as the home of impressionist painter Paul Cezanne, and you will see images of his paintings in shops throughout the old town. When your visit to Aix en Provence is finished, your driver guide brings you back to the Marseille port or your hotel.
Please note
What's Included Included Pick up from Port or your Hotel in Marseille Private Vehicle English Speaking Driver Guide Not Included Meals and beverages Gratuities (optional, at your discretion) Personal shopping Tour Timing All times are approximate and will vary based on your group's pace and interests.
1
3.5 hours
Marseille City Tour
2
Free time for Lunch- 1 hour
3
Drive to Aix en Provence- 45 minutes
4
Explore Aix en Provence- 2 hours
5
Return to pier in Marseille- 45 minutes
Resources
Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal. Marseille's cruise terminal Official Website
Good to Know Mobility
Folding wheelchairs are welcome, though some sites may not be fully accessible. Please let us know in advance so we can plan around any mobility needs.
Dress Code
Some sites on this tour require that shoulders and knees be covered. We recommend wearing or bringing a light layer to avoid being turned away at the entrance.
Customizable
This tour can be adjusted to fit your group’s pace and interests. If you’d like to spend more time at a particular site or add a stop,
contact us when you inquire.
Larger Groups
For groups that need a minibus or full coach,
contact us for a custom quote. We accommodate groups of any size.
Most Popular Tours from Marseille Tours & Excursions Frequently Asked Questions Is lunch included on this tour?
Lunch is not included, but free time is built into the schedule in both Marseille and Aix en Provence. If you want to try Bouillabaisse, Marseille's signature fish stew, let us know when booking since advance reservations are required.
Is this tour wheelchair accessible?
Folding wheelchairs are welcome, though some areas on this tour may not be fully accessible. Please let us know in advance so we can plan accordingly.
How old is Le Panier, Marseille's oldest neighborhood?
Marseille was founded around 600 BC by Greek sailors from Phocaea, making Le Panier, the city's original hillside district, roughly 26 centuries old.
What is the Cours Mirabeau in Aix en Provence?
The Cours Mirabeau is a tree lined boulevard laid out in 1650 on the site of a former rampart. Its fountains were added over the following decades and it remains Aix en Provence's main promenade today.
Are museum and site tickets included in the Marseille tour price?
For Marseille tours, entrance fees are included exactly where the tour page lists them. Keep in mind some venues require timed, skip-the-line tickets that become non-refundable the moment they're purchased. We'll flag any non-refundable entrance fees for you at booking.
How flexible is a private Marseille tour?
Private touring in Marseille comes with real room to adjust the plan. Mention any must-see sight to your driver or guide at pickup, and they'll do their best to work it in. Traffic and time constraints can occasionally limit how much we can change, but your guide will always try to keep things personal.
Also Available:
› Avignon and Pont du Gard - for Roman and papal history instead of Aix en Provence, this 8 hour tour reaches the Pont du Gard aqueduct and Avignon's Papal Palace.
› Aix and Les Baux de Provence - to trade the Marseille city stops for the medieval hilltop village of Les Baux de Provence alongside Aix, this 8 hour tour pairs the two.
› Highlights of Marseille - for guests with only a half day in port, this 4 hour tour covers the Marseille city highlights on their own.
Our Back-to-Ship Guarantee
Every excursion returning 1.5 hours before departure is covered. If we are late, we cover your costs to reach the next port. More info ›
Travel Tips for our Clients Top Sights in Aix en Provence Cours Mirabeau - This wide street is lined with 150 year old Plane Trees and is considered to be the most beautiful street in France. One side of the street is lined with 18th century mansions and the other side of the street is lined with cafes, shops and hotels. The street is lined with several famous fountains including the Fontaine de la Rotonde which dates to 1860 and features three statues representing Justice, Agriculture and the Fine Arts. Also noteworthy is Fontaine du Roi Rene crowned by a statute of the medieval king who first brought Muscat grapes to Provence.
Vieil Aix , or the old town is located on one side of the Cours Mirabeau. Small medieval streets meander until they suddenly open onto large open squares. Some of the squares feature the best outdoor markets in Provence.
Musée du Vieil Aix - This museum recounts the history of this beautiful city. Included is a display of Santons, small Provencal dolls dating to the 19th century.
Musee des Tapisseries - Located in the Archbishop's Palace this museum boasts a fine collection of 17th-18th century tapestries. There are often displays of modern tapestries as well.Cathedrale St-Sauveur is a church that features architecture from the 5th to 17th Century. Worth at least a peak!
Atelier de Cezanne - Located about a mile north of the Cours Mirabeau is the 1901 studio of painter Paul Cezanne. It was from here that he painted many of his famous works, including those featuring nearby Mont St-Victoire. The artist died in 1906, but his studio is set up as if he just stepped away for a few minutes. A nice peak into the life and work's of one of Provence's most famous artists.
Review Location- Marseille 
