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Notre Dame de la Garde & Old Port Shore Excursion from MarseilleThis half day Marseille shore trip is a driving tour that includes stops at top sites such as Notre Dame de la Garde, Palais Longchamps, the Old Port, and "the end of the world." This is an ideal tour for a first time visitor with limited time. After meeting your driver guide, you start the tour driving past Le Panier, the oldest district of Marseille, with its narrow winding streets. Greek sailors settled here 26 centuries ago. Soon you reach your first stop, the impressive Palais Longchamps. This grand water fountain and colonnade was built under the reign of Napoleon III and designed by one of the great architects of Marseille. Your next stop is Le Vieux Port, or the Old Port, where the sea enters the town's embrace. This is the location of the bustling outdoor fish market each morning, along with vendors selling local handicrafts or flowers, depending on the day of the week. Then you drive to one of the most impressive locations in Marseille, Notre Dame de la Garde. Built between 1853 and 1897 on the city's highest point, 531 feet (162m) above sea level, this striking basilica offers stunning views over the whole city. Locals consider it the guardian of Marseille and call it the Bonne Mere. Next you take a drive along the coastal road of Marseille named after John F. Kennedy, then stop at a typical old fishing port, Vallon des Auffes, where you can soak up the local atmosphere and see the small fishing boats in the tiny harbor. From here you drive to the farthest reaches of Marseille, Les Goudes, where white limestone cliffs plunge into the sea. Locals call it "the end of the world" for its desolate beauty, and because large buses cannot reach it, most tourists miss this beautiful stop. At the end of the tour, your driver guide brings you back to the pier or your hotel. What's IncludedIncluded- Pick up from Port or your Hotel in Marseille
- Private Vehicle with English Speaking Driver Guide
Not Included- Meals and beverages
- Gratuities (optional, at your discretion)
- Personal shopping
Tour TimingAll times are approximate and will vary based on your group's pace and interests. 1 15 Minutes Drive to Palais Longchamps 2 15 Minutes Photo Stop at Palais Longchamps 3 15 Minutes Drive to the Old Port 4 5 15 Minutes Drive to Notre Dame de la Garde 6 30 Minutes Visit Notre Dame de la Garde 7 15 Minutes Drive to Fishing Port 8 15 Minutes Photo stop at Fishing Port
ResourcesMarseille Provence Cruise Terminal. Marseille's cruise terminal Official Website Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde. The basilica and viewpoint that anchors this Marseille city tour, 531 feet above the harbor. Official Website Most Popular Tours from Marseille Tours & ExcursionsFrequently Asked QuestionsWhy must this tour start before 9:30 AM or after 1:30 PM?
This start time window is required for this specific 4 hour itinerary. When you book, let us know your ship's arrival and departure times and we will confirm a start time that fits within the window.
How old is Marseille, and why does Le Panier feel so different from the rest of the city?
Marseille is France's oldest city, founded around 600 BC by Greek sailors from Phocaea, making Le Panier's narrow lanes roughly 26 centuries old. The district's tangled, hillside street plan reflects this ancient origin, unlike the wider boulevards built in the city center centuries later.
Why is Notre Dame de la Garde called the Bonne Mere?
Notre Dame de la Garde was built between 1853 and 1897 on a limestone outcrop 531 feet (162m) above sea level, the highest point in Marseille. Locals nicknamed it la Bonne Mere, the Good Mother, and consider the gilded statue of the Virgin Mary on its bell tower the guardian watching over the city and its sailors. Where do we meet our driver or guide in Marseille? Cruise Ship: Disembark at Marseille and proceed to the terminal's main public exit. With a terminal building, walk through arrivals to the public pickup area outside -- ask cruise staff if needed. Without one, your driver is waiting on the dock. If your contact isn't immediately visible, remain near the exit and call the local dispatch number provided in your confirmation.
Hotel: Look for your driver or guide right outside the main entrance or in the lobby -- they'll be holding a sign with your group name.
Airport: Once you've collected your luggage and cleared customs, head into the arrivals hall -- your driver or guide will be there holding a sign with your group name. Are entrance fees included in Marseille tours, and are they refundable? Admission costs are covered on Marseille tours whenever the tour page says so. 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. Can we customize the itinerary on our Marseille shore excursion? Private Marseille tours are meant to bend to your priorities, not the other way around. 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: ›Highlights of Cassis - if you would like the fishing village and Calanques views of Cassis instead of city sights, this 4 hour excursion reaches the harbor and cliff viewpoints east of Marseille. ›Aix en Provence - for an inland alternative to the coastal stops on this tour, this 4 hour excursion visits the Cours Mirabeau and old town of Aix en Provence instead. ›Marseille and Cassis - if a full 8 hour day fits your port schedule better than 4 hours, this tour combines the Marseille city highlights with Cassis and the Calanques in one excursion. 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 ›
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Shore Trip Timing is approximate based on your interests & traffic
- Drive to Palais Longchamps - 15 Minutes
- Photo Stop at Palais Longchamps - 15 Minutes
- Drive to the Old Port - 15 Minutes
- Visit Old Port - 30 Minutes
- Drive to Notre Dame de la Garde - 15 Minutes
- Visit Notre Dame de la Garde - 30 Minutes
- Drive to Fishing Port - 15 Minutes
- Photo stop at Fishing Port - 15 Minutes
- Drive to "end of the world" - 15 Minutes
- Visit "end of the world" - 30 Minutes
- Return to port or hotel - 45 Minutes
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Review Location- Marseille 
