The Best Way To Experience Marseille And Its Cruise Port

Our Ultimate Guide To Marseille Cruise Port 

Marseille is a top-rated stop for many Mediterranean cruise holidays. Located on the south coast of France, it has been a hub of immigration and trade since 600 B.C. Nowadays, it attracts visitors as the gateway to Provence, with stunning scenery, iconic attractions and plenty of activities on offer. 

Welcoming over 1.5 million cruise passengers every year, Marseille cruise port can get pretty busy, and as the largest port in France, it is worth doing your research to decide how best to navigate it.

To make things just a little easier, here’s our ultimate guide on what your options are when you get to Marseille cruise port.

What To Expect When You Arrive At Marseille Cruise Port

Most cruise ships will arrive at Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal (MPCT). Built in 2009, it is one of the world’s 20 largest cruise terminals, and France's biggest port- seeing just over 500 cruising calls in 2018.

With several terminal docking points (A-F), it is designed to cater for embarkation, disembarkation and transit passengers. This terminal offers parking, luggage drop-off points (but not left luggage storage) and lounges. You’ll also find cash machines, a café, toilets, tourist information and shore excursion pick-up and drop-off locations.

Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal (MPCT), also known as Môle Léon Gourret, is around 5-6 miles from the Old Port (Le Vieux Port), in the main centre of Marseille. Walking there is not advised due to the lack of pedestrian-friendly routes, so free shuttle buses, running approximately every 30 minutes, offer transport to Joliette Station.

From here, you can get a tram (line T2 and T3) or the metro (line 2) to the centre. Cruise ships also often provide their own shuttles, and plenty of taxis are available, costing upwards of €17. 

Joliette cruise terminal is dedicated to smaller ships and mega-yachts. Since this terminal is located near the Old Port, in the city centre, if you do happen to dock here, you will have quick access to downtown - only a few minutes walking distance.

Things To Do In Marseille

Most cruise guests opt to explore the charming Old Port (Le Vieux Port). As a vibrant harbour and meeting place for many of Marseille’s residents and visitors, it has an array of cafes and seafood restaurants, where you can sample the region’s infamous bouillabaisse. There are also boutiques and traditional fish markets selling the freshest produce.

Le Vieux Port is the hub of tourism in Marseille, and it is at this starting point that you will be able to purchase tickets for exciting excursions within the surrounding areas. An excellent activity to see the sights and culture of Marseille is to hop on the Petit train de Marseille. This land train will transport you around the city, allowing you to discover the best tourist sites that the city has to offer.

For those seeking to discover the city’s history and architecture, the Roman Catholic church, Saint-Ferréol Les Augustins, is well worth a visit. With influences dating back to the 12th century, an Italian-style bell tower and neo-baroque façade, it is a beautiful building to admire.

Phare de Sainte-Marie, or Sainte Marie lighthouse, also provides an excellent photo opportunity. It is now inactive; nonetheless, the 60-foot high, white limestone cylindrical turret looks very impressive against the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean.

Taking a 20-minute ferry ride to Château d’If is a popular choice for many visitors looking to soak up the history and culture of Marseille. This intriguing island was uninhabited until the 16th century when a fort was built under the instruction of François I. It then went on to become a prison, and holds fascinating stories of the prisoners that were held there. 

Nearby places to visit

Cruise guests looking to explore further afield often opt to visit the artistic and beautiful locations of Arles and Aix-en-Provence. Shore excursions are available and usually cover both of these locations. Or you can always opt to travel independently.

Arles is a historical city notorious for being the home of the artist Vincent Van Gogh. Here he painted his famous ‘Sunflowers’ and ‘Café Terrace at Night’ paintings.

The city is also home to various UNESCO-listed ancient monuments, such as the renowned bullring, Les Arènes and a Roman theatre, thermal baths and necropolis. Arles is around 58 miles, or an hour’s drive, from Marseille itself. Alternatively, you can also catch the train, which takes just under an hour and a half.

Aix-en-Provence is a university city and the birthplace of the post-Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne. For art enthusiasts, you can walk a trail that links together all of the sites that he frequented.

This intriguing city is also known as the ‘City of Counts’, once being the home of the Counts of Provence. For this reason, there are several impressive aristocratic palaces to explore, as well as numerous inviting fountains. Aix-en-Provence is 22 miles from Marseille, or just over a 40-minute train ride.