10 Things to do in Marseille at Christmas

Marseille is a port city of great natural and architectural beauty. Whether you want to explore the city's cultural and religious traditions, or enjoy the characteristic atmosphere of celebration, there is plenty to see and do during the Christmas season.

During the Christmas season in Marseille you can skate on the ice rink, prepare and taste the main dishes of the season and also experience the New Year's Eve celebrations. If you have time in your itinerary, you can also take a trip to the nearby towns of Avignon, Cassis and Provence to discover their traditions.

Seeing the light bulbs and the rest of the Christmas decorations at the festival of lights is another must-see event during the season. This is an activity that starts at the end of November and lasts until the first week of January approximately.

To give you an idea of the majesty of the decoration, you should know that there are more than 100 Christmas trees arranged throughout the city. There are 175 bouquets of lights and 95 decorative centres. All in all, there are some 13,000 metres of cable and just over 26,000 light bulbs, so there will be plenty of light. Undoubtedly, an activity that is part of the best tours of Marseille.

If you are in Marseille on 17 December, you can take part in the traditional organised walk, which includes a tour of the most representative places in the city: the streets of the Le Panier district, the oldest in Marseille, as well as the Place des Moulins and the Place de la Lenche.

Following the tour, which will last approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, you will pass by the Cathedral of Saint Mary Major and the Old Port. At this point, you will be in the heart of Marseille. Finally, you will head to the Mucem, which offers attractive architecture, exhibitions and events.

One of the must-do activities when visiting Marseille in 1 day or more is to go to the Christmas market, which takes place annually in the Vieux-Port or Old Port. There, you will find groups of small local vendors, shops, among other options.

When you arrive at the market, you will see dozens of artisans selling various items for Christmas gifts. You can choose from jewellery, ceramic and glass products, candles, toys and, of course, the famous Marseille soap. You won't be at a loss for what to give yourself or your loved ones.

While you are shopping, you can stop for a hot chocolate or mulled wine, which will help you to keep your body temperature at a pleasant level. You can also have a snack or a local dessert, such as turrones (nougat). The best thing is that the Old Port is in the centre of the city, so it is easily accessible.

Useful information

• Opening hours: 10:00 to 19:00 from Sunday to Thursday and from 10:00 to 20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
• Location: Quai de Rive Neuve, 13001 Marseille.

Make the most of your stay of at least 2 days in Marseille at Christmas to visit some nearby towns such as Avignon, Cassis and Provence. Take a day trip and discover their religious traditions and various Christmas activities.

Option 1: Avignon

Getting to Avignon from Marseille is a popular route at Christmas time, with a journey time of approximately 1 hour and 19 minutes. In this beautiful region, known as the city of the Popes, you will find many seasonal activities.

For example:

• Some street shows, with Christmas parades and concerts.
• A visit to the Church of Célestins and its beautiful crib.
• The Avignon skating rink.
• The Place de l'Horloge with Father Christmas' Chalet, ideal if you are with children.
• The Avignon Market, with its celebratory atmosphere, decorations, lights, Christmas food and other seasonal products.

Option 2: Cassis

Another town near Marseille that you should visit is Cassis. This town is about 45 minutes away by car. There, you will find a colourful market in its Provençal port. You can buy handicrafts, ornaments, fashion, traditional food and souvenirs galore.

Also, as you stroll through the small streets of Cassis, you will be enveloped in Christmas magic, thanks to the organ grinders (street musicians), storytellers, Santas, nativity scenes, among others. And, if you are in town at sunset, you will discover another perspective of the place thanks to the Christmas illumination.

Option 3: Provence

A trip to Provence from Marseille at Christmas is another must-do during your trip. Here you will find some great Christmas traditions.

• Santon Fair: this is an important tradition dating back to 1803, where you can get to know the santons (handmade figures used to bring the nativity scene to life, made of clay).
• Miniature nativity scene: an impressive nativity scene that brings together the characters of the town in the form of santons. You will see the mayor, the priest and even the man who sells vegetables at the market. Each of them represented in the nativity scene.
• Christmas theatre: with theatrical shows that tell the history of the village.

If you are a foodie or just want to experience something different, then you can venture out and prepare some of the typical Christmas dishes in a local's kitchen. Taking part in some of Marseille's best gastronomic tours is a good option.

It's a fun experience where you and a local culinary expert will buy fresh ingredients from a nearby market. You will then go to the person's home to prepare the recipes and learn the history of each one.

During the activity you will prepare desserts such as Galette des Rois and Bûche de Noël. You can also choose to make some savoury recipes such as canapés, lamb and bouillabaisse, a fish-based soup. All of these dishes are very characteristic of the region.

Once the desserts and other dishes are ready, you can enjoy them at your leisure for a true culinary experience during your stay of 3 days or more in Marseille.

Useful information

• Price: if you connect with a tour, the cost could start from 85€ per person.
• Duration: The average time taken for this activity is approximately 4 hours.

In case you are staying in the city during the Christmas and New Year's Eve season, don't hesitate to experience the atmosphere of celebration that Marseille usually offers during these days of the year.

You can start by going to the Old Port. As you walk around, you'll be amazed by the seasonal lights and decorations. You will also find a number of restaurants and bars, where you will have the opportunity to enjoy an aperitif or a delicious dinner.

As the night progresses and you get closer to New Year's Eve, you can enjoy the fireworks display in all its splendour. This way, you can welcome in the new year.

Other good options for celebrating in the city include the following:

• Attend the concert performed by the Marseille Philharmonic.
• Themed parties until dawn in local nightclubs such as Danceteria in the historic centre.

The basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde is a must-see destination at Christmas, not only for its architecture and design, which combines various Gothic and romantic elements. You'll also have the opportunity to enjoy the seasonal lights and decorations that embellish this historic monument.

When you arrive, the first thing you'll see outside the cathedral is an imposing Christmas tree. And because the cathedral is 149 metres above sea level, you'll get a panoramic view of the city, completely covered in lights. There, you will be able to take beautiful pictures.

You can also enter the interior of the sanctuary free of charge and contemplate the chapels, the main altar and the sacred art it houses. There are also several places of interest around the basilica, such as the Botanical Garden, the children's playground and the Basilica Museum.

During your stay in Marseille during the Christmas season, you can venture out on a boat trip around Marseille. You will be able to enjoy the beautiful sunset that characterises this winter season. You will also get a privileged view of the city.

This is one of the boat tours of Marseille that you can do if you want to sail on the Mediterranean. All you have to do is go to the Old Port of the city and then get on a boat to start this trip on the calm waters of the Mediterranean.

You will have the opportunity to see a unique sunset, as during the winter period, which coincides with Christmas, the air is cleaner and, consequently, the humidity levels are lower. Therefore, the colours of the light at sunset are more vivid than when visiting Marseille in summer or at any other time of the year.

In addition, throughout this approximately 45-minute ride, you will be amazed by the panoramic view of the city, which is enhanced by the hundreds of Christmas lights that cover the streets and buildings.

Another option to see the city from a privileged perspective at Christmas is to take a hop-on hop-off bus. This way, you can appreciate the decorations and take part in the Christmas activities at the various tourist sites in Marseille.

The hop-on hop-off bus tour of Marseille will allow you to take a panoramic route around the city's main tourist destinations. Such is the case of the cathedral of La Major, the basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde, the Old Port, the Mucem, among other places.

This is a tour that will allow you to explore the city without fear of unexpected rain or snow, characteristic of this season. In addition, you will learn the history of each monument as you go, thanks to the audio guide.

You will be able to get on and off the bus whenever you want at the different stops assigned. You will have the opportunity to visit some of the monuments, take photos or go to a Christmas market to buy souvenirs or try some of the traditional cuisine.

If you are looking for some things to do in Marseille with children when visiting the city at Christmas, then opting to go to the city's ice rink is a good option. You'll enjoy it as a family and be enveloped in a celebratory atmosphere with seasonal music, lights and decorations.

Option 1: Eco-responsible Ice Rink

This rink is located in the city centre. Both you and the little ones will be able to glide over a huge surface of approximately 300 square metres. All this, while they contemplate the Christmas setting made up of lights and beautiful decorations.

You will also have the opportunity to pay respect to the environment. The rink is made of recycled glass and certified wood.

Option 2: Patinoire Palais Omnisports

Another alternative for ice skating in Marseille during the Christmas season is the Patinoire Palais Omnisports. This 1,250 square metre rink is just a 12-minute drive from the city centre.

There you will find a lively Christmas atmosphere, a gigantic tree and, on Christmas Eve, children can have their photo taken with Santa. In addition, the site is divided into several areas (Glisse en famille, the ice school for 7 to 13 year olds and Jardin des Oursons for 4 to 6 year olds) for maximum enjoyment and safety.

You may think that being in Marseille for more than 4 days during the Christmas season, the tourist destinations to visit are a bit limited. However, this is not the case. You can travel to the fishing port of Le Barcarès and visit the Village de Noël.

It will take you less than 3 hours by car to reach the village of Le Barcarès. There, from the very first moment you will experience the magic of Christmas: lights all over the streets, giant Santa Claus figures, polar bears, among other images representative of the season.

In the Village de Noël you will find many activities to have fun with your friends or family. For example:

• Walk through the streets to admire the decorations and take beautiful photographs.
• Skating on the ice rink, with some animated characters (penguins, bears, reindeer).
• Climb the big Ferris wheel for a bird's eye view of the town.
• Enjoy the Christmas parade, with Father Christmas' sleigh, nutcracker soldiers, jugglers, among others.

You will also have the opportunity to take a panoramic tour of the entire village aboard a small train and, if you wish, take a walk through the fir forest in the Labyrinth area.