Sunday, March 31, 2024

Cruise Port of Marseille 12 Best Things To Do in Marseille, France

provence marseille france cruise port

The signature dish of Marseille is without a doubt the savory bouillabaisse. It's also home to two of the city's finest museums, the Natural Museum and the Museum of Fine Art, both of which are well worth a stop. A tour of this national monument and Roman Catholic church of France is a must-do experience. The magnificent church holds religious and historical significance, making it one of Marseille’s most recognizable sights and a symbol of the area’s earlier opulence and excess. The Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations only opened in 2013, but it quickly became a premiere cultural institution.

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It's a clear demonstration that the port not only serves as a gateway for tourists but also acts as a guardian of the region's natural heritage. Culture vultures will find a wealth of attractions in the city of Marseille. The MuCEM (Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations) is a cultural hub with a fascinating collection of exhibits depicting the region's rich history and heritage. Just a short distance away is the vibrant district of Le Panier, known for its colourful buildings, charming cobblestone streets, and artisan boutiques. Venture out of the city and into nature with a visit to the Calanques National Park. This park is famous for its rugged landscapes and azure waters and is a prime spot for hiking, kayaking, and rock climbing.

Marseille Cruise Port Guide Info

To further reduce emissions, to all ships Marseille Fos Port introduced speed restrictions of 10 knots (18,5 kph) in port approaches and 8 knots (15 kph) within the harbors. In 2016, Marseille Fos Port handled ~2,7 million passengers (overall), including 1,6 million cruise tourists. Port development works in 2017 (enlargement on the Fos Port's Passe Nord entrance) allowed visits by the world's largest passenger liners. Port's ferry shipping traffic to Corsica and North Africa increased by 2% (to ~1,1 million passengers). Port's cruising season is February through December, but most ship visits are in June-October. During high season, the city is visited by over 16,000 cruise tourists per day.

Marseille France Cruise Port Guide

And, after all that, the 35 bus stop is about 800 metres / 875 yards from the beginning of the Môle Léon Gourret, and about 2 km / 1.2 miles from the Marseille-Provence Cruise Terminal at the far end of the Môle. Please don’t forget to come back to whatsinport.com for new and updated port guides. There is no need to to take a cruise organized expensive shuttle into town.

Joliette cruise terminals

Dock 10 is ranked as Mediterranean's largest - with length 465 m (1525 ft) and width 85 m (280 ft). The breathtaking Palais Longchamp is located in the 4th arrondissement of Marseille, roughly 2 km/1.2 miles (a 30-minute walk) east of the Vieux-Port. Perhaps the only word that fully describes Cours Julien is “trendy.” The 19th century architecture and city walls are decorated in beautiful murals and works of street art commissioned by local artists. Marseille is the kind of French town that has the same amount of charm as Paris, despite being less popular among the traveling crowd. With new arts districts, rejuvenated neighborhoods, and inventive museums popping up left and right, you could say Marseille is having its very own moment.

Regarding transportation options, getting from the cruise port to these fantastic dining establishments is easy and convenient. The Marseille cruise port guide provides detailed information on navigating the city, ensuring you get all the delicious meals during your visit. Beyond the city's boundaries, the region's natural beauty beckons cruise passengers to partake in a variety of exhilarating shore excursions. Les Baux-de-Provence, a picturesque village perched atop rocky hills, is an hour's drive from the port and offers mesmerising views of olive groves and vineyards.

provence marseille france cruise port

If you have wifi, we recommend opening Google maps and typing your destination in Marseille to see what route it takes. This is because the route suggestion will vary based on the time of day and your exact destination. At Calanques National Park, you'll find rough, white limestone cliffs that rise sharply above the sea. The park stretches from Marseille to La Ciotat, where you'll encounter landscapes of lime rock and red conglomerate. The park is internationally known for its sublime landscapes, biodiversity and rich heritage. AM promises a fine dining, upscale experience like you’ve never had before.

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If you arrive on a large cruise ship, using the free shuttle that transports cruise guests to the Joliette area is a good idea. This is where you can easily access the city’s public bus stops and tram stations. Small cruise ships usually dock at J4 Terminal, however, the majority of the cruise vessels are too big to dock here, so they dock at MPCT (read more below).

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If you want to experience local cuisine and indulge in some shopping, head to La Plaine and Noailles neighborhoods for authentic flavors and unique finds. An automatic ticket dispenser is available at the bus stop at Gate 4 of the port. In the port, keep an eye out for the notice boards, they will tell you which terminal the ship you are boarding is at. If you want to avoid paying for the cruise shuttle or a taxi, there are two options. Bus no.35 leaves from in front of Gate 4, the entrance to the Môle Léon Gourret. It's very close to the city centre but has relatively limited capacity.

The season featured 13 newbuilds (2019-launched liners) and 12 maiden calls, as well as 328 roundtrips. On July 19, 2011, Marseilles Fos port authority allowed the concession use of "Drydock 10" as a ship-repairing facility for large cruise vessels, container ships and LNG tankers. The dry-dock (operated by the company Chantier Naval de Marseille) has capacity to handle marine vessels with LOA length over 250 m (820 ft).

Whether you stay local to the Vieux port in Marseille or take a day trip further into Provence, this corner of the Mediterranean deserves careful study from anyone who decides to visit on a Marseille cruise. However, it’s important to note that most cruise vessels are too big for this terminal so they will dock at MPCT Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal instead. This station is located in a privileged site next to the Vieux Port, the city centre of the Phocaean city, the Major cathedral, one of the oldest basilicas in France, and the historic "Panier" district. Trains on this line are infrequent, so check your timings carefully.

Suppose you just missed the shuttle and you don’t want to waste 30 minutes of precious time in Marseille waiting for the next one. You can take public transportation from the cruise port to the city center instead, or vice versa. Big cruise ships dock at “Gares du Môle Léon Gourret,” or the “Stations of Mole Leon Gourret.” Most major cruise lines arrive at Gate 4, or Port 4. There are two public areas of the cruise port in Marseille, or “Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal.” They are next to each other. One area is where the large ships dock, and the other is where small cruise ships dock.

While its colored walls, narrow streets and sunny squares once made up one of the poorest districts of the city, today it's filled with trendy independent boutiques, craft shops and galleries. Cruise to Provence and look for handmade savon de Marseille, the traditional green or white soap made with olive oil that has been exported from Marseille for centuries. At the end of this lovely and quite active tour, you get to enjoy the French most important occupation – wining and dining. Even better, the Provence area is well known for its extraordinary and unique tastes.

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 a good photo opportunity. It is now inactive; nonetheless, the 60-foot high, white limestone cylindrical turret looks impressive against the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean.

Marseille Cruise Ship Port Travel and Tourism in Provence

provence marseille france cruise port

With several terminal docking points (A-F), it is designed to cater for embarkation, disembarkation and transit passengers and offers parking, luggage drop-off points (but not left luggage storage) and lounges. You’ll also find ATMs, a café, toilets, tourist information and shore excursion pick-up and drop-off locations. The port of Marseille has modern cruise terminals located near the city, including the Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal (MPCT).

How to Get from the Marseille Airport to the City Center on Public Transportation

We’re happy to answer the most common questions we have seen about Marseille cruise port. If you have questions that are not answered here, please add a comment at the end of the post to ask! When you see French road signs that say “Quai du Port,” you will know you’re close to one of the largest ports in France. If you don’t want to deal with figuring out how to get around Marseille, but you still want to see the sights in town, you have great tour options you can book on your own. They will save you a ton of time and energy figuring things out on your own. If the shuttle’s end point by La Joliette isn’t where you want to go, you can walk or take trains, trams, or buses from there to get to your destination.

Access for boarding

Port Marseille cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Marseille, France Riviera. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Best Time to Visit

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You’ve ventured through bustling markets, explored historical landmarks, savoured culinary delights, and admired the azure expanse of the Mediterranean sea. This cruise port is located near Place de la Joliette and within walking distance of the Vieux-Port de Marseille (Old Port), the main tourist district where the city’s main landmarks and attractions are located. La Joliette cruise terminal has several berths and is dedicated to small and medium-sized vessels including cruise ships, tender boats, cargo ships, mega yachts and ferries with lengths less than 200 m/565 ft.

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Several cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Aida, and Oceania Cruises, choose to dock their ships at the Marseille cruise terminal (External link) . Additionally, Ponant, a French company, offers an alternative to the larger cruise ships with its maxi yachts. The numerous cruise lines based in Marseille, whether as the head of a line or as a stopover, offer a wide range of options to choose from. You can select the cruise that suits your preferences, whether you prefer a lively or tranquil atmosphere, a large liner or a smaller ship, or a sober or opulent setting. Most cruise ships will arrive at Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal (MPCT). Built in 2009, it is one of the world’s 15 largest cruise terminals, seeing 500 cruising calls in 2018.

provence marseille france cruise port

Find Cruises to France's Provence (Marseille) Port

Occasionally, the port also provides a free shuttle bus line to the city. Marseille Provence Cruise Center (Mole Leon Gourret piers) serve the majority of cruise ships docking in Marseille. This terminal has a large-capacity building and is the embarkation point for all round-trip ship departures. To Porte 4 drive on Motorway A55, then take Exit 5 (“Les Ports”) and just follow the traffic signs "Gares Maritimes" and "Croisière". Marseille, the largest city in southern France, nestles majestically along the Mediterranean coast.

Main navigation

Marseille cruise port is part of Marseille Fos Port - France's largest port. Along with its cruise terminals, the port also has ferry terminals that serve the Ro-Ro shipping traffic (cars and passengers) to and from Algeria, Corsica, Sardinia, also Tunisia. Among the port's facilities are also dry docks and shipbuilding yards. Things to do in Marseille abound, and you don’t have to travel far from where cruise ships dock or where you reach the city center to see them. Though Marseille is the largest city in southern France, the main attractions are in a fairly compact and centrally located area.

Park National des Calanques

Joliette cruise port also serves ferries to Corsica, Sardinia and North Africa (Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco). Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal (MPCT), also known as Môle Léon Gourret, is around 5-6 miles from the Old Port (Le Vieux Port), the main centre of Marseille. Walking there is not advised, 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. Several cruise shuttle options are available to get to the terminal in Marseille.

Le Panier sits on a hillock in the centre of Marseille and takes on the feel of an authentic, lively Provencal village. The facades are colourful, the alleyways full of flowers and the walls popular with street artists. Taking a 20-minute ferry ride to Château d’If is a popular choice for many visitors. 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 held there. Additionally, various tours and tickets allow you to fully experience all that Marseille Cruise Port offers.

Marseille cruise port has terminals located at two different areas of the harbor. The small and middle size ships use the Joliette (J4) Terminal berths. The network will be expanded in 2 phases to cover the ferry docks for North Africa and the ship repair hub (by 2022) and the cruise terminal (by 2025).

The islands are home to endemic flora and fauna and boast a rich historic heritage with fortresses, ramparts, beautiful beaches, hidden coves, and a variety of restaurants and shops for tourists. L’île de Pomègues is connected to l’île de Ratonneau via a causeway and both islands can be visited on foot within a couple of hours. The château was built in the 16th century for military and defensive purposes, however, it was mainly used as a dumping ground for political and religious detainees throughout the centuries. Today, Château d’If is a historic monument and a tourist attraction that can be visited by ferry from the Vieux-Port. Vieux Port is one of the clear highlights of Marseille and the entire region of Provence itself.

If you need to deposit your baggage before or after your trip, do so at Marseille Saint Charles station or Marseille-Provence airport. Cruise passengers disembarking at the Joliette (J4) Terminal are in luck as they will be close to several bus routes and a short walk from the Joliette metro and tram stops. This station is on the Blue Coast Line, pictured, between Marseille and Miramas and you will need to change trains at Saint Charles if you want to travel on to Aix, Arles or Avignon.

This cruise ship terminal is also known as MPCC (Marseille Provence Cruise Center) or Môle Léon Gourret piers. MPCT is located in the industrial zone northwest of the Vieux-Port de Marseille, approximately 8 km/5 miles (a 20-minute drive) from the city center. From the port of Marseille, it takes passengers just an hour to reach the city of Arles, so why deprive yourself if you've got a bit of time on your hands? He moved here in 1888, and it was here that he found the inspiration for his most famous paintings.

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