10 Mistakes People Make When Visiting Marseille

The sorts of mistakes people make when visiting Marseille generally revolve around not being prepared for the city’s little quirks. You’d think there wouldn’t be that much you could get wrong when it comes to walking around and exploring, but a few miscalculations could leave you losing precious vacation days resting sore feet.

Fortunately, there are no really disastrous consequences to not properly preparing for your first visit to this fantastic ancient city on France’s Mediterranean coast. However, to save you some potential embarrassment, inconvenience, and discomfort, here are the main issues in Marseille to be aware of and how to avoid them.

10 Mistakes People Make When Visiting Marseille

1. Only exploring around the Old Port
2. Underestimating the weather
3. Forgetting to wear sturdy shoes
4. Underestimating the size of the city
5. Missing out on the local cuisine
6. Failing to observe apéro
7. Ordering pastis without mentioning the brand
8. Forgetting to check the opening times of attractions
9. Being unaware of photography fees
10. Rooting for the wrong soccer team

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1. Only exploring around the Old Port

There’s a lot more to Marseille

适合： 冒险, 家庭, 购物者

We certainly recommend spending a good amount of your time in Marseille’s Old Port (Vieux Port), just not all of it. As the city’s hub, it contains the best of the available nightlife, excellent restaurants, great boutique shopping, and many of the top attractions among its picturesque streets and squares.

However, the Old Port isn’t the only landmark in Marseille. Beyond it are many fascinating and beautiful neighborhoods, each with its own unique character. Take the opportunity to experience the bourgeois-bohemian charm of Vauban, the bar scene in Cours Julien, and even some of the attractions outside the city, such as the famous Calanques.

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2. Underestimating the weather

The mistral is more powerful than you think

适合： 情侣/夫妇, 家庭, 与众不同

While Marseille has a wonderful Mediterranean climate, certain elements can come as a shock if you’re not prepared. The most famous of these is the mistral, the fierce wind that grows out of the entire southern third of France and gets funneled into a small area of the southern coast. It reaches speeds of 40 mph (60 km/h) and can last for days. It’s most common in winter and spring.

If you’re visiting Marseille in summer, it’s the sun you have to worry about. Temperatures can hit highs of 85°F (30°C) and, when you’re spending most of your day walking around the city, it’s easy to get dehydrated or sunburned. Whatever season you choose for your Marseille trip, pack accordingly.

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3. Forgetting to wear sturdy shoes

You’ll do a lot of walking during your trip

适合： 冒险, 情侣/夫妇, 家庭

Marseille is an old city and a lot of the city center consists of narrow alleys and cobbled streets, so it’s best to explore it on foot. It’s arguably possible to drive around the Old Port area, but parking is limited and some roads are barely wider than a single car. That alone is a good reason to walk the city.

A further complication is the terrain the city is built upon. Marseille is hilly, so some of your explorations might require climbing staircases on wobbly, well-trodden paths. If you want to avoid losing entire days of your vacation to recovering from blisters and turned ankles, bring suitable shoes for exploring in.

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4. Underestimating the size of the city

Knowing when not to walk

适合： 冒险, 经济

Marseille is one of the largest cities in France, covering even more total area than Paris, so sometimes is best to rest your feet and use other means of transport. Fortunately, between a pretty good bus network, a streetcar, a bike-share scheme, rental scooters, and even taxi cabs at a push, there are plenty of ways to reach the more remote attractions without giving yourself sore feet.

In the warmer months, Marseille operates maritime shuttles linking places such as the Old Port, Pointe Rouge, L’Estaque, and sometimes Les Goudes. For a scenic way to get across the Old Port, hop on the tiny historic ferry and you’ll cross the harbor in just a few minutes.

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5. Missing out on the local cuisine

Delicious dishes are available at fair prices

适合： 经济, 餐饮, 豪华

With its fascinating history and combination of cultures, Marseille has a truly remarkable cuisine. Even in a country as famous for its food as France is, Marseille stands out as a culinary highlight, blending influences from Italy, Greece, North Africa, and beyond. Avoiding such tasty treats as madeleines, Marseille-style pizza, and the famous bouillabaisse in favor of familiar fast food is, quite simply, a wasted opportunity.

However, look out for overpriced fish stew. While bouillabaisse was once a working-class staple, its reputation as the product of this famous foodie city has led to price tags that can hit three figures. If you can’t find an “authentic” example served at a suitably authentic price, consider skipping this one.

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6. Failing to observe apéro

It’s an important part of every Marseille day

适合： 情侣/夫妇, 历史, 夜生活

Apéro is kind of like France’s own version of Spain’s siesta, a daily routine of rest that virtually everyone observes. However, rather than being a mid-afternoon snooze, this is a pre-dinner drink and light snack. It’s a bit like a more alcoholic version of England’s afternoon tea, usually involving rosé or spirits with olives and panisse (chickpea fries) instead of Earl Gray with cucumber sandwiches and scones.

The name apéro is short for ‘l’apéritif’ and you’ll find it being served at pretty much every bistro in Marseille, usually immediately after work and before sunset. It’s not essential to partake if you don’t drink or just skip the wine and try the snacks.

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7. Ordering pastis without mentioning the brand

There are dozens to choose from

适合： 情侣/夫妇, 豪华, 夜生活

One of Marseille’s famous contributions to the world of food and beverages is pastis, an anise-flavored aperitif. A bar or bistro could have at least half a dozen different brands, so just asking for a pastaga, the local slang term for pastis, would be like asking a bartender for a beer.

The most popular pastis brands are Ricard and 51, but you’ll also find Casanis and Cristal Limañana in many Marseille bars. Your beverage of choice will usually be delivered with a pitcher of cold water. Add the water to the pastis until it turns from dark golden to cloudy pale yellow, the right concentration for you to comfortably enjoy.

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8. Forgetting to check the opening times of attractions

And expecting anything to happen on schedule

适合： 冒险, 情侣/夫妇, 家庭

With the changing of the seasons and days getting shorter or longer, the opening hours for Marseille’s museums, attractions, and sightseeing spots can change accordingly. Not all sources of information will take that into account. If you’re visiting in summer, it’s probably safe to assume that places will stay open longer, but be careful when scheduling excursions in other seasons.

While we’re talking about time, it’s worth noting that “on time” in Marseille can be anything up to 20 minutes later than the scheduled time. This is particularly true of public transportation, but it can apply to virtually anything. Just relax, get a cup of coffee while you wait, and enjoy the groove of this laidback city.

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9. Being unaware of photography fees

Some attractions will charge you for your vacation snaps

适合： 情侣/夫妇, 家庭, 照片

There are some really beautiful, highly Instagrammable places around Marseille, making the city a photographer’s dream. Unfortunately, a few of the city’s museums and more iconic places forbid visitors from taking photos or videos, or may require you to pay a fee before you start clicking.

To be fair, such rules are increasingly uncommon, especially as most people now have high-quality cameras on their smartphones. However, keep an eye out for signs indicating that cameras aren’t allowed to avoid any unpleasant surprises or demands for payment.

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10. Rooting for the wrong soccer team

Soccer is like a religion in Marseille

适合： 情侣/夫妇, 家庭, 照片

L’Olympique de Marseille, the local soccer team, are loved with a devout passion by the locals. Their abbreviated name of “L’OM” is treated like the meditative chant that it sounds like, especially on match days at the 66,000-seat CEPAC Vélodrome.

If you want to make friends with the locals, you should wear the team’s color, sky blue. On the other hand, you won’t make any friends by wearing the shirt of Paris Saint-Germain, the main rivals of L’Olympique de Marseille. This is especially important if you decide to go to a match and want a warm welcome from the other attendees. For high-profile matches, buy your tickets through the club’s official website as soon as dates are confirmed.

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