Marseille Cruise Ship Port Travel and Tourism in Provence

Table Of Content

• Marseille in One Day: Cruise Port Guide
• Exclusive Christmas Markets Rhine River Cruise with Transcend Cruises
• Tours Excursions Transportation:
• The port of Marseille Fos serves Corsica, Sardinia.
• thoughts on “Cruise Port of Marseille 12 Best Things To Do in Marseille, France”
• From Saint-Charles train station
• Metro

There are six cruise terminals (Terminals A, B, C, D, F, E) with modern cruise terminal buildings offering embarkation/disembarkation facilities, luggage drop-off, check-in areas, and large car parks. You will also find a cafeteria, a tourist information office point, and several ATMs. For those travellers lucky enough to arrive in town via cruise ship, even a day in Marseille from a cruise promises some wonderful memories. This guide is your henchman to the Marseille cruise port and what you need to see while in such little time in this Provencal beauty. You can get there by car, shuttle, or public transportation (bus and trains). There are two public areas of the cruise port in Marseille, or “Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal.” They are next to each other.

Marseille in One Day: Cruise Port Guide

On May 28, 2018, European Investment Bank (EIB) provided Marseille-Fos Port with EUR 50 million (USD 58,5 million) loan to support 5 port infrastructure development projects. The funding was for reorganizing the ferry terminals (serving Corsica and North Africa passenger traffic) and enlarging the Passe Nord (to allow access for larger cruise liners). Among the projects were also developments and enhancements of existing containership-handling facilities. Fos Port is at ~20 min drive distance from the Marseille-Provence airport and at ~20 min drive distance from the MP2 airport (budget flights).

Exclusive Christmas Markets Rhine River Cruise with Transcend Cruises

Today, Vieux Port houses a large Yacht Marina, local tour boats terminal and a huge fish market. Vieux Port renovation project's 2nd phase (by the year 2020) includes building nature parks around the port and has budget of EUR 64 million. Unless your ship is docking at Joliette, it's too far to go on foot from the cruise terminal to the Old Port, especially if time is limited. In addition, the route will take you along a busy road and so it's not a particularly attractive walk. If your cruise leaves from the other end of the jetty from the car-park, a shuttle bus should, in theory, be available to transport you there.

Tours Excursions Transportation:

We have found the easiest way to book train tickets in Europe is with Trainline. You can book the train from Vitrolles-Aerport Marseilles Provence train station to St-Charles on Trainline. For the train ticket from Vitrolles-Aerport Marseilles Provence train station to Marseille St-Charles train station, we booked online with Trainline. From St-Charles, you transfer to a local underground metro train or above-ground tram to reach La Joliette.

The MuCEM, Marseille's newest museum - Provence - France.fr

The MuCEM, Marseille's newest museum - Provence.

Posted: Thu, 15 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Each part of the city, from the vibrant city centre to the tranquil Mediterranean coast, tells a unique story. The beautiful façades, historical structures, and the rhythmic lifestyle of the city make it an enchanting place for every visitor. The medieval city of Avignon is located roughly 100 km/62 miles (a 1h 15-minute drive) northwest of Marseille. Set on the Rhône River, Avignon is best known for being the seat of Catholic popes from 1309 to 1377. Aix-en-Provence is a university city in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region situated 32 km/20 miles (a 40-minute drive) north of Marseille. The birthplace of Post-Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne, Aix-en-Provence has always been an inspiration for painters, writers and musicians who used to live and work in the city.

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). Total travel time is approximately an hour and 15 minutes, but don’t forget to account for time waiting for the next bus, train, or shuttle in between the various modes of transportation.

Marseille Cruise Port offers many shopping opportunities to satisfy every traveler’s retail cravings. The Old Port is a must-visit area, known for its vibrant atmosphere and numerous shops. So, embrace your inner foodie and ensure that exploring local cuisine and seeking out the best places to eat are on your agenda when visiting Marseille cruise port. La Joliette, the primary cruise terminal in Marseille, caters chiefly to small and medium-sized vessels.

From Saint-Charles train station

Marseille outlines port infrastructure & sustainability goals - Seatrade Cruise News

Marseille outlines port infrastructure & sustainability goals.

Posted: Wed, 23 Mar 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]

What you unexpectedly get as an extra enjoyment is the astounding 360 degree scene that can be seen from its terrace. When you cruise Marseille, you’ll find plenty of shopping near Vieux Port, as well as an abundance of boutiques in the city. Shop for souvenirs by the cruise terminal or at Old Harbor's Craft Market, which specializes in the kinds of elegant French presents family members back home will love. Head to rue St-Ferréol for higher-end clothing, handbags, and chic fashions. When you get off the ship, you’ll already be where all the action is. Shops, quaint cafes, glamorous restaurants, and umbrella-filled bar patios are all located nearby just waiting to be explored.

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. However, transportation options are available to help you explore the city easily. One popular shopping destination in Marseille is Les Terrasses du Port, a modern shopping mall boasting 190 boutiques. It offers options for avid shoppers looking for the latest fashion trends or simply wanting to browse through different stores.

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. In this artistic, bohemian neighborhood, you can stroll along Rue du Panier and relax at Place des Pistoles or Place de Lenche.

No less than a sanctuary for cruise lines, Marseille's cruise terminals have the capacity to serve both small cruise ships offering intimate experiences and large cruise ships with thousands of guests. Cruise lines that frequently visit the Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal include the renowned Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises, and Cunard, among others. These cruise lines offer a variety of itineraries, from brief Mediterranean voyages to extensive global circumnavigations.

This is the place to discover "La Bonne Mère", the city's emblematic figure, watches over the sailors, fishermen and all the people of Marseille. Notre Dame de la Garde offers a unique view of the Old Port, the Panier district, the Frioul islands, the north of the city, the beach areas and the hills that surround Marseille. 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. The ultimate specialties that you have to try are pastis and bouillabaisse (fish stew).

There are also boutiques and traditional fish markets selling the freshest produce. 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). Dock 10 is ranked as Mediterranean's largest - with length 465 m (1525 ft) and width 85 m (280 ft). Trains on this line are infrequent, so check your timings carefully. Click here to read about the Blue Coast Line, with a link to the current train timetable, and here for our full guide to Marseille's public transport system.