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Marseille: when your ship stops here

The basilica on the hill, the Old Port and its museum, the prison island of Monte Cristo by boat; the Calanques are for a long day.

Facts checked Nov 3, 2026, each with its source. No prices on this page.

Marseille is the port city of Provence, on the Mediterranean coast of France. Most cruise ships tie up at the MĂ´le LĂŠon Gourret terminal in the north of the port, from where the city tourist office says to take public transport or a taxi into the centre; free shuttles for cruise guests run every port day between the terminal and the Terrasses du Port shopping centre. A few ships use the small J4 terminal beside the cathedral, and from there the Old Port (Vieux-Port) is a walk.

Source: Marseille Tourist Office: cruises in Marseille (in French)

Top 3 things to do

  1. 1. Notre-Dame de la Garde

    The basilica with the golden Virgin on top stands on a hill 154 m (505 feet) above the city and is Marseille's best known sight. The statue of the Virgin and Child is 11.2 m (37 feet) tall. It is open every day from 7 in the morning to 6 in the evening; the basilica and the crypt cannot be visited during Mass.

    Tip: From the Old Port it is a 45 minute walk, with a climb at the end. Bus 60 from the Quai du Port, the Quai des Belges or the Mucem goes to the foot of the basilica steps.

    Sources: Marseille Tourist Office: Notre-Dame de la Garde; Wikipedia: Notre-Dame de la Garde

  2. 2. The Old Port and the Mucem

    The Vieux-Port is the old harbour in the heart of the city, with a fish market on the Quai des Belges every day and a fort on each side of its mouth. The Mucem, the museum of the civilisations of Europe and the Mediterranean, opened in 2013 beside Fort Saint-Jean at the harbour entrance, and a footbridge of about 130 m joins the two.

    Tip: The Mucem is closed on Tuesdays (open on Tuesdays in August only) and on 1 May and 25 December; it opens at 11, or 10 in July and August.

    Sources: Wikipedia: Marseille; Wikipedia: MuCEM; Provence-Alpes-CĂ´te d'Azur Tourism: Mucem

  3. 3. Château d'If, the island of Monte Cristo

    The island fortress off the harbour was built from 1524 to 1531 for King Francis I and then held prisoners into the late 1800s, among them more than 3,500 Huguenots. Alexandre Dumas locked Edmond Dantès up here in The Count of Monte Cristo, and a cell carries his name. It has been open to visitors since 23 September 1890.

    Tip: Boats leave from the Old Port. Check the crossing times both ways against your all aboard before you buy.

    Source: Wikipedia: Château d'If

What to skip

Before you go ashore

You do not have to book a tour: you are free to go ashore on your own. Royal Caribbean sets the all aboard time about 30 minutes before the ship sails, posts it near the gangway, and says the ship does not wait for guests touring on their own.

Source: Royal Caribbean FAQ: Do I need to book a shore excursion?

Back-to-backs that stop in Marseille

Back-to-back cruises from these home ports have a stop in Marseille, from the Royal Caribbean sailings we track:

Sources

Read on Nov 3, 2026. Opening days, hours and rules change: check with the place itself before you go. legtolegcruises.com is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Royal Caribbean International or any place named here.

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