Make a holiday rental apartment or self catering villa in Marseille, France your home away from home

The Marseille region of Provence is a wonderfully unique area, whose origins lie with the Greeks. Marseille is actually the oldest city in France, with many eras wrapped up in the streets, alleys and squares that make up this astonishing destination. Those who take self catering accommodation in Marseille, France always return, whether for the truly remarkable history, unique folklore and culture or the glorious coastline.

Things to do in Marseille, France

Of all the things to do in Marseille, it is the Marseille beaches that usually get mentioned first. There are more than 20 excellent sandy beaches to choose from when staying in a self catering Marseille apartment or villa. Water sports thrive in the area, with the shingle beaches of Escale Borely and Playa des Planchistes reserved as windsurfing hotspots. There are many excellent Marseille beaches to choose from, especially along the rocky calanques region, which is the Spanish equivalent of the Norwegian Fjords.

Marseille, which is a huge cultural centre, is awash with festivals and events throughout the year, but especially during the summer months. Taking self catering Marseilles accommodation in the summer means that you will never be lost for entertainment if the cafes and nightclubs of Marseilles cannot hold your attention. La Fiesta des Suds is a magnificent celebration of the cities multicultural music and art, whilst the more famous Festival de Marseille in July is an international festival of music, theatre and dance. Information on Marseilles festivals and events are readily available from the Marseille tourist information offices.

Surrounding the town is some of the finest walking, hiking and mountain biking country in the Bouches-du-Rhone. The coastal paths are renowned for their beauty, whilst the Massif des Calanques are known to have some of the most inspiring routes you can find to walk. Cycle races are often fought out in the roads and lanes around Marseille, but if you would like to tour the area slowly, taking a bicycle from a Marseille villa is an excellent choice.

Places to stay on holiday in Marseille, France

Marseille itself must be visited from any of the self catering villas in Marseille’s surrounding area. There are so many things to do in Marseille throughout the year that you cannot miss out. The Cathedral of the Major, Notre Damn de la Garde, Jardin des Vestiges and many palaces make for essential viewing, and the nightlife is fantastic for those who want to stay in the city at night. There are more tourist attractions in Marseille than you could possibly explore in a single holiday from a Marseille apartment, but if you visit the city once, you shall almost undoubtedly be back!

Cassis is a beautiful fishing port on the Cote d’Azur. The port is a sensational place to simply sit in a café and watch the world go by. The village attracts many artists who try to capture the beauty of Cassis on canvas, and those wishing to relax on a quiet beach are right at home. Marseille accommodation in Cassis is also vastly popular with rock climbers looking to conquer the climbing routes up the surrounding cliffs.

The village of La Ciotat is one of the oldest villages in the region, steeped in history yet perfectly modern and comfortable. All water sports can be enjoyed to the highest level from La Ciotat, especially scuba diving, and the rock climbing opportunities are quite phenomenal.

The seaside resort of Carry-le-Rouet is absolutely charming, nestled at the foot of Marseille’s pine covered hills. The village is wonderfully picturesque, set on a beautiful string of little beaches where the waters of the Mediterranean seem clearer than on any other spot along the coast.

Flights to Marseille, France

There are many regular flights to Marseille from UK. Ryanair, BMIbaby, easyJet, Aer Lingus and British Airways all offer flights to Marseille Airport (MRS), with departure points including Dublin (DUB), Birmingham (BHX), Edinburgh (EDI), Bournemouth (BOH), Manchester (MAN) and London. Flights to Marseille Airport from the UK take around 3 hours.