10 Best Family Things to Do in Marseille

Head to the Prado Beaches, 3.1 miles (5 km) south of the ferry terminal, to enjoy a grand day out in a public seaside park. Stretching from the Roucas Nautic Center to the Pointe Rouge Old Port, the Prado Seaside Park features 7 beaches and is home to a cool range of facilities.

Reclaimed from the sea and protected from the swell by breakwaters, they are bordered by beach volleyball courts, a skate park, a climbing wall, first-aid posts, toilets and a good choice of refreshment stalls and restaurants.

Located in the northeast of Marseille, 3.1 miles (5 km) of the city center, the Ecopark Adventures Marseille Saint-Jérôme features 8 treetop rope courses and a mini-park for toddlers. There are 2 courses where you can learn the basics of tree trekking and then 6 other courses, each increasing in difficulty level and excitement.

The most challenging course is named ‘Adrenalin.’ It’s true to its name due to its 525-ft-long (160 meters) zipline. All the courses are equipped with lifelines, of course. Note that gloves are mandatory, so bring your own gloves (no fingerless gloves) or you buy a pair at the entrance.

Château d'If became famous in the 19th century for being the main setting of Alexandre Dumas’s novel, The Count of Monte Cristo. This 16th-century fortress was converted into an Alcatraz-style prison in the 18th century. One of the cells was named after Edmond Dantes and another one after Abbe Faria, characters from the celebrated novel.

Today it’s a well-preserved historic castle with stunning views of Marseille. There’s a restaurant with an outdoor terrace offering local delicacies and a delightful scenery. Situated about 1 mile (1.6 km) offshore from Marseille, getting to Château d'If is a mini-adventure for the whole family.

Le Bois des Lutins (the forest of the elves) in Paypin is a charming, elf-themed adventure park with of exciting activities such as ziplines, water slides and a troll village. This eco-friendly theme park inspires children (and adults) to learn about nature and enjoy the great outdoors.

Besides thrilling activities, Le Bois des Lutins has peaceful corners where you can set up a picnic or just sit back and relax. Located 12  miles (20 km) northeast from Marseille city centre, you can reach this fun theme park in 50 minutes by car, or 2 hours by public transport.

The bohemian and colorful square of Cours Julien boasts a lovely kids’ playground, cool cafés, restaurants, galleries and boutiques. The entire square is surrounded stunning street art and graffiti, like an open-air art gallery.

Cours Julien is perfect for a long leisurely lunch on one of the restaurant terraces or a well-deserved coffee break with ice cream on a hot summer day. Or grab a take-away meal and set up a picnic while your kids enjoy the fun playground and make new friends. On Wednesdays, there’s a popular farmers market where you can find fresh local produce.

Take a seat in the Marseille Hop On Hop Off Bus and discover the most beautiful sights of the city. Departing from the Old Port, the colourful, open-top double-decker bus takes you for a trip through the lively streets of Marseille.

A multilingual audio guide gives you interesting facts about the buildings and places you see along the way. La Criée (the fish auction), the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde and the Harbour Master’s Office are just 3 out of the 14 stops you make during the ride.

The versatile Parc Borély welcomes you and your family to spend a day riding bikes, boating on the lake and enjoying carousel rides. This pristine and well-maintained park has a playground with a sandbox to build sandcastles, but it also boasts a real castle, Château Borély.

The park has been listed as one the Notable Gardens in France and offers lots to explore for budding botanists. If the weather takes a turn for the worse, why not visit the castle? It hosts a museum dedicated to decorative arts, ceramics and fashion.

A ride on the Petit Train de Marseille (the Little Train of Marseille) is a unique way to discover Marseille with your children. You can choose from 3 different itineraries, each with exciting sights and landmarks to discover. The most popular journey takes you along the coast to the iconic Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde.

Small but comfy, the little train meanders through the hilly landscape, which offers splendid views of the city. You get information about the history of Marseille along the way. It’s best to book your ticket in advance to avoid queuing.

Step back in time and journey to the American Wild West at OK Corral, an exhilarating theme park featuring 30 rides, waterslides and carousels. This versatile amusement park offers fun for the whole family, from toddlers to teenagers. The main area of the park has as a western town (with a saloon, of course) and it offers on-site accommodation in teepees and pioneer wagons.

There are daily shows featuring cowboys and sheriffs, gunfire and horse stunts. OK Corral is located in a remarkable natural setting, under the pine forests of the Sainte-Baume, 19 miles (30 km) east of Marseille. You’ll reach OK Corral in 40 minutes by car from Marseille.

The Musée d'Histoire de Marseille (Marseille History Museum) has exciting interactive and immersive displays and courses especially designed for children, which makes learning fun for the whole family. You’ll learn about the long history of the city that was founded around 600 BC.

Settled on an archeological site right next to the Old Port, this interesting museum displays over 4,000 items, including 6 Roman and Greek shipwrecks. Audio guides are available, and the displays have signs in both French and English.