10 Things to Do in Marseille with Kids

France is a country full of places of such significant beauty that they are among the best tourist destinations in Europe. At the same time, cities such as Marseille stand out among the various alternatives because they offer plenty to do for tourists traveling alone as well as those traveling with children, family, or friends.

I recommend that you continue reading this post I have prepared for you, as it is a list that includes everything there is to see and do in Marseille, with a focus on the little ones.

Don't hesitate to book tickets for the Château d'If, as it is one of the most important attractions in Marseille and a very interesting activity for children. It is located on a fortified island of the same name. To get there, you can book a boat trip around Marseille, as some of the best boat trips around Marseille include this place as one of the essential stops on the route.

This is a 16th-century fortress that became world famous during the 18th century as the main setting for Alexandre Dumas' novel, The Count of Monte Cristo. The site itself is quite beautiful, but it also stands out because it offers extremely privileged views of the city of Marseille.

Today, the island offers you the opportunity to dine in a beautiful restaurant with a terrace and enjoy the views of this perfectly preserved historic site, which forms part of the great cultural heritage of this French city.

Details of interest

• Opening hours: open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Prices: admission to the castle costs approximately €9, but is usually included in boat tours of the bay.

The Calanques National Park is one of the great natural treasures of the French Riviera. For many, it is the most faithful representation of the beauty that the Mediterranean coast has to offer, and it is a fairly wild and rugged area about 20 kilometers long and 4 kilometers wide.

If you book a hiking tour of the Calanques National Park from Marseille or a bike tour of the Calanques National Park, you will enjoy the turquoise waters throughout the tour. Kayaks and small boats are also allowed in this area. Without a doubt, it is one of the favorite destinations for Marseille families.

So going on an excursion is one of the best things to do in Marseille in summer, as the water temperatures make it an excellent way to escape the heat. You should know that getting to this place is quite easy because there are public transportation options that take you to some of the nearest coves.

Museums can be quite entertaining for children, depending on their age and interests. In Marseille, the city's history museum is a great place to learn about the extensive past of this city, which was founded around 600 BC.

This is one of the best museums in Marseille. It is located on an archaeological site very close to the old port. There are many fully interactive exhibitions designed so that children can learn about history while having fun on their visit.

The site also offers audio guides in both French and English, which are ideal for making the learning experience a little more dynamic for both adults and children. Its strategic location also allows you to combine it with other activities on the same day, such as booking a bike tour of Marseille. It is one of the city's great cultural treasures.

Details of interest

• Opening hours: open every day of the week except Mondays, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Location: 2 Rue Henri Barbusse, 13001 Marseille, France.
• Prices: general admission costs approximately €6.

Public squares lined with restaurants and cafés are another important cultural aspect of French identity. So it's no surprise that one of the best things to do with children in Marseille is to visit one of these pleasant urban spaces. In fact, you can see them all in comfort by booking a bike tour of Marseille.

One of the most appropriate and fun of all is the Cours Julien, which is distinguished by its long, narrow shape stretching 800 meters. It is located west of the old port of Marseille and is flanked by cafes, restaurants, galleries, and clothing and art shops.

It has a bohemian and modern atmosphere and is an excellent place to enjoy urban art and graffiti. There is also a playground for children to enjoy while their parents relax. This site, with its excellent culinary offerings, is part of some of the best gastronomic tours in Marseille, which are a great way to get to know the city through your palate.

Details of interest

• Location: Cours Julien, 13006 Marseille, France.

France is a country known for the quality of its public spaces, and Borely Park is, according to some experts, one of the best gardens in the whole country. It is a well-maintained green space covering around 17 hectares in the south of Marseille, where you can enjoy a range of activities. From bike rentals to a short trip on an artificial lake, not to mention the playgrounds. And don't forget to take a stroll along the various paths.

The park is named after a magnificent castle located at one end of the grounds, which is also worth visiting if you are interested in learning a little about decorative art, ceramics, and fashion.

The park is part of some of the best tours of Marseille and is a recommended family entertainment activity if you are looking to save money, as admission is completely free.

Details of interest

• Opening hours: every day of the week from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Location: Avenue du Parc Borély, 13008 Marseille, France

Children need to be entertained with activities that appeal to them, and a small train that runs through the most touristy areas is a great way to visit the city while the kids have fun. Le Petit Train de Marseille is a tour that runs along the entire coast of the city.

It's a great opportunity to enjoy a fairly comfortable alternative form of transportation. I recommend booking tickets well in advance, as there may be a wait of several minutes during the peak tourist season.

In any case, you should know that this is not the only option for entertaining your children while exploring the city. The best bike tours in Marseille are also a great way to get some exercise with your children while visiting the true architectural treasures of this city.

Details of interest

• Opening hours: these vary depending on the time of year, but in high season they are from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. approximately, with a one-hour break at midday.
• Prices: rates vary between €10 and €5 for adults and children depending on the route chosen.

Amusement parks are a great entertainment option in most cities around the world, and Marseille is no exception. If the idea of playing among the trees on suspended trails that go from branch to branch appeals to you, you have to visit Ecopark Adventures - Marseille Saint-Jérôme.

It is located northeast of the city, about 5 kilometers from the center of Marseille, and offers around eight routes that allow you to climb between ropes. It also has a mini-park with much safer spaces adapted for children. The park itself consists of two paths for teaching the basics of climbing, while the other six will get your adrenaline pumping.

The most demanding route of all has a zip line with a 170-meter free fall. If safety is a concern, you should know that all routes use safety ropes that guarantee the physical integrity of adults and children.

Useful information

• Opening hours: open Wednesday to Sunday, from 1:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Location: 20 Boulevard Madeleine Rémusat, 13013 Marseille, France.
• Prices: admission for those over 13 is around €24, while children between 7 and 12 pay around €21.

Fortunately, amusement parks abound in Marseille, and Le Bois des Lutins is one of those places you can't miss on your visit to the city if you're looking for entertainment for children. It is a picturesque natural attraction with an adventure park inspired by elves.

The grounds cover a total of 4 hectares and offer visitors a wide variety of environmentally sustainable activities, such as pedal cars, zip lines, water slides, and hanging trails. It has everything you need to enjoy an excellent day out if you are looking for activities focused on entertaining children.

This is undoubtedly one of the best activities to do in Marseille in June, simply because it is the holiday season. For this reason, the park often organizes special events to further complement its commitment to quality children's entertainment.

Details of interest

• Opening hours: during the summer, it is usually open every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The rest of the year, it is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Location: ZI de, 13124 Peypin, France.
• Prices: rates range from €9 for children under 5 to €16 for those over 5.

A ride on the Marseille tourist bus can also be a great way to entertain children. Especially since it is a very practical means of transport that allows you to move around the most touristy and interesting areas of the city at an affordable price and in a double-decker vehicle with a completely open roof. A very enjoyable experience—

It stops at the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde and the city hall located in the Old Port. You can purchase one- or two-day bus tickets. In addition, you can hop on and off as many times as you like.

Depending on the time of year, the opening hours and schedules of the best tourist buses in Marseille may change slightly. However, they are usually available from early morning until late afternoon.

A few meters from Borely Park are the Prado beaches, which are one of the things to see and do in Marseille, especially if the weather is good. This stretch of Marseille's coastline is made up of white sand that stretches for approximately three kilometers between the Roucas nautical center and the old port of Le Pointe Rouge.

This is part of Prado Maritime Park, an urban space that includes seven beaches and a wide variety of facilities for the entertainment of tourists and locals.

If you decide to visit this place during the summer, you should be aware that you will encounter large crowds. However, as during the rest of the year, it is a good place to enjoy with the family while playing on the various volleyball courts and the skating rink, enjoying the climbing wall, or eating at one of the different food stalls or restaurants in the area.

Details of interest

• Location: 108 Allée du Prado Bleu, 13008 Marseille, France.