10 Things to do in Marseille with Kids

France is a country that is full of places of such significant beauty that they are some of the best tourist destinations in Europe. At the same time, cities like Marseille stand out among the various alternatives for having enough plans for both single tourists and those travelling with children and family.

I advise you to continue reading this publication that I have prepared for you, as I have grouped a good part of what to see and do in Marseille, putting the focus on what children can enjoy the most.

France is a country characterised by the quality of its public spaces and Borely Park is, according to some experts, one of the best gardens in the country. It is a meticulously tended green space stretching over 17 hectares in the south of Marseille where you will find a variety of activities.

These range from the possibility of renting bicycles to having a little trip on an artificial lake or for the children to play in a children's playground. You could also simply take a stroll along the various trails.

This park is named after a magnificent castle at one end of the site and a visit is also a good idea if you are interested in learning a little about decorative art, ceramics and fashion. Along this site you will also come across some cafes and even a lakeside restaurant.

You should know that the park is part of some of the best tours of Marseille and it is definitely a recommended activity for family entertainment where you are betting on saving money, as access is totally free.

Details of interest:

• Hours: every day of the week from 06:00 to 21:00.
• Location: Avenue du Parc Borély, 13008 Marseille, France

Amusement parks are a good entertainment alternative in most cities around the world and Marseille is no exception. If the idea of playing in the trees along hanging trails that go from branch to branch sounds interesting to you, then you must visit the Ecopark Adventures - Marseille Saint-Jérôme.

This site is located in the north-east of the city , about 5 km from the centre of Marseille. It offers a total of eight routes that allow you to climb between ropes. In addition, there is a mini-park with much safer spaces adapted for children. The park as such consists of two routes for teaching the basics of climbing, while the other six will get your adrenaline pumping.

The most demanding route of all features a zip line with a free fall of 170m. If safety is something that worries you, you should know that all the routes use lifelines that guarantee the physical integrity of adults and children.

Details of interest:

• Opening hours: open Wednesday to Sunday from 13:00 to 19:30.
• Location: 20 Boulevard Madeleine Rémusat, 13013 Marseille, France.
• Prices: Admission for over 13 years old is about 22 euros while children between 7 and 12 years old pay about 19 euros.

The Parc National Des Calanques is one of the great natural treasures of the French Côte d'Azur. For many it is the most faithful representation of the beauty that the Mediterranean coast has to offer and is a rather wild and rugged terrain about 20 km long and about 4 km wide.

The turquoise waters along its length allow for kayaks and small boats and it is undoubtedly one of the favourite destinations for Marseille families.

So a trip to the national park, which is located just a few kilometres from the centre of Marseille, is an excellent choice. In fact, it is one of the best things to do in Marseille in summer, as the water temperatures make it a great way to escape the heat that prevails in Europe during this time of the year.

Getting here is quite easy because there are public transport alternatives that take you to some of the nearest coves or even a private taxi ride is a favourable and economical alternative.

Fortunately, amusement parks abound in Marseille and Le Bois des Lutins is one such place you can't miss on your visit to the city if you're looking for children's entertainment plans. It is a picturesque natural attraction that today features an adventure park that is inspired by elves.

The site covers some 4 hectares in total and offers all visitors a wide variety of environmentally friendly activities such as pedal cars, zip wires, water slides and hanging trails.

The site also has a number of other practical facilities such as a restaurant, toilet facilities, a first aid centre and some cafes. So you have everything you need to enjoy an excellent plan if you are looking for activities that are mainly focused on children's entertainment.

This is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Marseille in June for the simple fact that it is the holiday season. As such, the park often organises special events to further complement its commitment to quality children's entertainment.

Details of interest:

• Opening hours: during the summer they are usually open every day from 10:00 to 19:00. The rest of the year Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 18:00.
• Location: ZI de, 13124 Peypin, France.
• Prices: rates range from 8 euros for children under 5 years old to 15 euros for those over 5 years old.

Children need to be entertained with activities that are appealing to them. In this context, a small train that runs through the most touristic areas of the city is a good way to visit the city while the children have fun.

This is known as the Petit Train de Marseille and is basically a train that runs through the streets like a bus along a route that goes all along the city's coastline to the iconic Basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde.

It's a good opportunity to enjoy privileged views of the centre of Marseille and a fairly comfortable transport alternative. I recommend you book your tickets well in advance, as during the tourist season there may be a few minutes wait.

However, you should know that this is not the only option to involve your children in a fun way to get around the city. The best bike tours in Marseille are also a great way to get some exercise with the kids while you tour the real architectural treasures of Marseille.

Details of interest:

• Hours of operation: vary depending on the time of year, but in high season it's from 9am to about 7pm with a one-hour break at midday.
• Prices: Prices vary between 10 and 5 euros for adults and children depending on the route chosen.

Museums can be a very entertaining activity for children depending on their age and interests. In the case of Marseille, you should know that the city's history museum is a very appropriate place to learn about the extensive past of this city, which was founded approximately 600 years BC. C.

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

On site you will also find audio guides available that are in both French and English and are quite appropriate to make learning a little more dynamic for both adults and children.

Its strategic location also allows it to be an activity that you can complement with other plans in the same day and it really is one of the great cultural treasures of the city.

Details of interest:

• Opening hours: open every day of the week except Mondays from 10:00 to 18:00.
• Location: 2 Rue Henri Barbusse, 13001 Marseille, France.
• Prices: General admission costs approximately 6 euros.

A ride on the Marseille sightseeing bus can also be a great way to entertain children in the city. Especially because it is a very practical means of transport that allows you to move through the most touristy and interesting areas of the city at a low cost and in a two-level, open-top vehicle that will help you explore the city in a much more fun way.

This makes stops at the Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica or also the city's town hall located in the Old Port. You can buy one or two-day bus tickets. You can get on and off as many times as you like.

Depending on the time of year, it is possible that the timetables of the Marseille Hop On Hop Off buses may change slightly. However, they are usually available to you from early morning to late afternoon.

Public squares lined with restaurants and cafés are another cultural highlight of the French identity. So it's no surprise to learn that one of the best things to do with kids in Marseille is a visit to one of these pleasant urban spaces.

One of the most appropriate and fun of all is the Cours Julien and is distinguished by its elongated and narrow shape that stretches for 800m. It is located to the west of Marseille's old port and is lined along its entire length with cafés, restaurants, galleries and shops selling both clothing and art.

It has a rather bohemian and trendy atmosphere and is a great place to enjoy street art and graffiti in an atmosphere that feels very familiar. In fact, right in the centre of the space is a playground for children to enjoy while parents rest.

This place, with its excellent culinary offerings, is part of some of Marseille's best gastronomic tours, which are a great way to get to know the city through the palate.

Details of interest:

• Location: Cours Julien, 13006 Marseille, France.

The Château d'If is one of the most important attractions in Marseille. At the same time it is an activity that can be quite interesting for children as it is located on a fortified island of the same name.

Therefore, to get there it is necessary to take a small boat. In fact some of the best boat trips in Marseille include this place as one of the essential stops on the route.

It is a 16th century fortress that became world famous during the 18th century for being a main setting of a novel by Alexandre Dumas known as The Count of Monte Cristo. The site itself is quite beautiful, but at the same time it stands out because it offers extremely privileged views of the city of Marseille.

The island today offers you the opportunity to eat in a beautiful restaurant with a terrace and enjoy the views of this perfectly preserved historic site that is part of the great cultural heritage of this French city.

Details of interest:

• Opening hours: open daily from 10:00 to 17:00.
• Prices: Entrance to the château costs around 6 euros, but is usually included in boat tours of the bay.

A couple of metres from the Borely Park are the Prado Beaches. This is the stretch of the Marseille coastline made up of white sand that stretches for about 3 km between the Roucas nautical centre and the old port of Le Pointe Rouge.

It is part of the Parc Maritime du Prado and is an urban space that includes about seven beaches and a 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 a large number of people. However, just like during the rest of the year, it is a good place to enjoy with the family while playing on the different volleyball courts and skating rink, enjoying the climbing wall or eating at some of the different food stalls or restaurants in the area.

Details of interest:

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