Guided Tour of Le Panier Discover France's Oldest District

Our tour starts at the iconic XVIIth century City Hall of Marseille. A place formely known as the "Loge", where merchants would negotiate and trade the thousands of goods imported into the city every year!

We start our walk at the Quai du Port of Marseille, wandering by the Old Port of the city, talking about what happened to the city during World War II, and going back the Greeks arrival into the port in 600 BC.

It is then time to walk passed the Fort St Jean, a grandiose XVIIth century fortress built at the entry of the city. The reason? Not what you expect, and your guide will of course let you know everything essential about this iconic landmark.

It is now time to enter the Cathedral La Major. This stunning XIXth century Cathedral perfectly reflects the personnality and identity of the cosmopolitan city of Marseille, whose Romano-Byzantine architecture will make you wonder whether you are in the western or eastern part of the Mediterranean sea. The answer? Both! nested at the edge of the old city, it was built near the sea like the Alexandria's lighthouse, so that ships coming from the four corner of the sea can see it from afar. Enter this gorgeous landmark which marks the renewal of the city of the XIXth century.

Time to fully discover "Le Panier" (i.e The Basket), the oldest district in France. This artistic, bohemian neihbourhood wasn't always this trendy, and your guide will tell you some crazy stories that have happened in this area. Why is Le Panier called Le Panier? How did the people live? How do the people live now? Why did we have so many windmills in the middle of the city? You will lose yourself in the multitude of narrow streets and passageways but don't worry, we will find our way home!

At the edge of the Old Town is located a former hospice destined to house, feed and educate the poor and orphans. The beautiful building, designed by Pierre Puget who was litterally born 30 seconds away from its entry, has many arcades and a beautiful pink colour, typical to the old monuments of Marseille. We will stop there for a restroom break. Note that, since it is today a museum, the Vieille Charité hospice is closed on mondays.

We will finalize our tour by walking onto the most parisian street of Marseille, filled with Haussmanian type buildings, making you feel that you are back in the French capital. Why does it have such an architecture? Why was it built? Did the people here like it? Do they like today? Find out all of its secrets! Your guide will also have a folder filled with old photos, taken at the very same spots you will be walking onto for better immersion into Marseille's past!

We will finish our tour at the heart of Marseille, the Vieux Port, where your hotel will likely be. A place where you can watch concerts, go to the fish market, of simply stroll, as the sun sets or rises gently onto the oldest city in France.