10 Things to Do in Marseille in August

During the month of August you're likely to be interested in plans that involve being outdoors and in the sun on your visit to Marseille. And this makes perfect sense, as it is one of the most interesting destinations in France and a real treasure of the Côte d'Azur.

I advise you to read this post I have prepared for you with the most interesting activities and visits for the summer for people of all budgets.

Cassis is the neighbouring community of Marseille and is located right next to the Massif Des Calanques, the mountainous formation that lies to the south of the city. Cassis itself is part of the tourist itinerary for visitors to Marseille, as it is less than 1 hour from the city centre and offers visitors the chance to experience an authentic French Riviera village.

A short trip to Cassis is especially recommended during August as the first grapes of the season are being harvested in most of the vineyards in the area. This small town is characterised by the production of a smooth and delicate rosé wine, complemented by a dark liquor that has also turned this place into a reference in the country. At least when it comes to the production of alcoholic beverages.

That is why a tour of this area that includes wine tasting is one of the best things you can do, especially at the end of August. In fact, it is one of the best tours in Marseille.

Football is a sport that generates a lot of passion among the people of Marseille and the city's home stadium, the Orange Velodrome, is a treasure trove for the cultural identity of this place. The city's team is called Olympique de Marseille and Ligue 1 starts in mid-August.

So going to any of the matches during this month is an idea not to be missed. Especially because it is one of the best things to do in Marseille with children and at the same time an ideal opportunity to familiarise yourself with the sporting values of this city. And also with one of the most important elements of Marseille's identity.

Moreover, the stadium and its surroundings is one of the most beautiful areas of the whole city and touring it before and after the match will be a very entertaining activity. It is not for nothing that the people of Marseille are proud to say that they have the team with the best fans in the country and at the same time the most beautiful stadium in the world.

Marseille is a city where maritime life and boats in general have always had a very important connection with its economy and also with its traditions. In this context, during August, an event with many years of history takes place and has become a tourist attraction for those who know of its existence. It is the joute nautique, a kind of duel between handcrafted boats that takes place in the nearby port of L'Estaque.

Basically, the duel is like a medieval joust on horseback, except that in this case it takes place from one boat to the other. A sort of platform is built on the prow of each boat so that each of the opponents stands on his with a lance that can reach up to 2 and a half metres in length. The main objective of this duel is to throw the other participant into the water and over the years this has become a real sport that has national championships all over France.

So visiting this village so close to the centre of Marseille to witness one of these water duels is one of those things you shouldn't miss during your trip in August. In fact, it is a recommended plan for those who have a 4-day trip to Marseille, as you will have enough time for this activity.

Sitting in the sun in one of the city's public parks is a tradition that is part of the way of life for most Europeans and Marseille is ideal for this. Throughout the city there are plenty of green spaces ideal for locals and tourists alike to enjoy this summertime activity.

The Parc Borely with its castle and cycle paths and the Parc Longchamp with its impressive palace are good choices. Even more so knowing that both have some of the top 10 museums in Marseille on their premises, which is ideal for you to escape the heat and sun when you've had enough.

This is a great plan all summer long, but becomes even more special during the month of August due to the fact that the highest temperatures of the season occur at this time. So being outdoors in a shady place with plenty of greenery becomes a privilege, especially at the beginning of the month.

In the old port area of the city you will also find the Emile Duclaux park. This is a good thing to know in case you find yourself in this very urban part of the city and need some fresh air in a green area with a privileged view of the port of Marseille.

Des Calanques National Park is one of the best places to visit all summer long. This is due to the excellent opportunity it offers visitors to enjoy turquoise waters in a landscape that closely resembles that of the Norwegian fjords, but under the colours and mountains of the Mediterranean.

However, a different way to explore this area so dear to the Marseillaise is to organise a day's hiking along the different mountains of the national park. The scenery is not only interesting between the beaches and coves of the coast, but the mountains leading up to this site also provide an excellent type of entertainment, especially if you enjoy the idea of walking through a natural space like this.

Mont Puget is a mountain peak that is quite accessible and well signposted for you to explore. In addition, walking or driving through this area, you have the opportunity to reach some of the coves that offer the waters of the Mediterranean. This is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Marseille throughout the summer.

The Cité Radieuse is a multi-dwelling complex that was designed by Le Corbusier with the intention of rethinking an entire neighbourhood with shops and service establishments in a totally vertical manner. The result is one of the great wonders of 20th century modernist architecture and over the years the building has become one of the greatest works of this visionary of urbanism as well as an architectural treasure of the city.

You should know that throughout the summer guided tours are offered and specifically during the month of August the frequency increases due to the number of tourists who are interested in this particular activity. So if you consider yourself an architecture lover or simply want to get to know one of the most famous sites in all of Marseille, then you can't miss out on this little tour.

Also, this site is part of one of Marseille's Hop On Hop Off bus stops, which means that you could combine this activity with sightseeing exploration of the city from a comfortable bus which could drastically reduce the amount of time it would take you on a conventional walk.

Just off the coast of Marseille in the city's namesake bay lies a small archipelago called the Frioul Islands. This site historically always functioned as a point of protection for the port as well as a reference point for sailors who were already approaching the city. Today, it is an ideal summer destination because it offers ideal beaches that are less crowded. Moreover, this destination is included in the routes of the best boat trips in Marseille.

Its proximity to the Château d'If has also made it a favourite place for those who want to enjoy a privileged view of this historic construction. In any case, visiting these islands is a very advisable plan during the month of August because of the fact that you can enjoy excellent beaches without having to leave the city.

Many urban cemeteries become a real tourist attraction both for the peculiarity of their design and for the historical relevance they have for that community. In the case of Marseille, the Saint-Pierre Cemetery is an excellent attraction in the city during the month of August due to the fact that it does not usually have so many visitors and this means that you can walk through its extension in total comfort.

Besides, the weather conditions are more favourable at this time of the year for a guided or self-guided tour through this picturesque cemetery. It is also worth noting that the neighbourhood around this tourist attraction has one of the most bohemian and vibrant communities in the city. All this while there is also a quality gastronomic offer that can provide you with an excellent lunch to continue the rest of your day in the best possible way.

A bike tour of Marseille will always be one of the favourite activities to enjoy on a visit to the city during the month of August. The first reason has to do with the fact that it allows you to explore the city more quickly while having fun with a sporting activity.

The second is that it saves you public transport in the month when these ways of getting around the city are most in demand all year round. It is also a good way to experience Marseille more closely and even to discover places that would go unnoticed on other means of transport.

For all these reasons, the best bike tours in Marseille are a highly recommended plan for a visit at any time in August. Even more so knowing that the summer weather conditions make this activity even more fun and entertaining.

Marseille's gastronomy is also worth enjoying during the month of August. In this context, the best gastronomic tours of Marseille can be a good bet for your trip, especially if you focus on trying to discover which restaurants in the city have the best panisse, one of the great culinary treasures of this place and at the same time one of the most characteristic foods of the summer months.

The Bouillabaisse is a fish broth that looks like a Galician and Portuguese caldeirada and is very characteristic of the original food of this French city. During the whole month of August it is usually served more frequently than during the rest of the year due to a combination of a greater influx of tourists and an increase in fishing for the seafood that makes up this recipe.

So trying this dish is something not to be missed, even more so if you accompany it with another of the great flavours of Marseille gastronomy in August and the summer, the Tapenade. Chez Fonfon, Les Trois Forts and Peron are some of the best places in the city for you to venture out and try this recipe.

The beginning of August presents some of the highest temperatures of the whole year for the South of France. As such, you are likely to encounter 31 or 35°C on an average day of the month while the lows will not drop below 20°.

August is the busiest month for most European cities and Marseille is no exception. This means that throughout the month many tourist facilities will be packed with people, so outdoor activities such as the ones I have outlined in this compilation become even more convenient and interesting.

Prices become more expensive in August for the simple fact that it is high season. Accommodation, transport and even food might be a bit more expensive than in the rest of the year.

For August in Marseille you need to bring the same things you would use in any Mediterranean summer destination. This means a good sunscreen, clothes that are cool and appropriate for all types of situations and, above all, appropriate footwear for walking from north to south and east to west across this great city.