10 Things to Do in Marseille in June

The best things to see and do in Marseille are constantly changing throughout the year and this makes a lot of sense, as the cultural agenda in winter is definitely not the same as in summer. At the same time, there is the fact that June is a very special month to visit this southern French city, especially since the weather is favourable and the tourist influx is still moderate.

So I advise you to read this compilation of plans, activities and sites that I have organised for you. For each of these present themselves as excellent entertainment alternatives on what to see and do in Marseille during the month of June.

The Fête de la musique takes place on 21 June , which is a festival that coincides with the summer solstice and celebrates what is known around the world as the international day of music. This is a very special date for the French, as free and completely public events are organised throughout the country in the main theatres as well as in squares, parks and cultural institutions.

Marseille is clearly no exception to this rule and it is therefore common for the city to organise an annually changing schedule with a series of concerts covering a myriad of musical genres to attract the most diverse audience.

You should also know that this is one of the best things to do with children in Marseille for the simple fact that not only are there classical music concerts, but there are also dance, art and theatre events. All seek to incorporate music in the most didactic and interactive way possible.

Tennis is a very important sport for the European society in general and during the month of May and the month of June one of the most important tournaments in the world takes place. It is the Roland Garros, an official tournament that is part of the Grand Slam. It has been organised since the 19th century under the aegis of the French Tennis Federation and is extremely important for the sporting identity of this country.

So one of the best things to do during the month of June in a city like Marseille would be to organise a simple visit to the different tennis courts on the Prado beaches to have a beer and enjoy a game of Beach Tennis while the bars broadcast the latest matches of this important tournament in the world of international tennis.

You are sure to find an extremely welcoming atmosphere, as people are already starting to enjoy these urban beaches due to the high temperatures of the month. Even more so knowing that the whole country tends to see this event as a real party that puts France in the spotlight for a few days and Beach Tennis is a great sport to celebrate with the locals.

You should also know that if you want to complement this plan with another activity that will take you to live a sporting experience in first person, you can participate in one of the best bike tours in Marseille with which you will be able to visit as many of the city's neighbourhoods as possible in the shortest time possible.

This festival, which follows the European trend of taking advantage of the summer to enjoy open-air cinema, runs from mid-June to September. This means that when you arrive in the city during this month you will have the opportunity to enjoy the first Ciné Plein-Air Marseille screenings , which take place in public squares and parks throughout the city on various days of the week.

This is one of the best things to do in Marseille during the summer because the screenings are completely free to the public and the films are of high quality. So it's a way to enjoy the urban space of this metropolis in a very different way that is suitable for people of all ages.

It's also a favourite activity for young locals who take advantage of the start of the French school holidays in June to go to the cinema in the open air.

When it comes to outdoor activities in June, you can't miss the opportunity to go shopping in the city's markets. These abound in different neighbourhoods of the oldest part of Marseille, including Le Panier with its steep, narrow streets.

The Quai des Belgues is also a great place if you want to experience the outdoor shopping experience of Marseille, as there is a fish market there that can be very entertaining and interesting for you. Another recommended visit is the Marché des Capucins for its oriental character that is directly inspired by the Arab souks that have a direct connection with the history of this city because of its port character. You can find it in the heart of the bohemian district of Noailles.

In any case, you should be aware that if you visit this market in June , the influx of tourists is much less significant. That doesn't mean it's no longer a good choice of things to do in Marseille in August or September, but June is definitely a much more appropriate month for this tourist experience.

Montpellier is another great city on the French Mediterranean coast and is about a two-hour train ride from Marseille. Visiting in June can be a good idea, as the crowds are less crowded than in other summer months. You can also enjoy the Montpellier Danse festival .

This is an event that takes place between mid-June and July organised by the Montpellier city council. It aims to encourage the development of contemporary dance in all kinds of public spaces throughout the city.

It is now a much more diverse event, incorporating different dance forms from all over the world over the 15 days it lasts. The event also attracts talented choreographers from all over the world and, although it has special activities all over the city, it is usually held in the heart of the old city in the former convent of the Ursuline nuns.

The schedule of activities changes every year. It's definitely a great event for those making a four-day trip to Marseille, as on the fourth day you may have enough time to travel to Montpellier and return for a last Marseillaise dinner.

If the idea of getting out of Marseille for a couple of hours still sounds interesting to you, then don't miss another great event that takes place around Marseille during the month of June. This is a festival dedicated to the lyrical arts and it is organised in the nearby community of Aix-en-Provence.

Throughout the festival, which usually takes place between late June and early July, there are all kinds of events related to lyrical music, as well as the performing arts that it incorporates. Therefore, there are opera, concerts and plays that take place in some of the most important cultural buildings of this town, such as the Théâtre de l'Archevêché, the Grand Théâtre de Provence and the Théâtre du Jeu de Paume.

At the same time, the idea of attending some of the concerts of this festival, which are usually free, is quite convenient for those who are interested in participating in some of the best excursions in Provence from Marseille. Especially knowing that this city is one of the most picturesque in the region and at the same time one of the closest to the great metropolis of Marseille.

However, to enjoy real natural attractions, it is not necessary to leave the Marseille metropolitan area. In fact, one of the most attractive spots in the French Mediterranean is just a couple of kilometres south of the city, and that is the Des Calanques National Park.

This site is a river with turquoise waters that resemble the Norwegian fjords and are the product of a geological formation that creates perfect coves for the enjoyment of Marseille residents and tourists throughout the summer.

In this case you should know that it is one of the best things to do during the month of June in this city for the simple fact that it is a good escape from the heat that begins to set in during the middle of this month and the influx of tourists is less significant than the rest of the summer. In addition, Les Calanques is one of the typical stops for the best boat trips in Marseille.

Venturing out to explore the best of the local gastronomy is another great way to enjoy your visit to Marseille during the month of June. Many of the city's most popular restaurants will still have tables available that are accessible to you without the need to book too far in advance or deal with long hours of waiting at the door.

June is actually the best month of the summer to take part in the best food tours in Marseille, as you can still explore the markets and restaurants without having to deal with the crowds of tourists.

Also, appreciate the fact that June represents the change between spring and summer. This means that many ingredients that are in short supply during the hottest season of the year will still be accessible for the city's top chefs to experiment with.

Similarly, participating in an architecture-focused tour of Marseille is a much more favourable activity in June than during the rest of the year. This is due to the simple fact that tourist demand is high enough for this type of activity to take place. It is also due to the fact that as it is the beginning of the student holidays, these types of plans abound all over the city for university students, tourists and young people interested in architecture.

It should be noted that the old port of Marseille together with the modern constructions that have been developed around it present one of the most interesting urban panoramas in the whole of the French Mediterranean. In addition, you can also enjoy the great works of one of the great exponents of urban planning in this country, Le Corbusier, throughout the city .

So if you are interested in architecture, you should not miss out on these types of plans, especially knowing that they are part of the best tours of Marseille.

By the month of June the heat is already being felt more strongly throughout Marseille and if the city's beaches are proving insufficient then you can take a trip west or east to continue exploring the best of the French Mediterranean. The coves between Marseille and Nice are a good alternative, but heading for the sandy shores of Occitane can also be a great way to escape the heat that defines this time of year.

The best thing about it all is that visiting any coastal town near Marseille to explore its beaches is something that can be done in a couple of hours thanks to France's excellent rail network. It's also very close to each other geographically.

Throughout the month of June, Marseille still enjoys temperatures that can be considered quite pleasant as the maximum temperatures are usually around 32 °C while the minimum temperatures can still remain above 20 °C.

The number of tourists in Marseille in June is one of the great advantages of visiting this city during this month compared to the rest of the summer. For July and August the number of visitors arriving will be much higher and this complicates the enjoyment of many tourist services.

There is not much difference between the prices in Marseille during June and the rest of the summer. At least for those activities and services that are not in high demand and do not have a relatively limited offer.

However, visiting Marseille during the month of June is a much more expensive experience than visiting during an autumn week or even an early spring week.

During the month of June you should pack a good sunscreen in your suitcase to avoid the possibility of getting sunstroke. But above all, you should pack plenty of breathable clothing, as this is a city where you'll be doing a lot of walking and it's important to keep cool to avoid major discomfort from the month's temperatures.