Marseille

This ranking includes the most populous cities in Europe in 2025, from Moscow with 11.62 million inhabitants to Budapest with 1.7 million. It features major European capitals like London, Berlin, Madrid, Rome, and Paris, as well as Saint Petersburg, Vienna, and Hamburg. These metropolitan areas are the continent's main demographic centers, each with its own history, architecture, and legacy. The selection is based on the municipal population of each city. Some cities surprise with their size, such as London, which covers an area fourteen times larger than Paris, or Rome, which extends over a territory twelve times greater than the French capital. Others are distinguished by their major economic roles, such as Hamburg, which hosts Germany's largest port, or by their internationally recognized quality of life, like Vienna. These destinations invite exploration of European urban diversity from east to west.

This collection brings together the 50 most populous cities of France, from the metropolis to overseas territories. It includes the major urban centers shaping the national territory, from Paris with its capital status to regional metropolises like Marseille with its Mediterranean port, Lyon where the Rhône and Saône meet, or Toulouse with its aerospace industry. These cities represent the main economic, cultural, and administrative hubs of the country. The selection covers all French regions and illustrates the diversity of territories: dense communes in Île-de-France, southern cities like Nice on the Côte d'Azur and Montpellier near the Mediterranean, eastern cities such as Strasbourg hosting the European Parliament, northern centers like Lille close to Belgium, or Bordeaux known for its architecture and vineyards. From Nantes, former capital of the Dukes of Brittany, to communes of La Réunion, this collection offers a complete overview of major French urban areas and invites exploration of their history, heritage, and unique vitality.

Marseille brings together ancient history and modern city life. This route reveals the many faces of the city through its most important places: the Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica overlooks the entire city, while the Vieux-Port serves as the beating heart of urban activity. The harbor has been a gateway to the world for centuries, and its maritime past remains visible along the waterfront today. The collection connects impressive architecture with coastal landscapes. Historical buildings like the Palais Longchamp, the Cathédrale La Major, and Fort Saint-Jean tell stories of Marseille's political and military importance. Contemporary museums and artistic spaces show how the city has evolved. The Château d'If, a former fortress on an offshore island, comes alive through literature and history. Calanques National Park offers dramatic limestone cliffs and hidden coves that stretch along the coastline. Traditional fishing neighborhoods like the Vallon des Auffes and Malmousque preserve daily Marseille life. From street art districts like Cours Julien to quieter spots like the Goudes, the city reveals many sides and invites visitors to explore.

Marseille offers a range of photo locations that show the city's history and geography. Visitors can watch daily life at the harbor in Vallon des Auffes, where fishing boats create traditional scenes, or walk the steep streets of the old quarter Le Panier, with its colorful facades and local shops. The Calanque de Morgiou displays natural coastal beauty with limestone cliffs and turquoise water. The city connects historical buildings with modern life. Fort Saint-Jean shapes the harbor landscape, while the Palais Longchamp impresses with its neoclassical design. Art and sculpture appear throughout: on Cours Julien with its street murals, in Vieille Charité, which serves as a cultural space, and in Le Corbusier's Cité Radieuse, showing postwar architecture. Those interested in religious monuments will find La Major Cathedral with its Byzantine form and Saint Victor Abbey with its long history. Natural spots like Corniche Kennedy and Borély Park offer views of the sea and local leisure culture. Less familiar places like La Buzine or Anse de la Fausse Monnaie reward explorers with quieter settings. Together, these locations show Marseille's many faces: a city with maritime tradition, artistic heritage, and open spaces by the water.

Marseille's dining scene ranges from Michelin-starred restaurants to traditional family-run establishments. All share a focus on Mediterranean cooking that draws from local waters and markets. Seafood plays a starring role, with bouillabaisse, the city's famous fish stew, appearing on many menus alongside fresh catches prepared with care. These restaurants occupy diverse settings throughout the city. Some overlook the sea or sit along the Old Port, while others nestle in historic buildings or the Panier neighborhood, where narrow streets and old stone facades create a lived-in feel. Chefs here work with Provençal foundations and add contemporary methods, and some weave international touches into their cooking. Places like Le Petit Nice, L'Épuisette, and Chez Fonfon have earned recognition for their seafood-focused menus, while AM, Ourea, and Une Table show how the city's cooks experiment within the regional tradition. Whether you seek a quiet dinner or a lively meal, Marseille's restaurants reflect the city's long connection to the sea and its multicultural past.

Marseille and its surroundings offer many ways to have fun with family or friends. You will find climbing gyms where you can go up walls of different heights, escape rooms to solve puzzles as a team, trampoline parks to jump and play, and water centers for water fans. Sports lovers enjoy climbing walls, go-kart tracks, and bowling alleys, while children love the game areas suitable for their age. For those who like a challenge, immersive game rooms offer unique experiences. In Marseille, you can try to escape a maze of themed rooms, take part in laser games in three-dimensional spaces, or test your team skills in a quiz. Other places invite you to test your senses by being blindfolded, an experience that is both surprising and fun. Children will enjoy the indoor play areas, with inflatable structures, slides, and ball pools. Nearby, electric go-kart circuits allow young ones to learn speed safely. Whether you want a quick activity or a full day of entertainment, the area has something for everyone and all ages.

Marseille has many rooftop and terrace bars that offer views across the city and the Mediterranean Sea. These places take advantage of the mild climate and invite you to enjoy cocktails and drinks from above. The selection ranges from modern hotels to historic buildings and contemporary art spaces scattered across different neighborhoods and styles. The rooftop bars in Marseille follow different approaches. Some sit in established hotels like the Sofitel at the Old Harbor or the Hermès, while others are part of cultural venues such as Friche La Belle de Mai or the MuCEM. Still others operate as independent bars and cafés tucked into waterfront locations, hillsides, or courtyards. Visitors can experience Mediterranean life here during sunset, watch the water, and see the city from above. Each place has its own feel—some buzz with people and energy, while others remain quiet and tucked away. The range of options means you can find a spot that matches your taste and the time of day.