Cruises from and to Marseille (Provence), France

A journey to discover one of the most lively and colourful cities in Lower Provence. With an MSC Mediterranean Cruise, you'll get lost in the narrow streets and squares of Marseille, bathed in sunshine and ruffled by the Mistral. The atmosphere in this great city of Provence, the ancient province of south-east France, will be different from that of the rest of the country. Enjoy it!

An MSC Cruise to Provence will fascinate you with its multiculturalism, its monuments and museums, its coves and countless small restaurants, moreover with the bright col-ours that characterise all of Provence.

One of the MSC Excursions will bring you to the beating heart of the city: the Old Port, since its establishment by the Greeks, the hub of Marseille's life. You will feel protected by the two "sentinels" of the sea, the fortress of St-Jean and that of Saint Nicolas, while the Pavilion, by the architect Foster, and the panoramic wheel will suddenly catapult you into the present. Don't forget to slowly sip a Pastis, sitting on the shore of the Port, to capture the spirit of the people around you.

You must take part in the MSC Excursion that will take you to the square of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de la Garde. Slowly climb up this staircase to reach the entrance to the cathedral dedicated to the Bonne-Mère, sit between the benches and gaze upwards to discover that dozens of small boats and wooden planes hang from the ceiling to symbolise that the Virgin is also the patron saint of sailors. The site is priceless as is the view of Marseille and the sea.

Just outside Marseille, Aix-en-Provence awaits you, the destination of an MSC Excursion, which will impress you with its stunning beauty. The route through the city will guide you to Aix Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur), with its precious medieval art treasures; dating back to the 16th century, this complex of structures is worth visiting for its splendid Romanesque cloisters, and for the western entrances of the cathedral, which depict scenes and symbols from the Bible. You will then be welcomed by the royal Mazarin quarter, built by Archbishop Mazarin, brother of the cardinal who governed France, to host the house of the nobility. A leisurely walk will complement these visits.