Paris is the most sought-after destination in the whole of Europe this winter, and it's not hard to see why: between the elegant Haussmann boulevards, the sparkly Eiffel Tower, and the romantic bistro culture, it's a bucket list destination for millions of travelers.
Despite being the capital of France, however, it is not its oldest city, and one may argue it's far from being the capital of cool:
All those titles are, in fact, claimed by Marseille, the Mediterranean antithesis to a Northerly Paris and a sprawling coastal metropolis that CNN has just named a must-visit destination for 2025.
Why Swap Paris For Marseille?
If you've been to Paris before, and you've just landed in Marseille for the first time, we wouldn't blame you for being under the impression France's second-largest city, home to over 800,000 inhabitants and wedged between towering massifs and turquoise seas, belongs to a different country altogether.
While Paris is undoubtedly Northern European, both architecture-wise and in attitude, Marseille is unashamedly Southern.
It is a vibrant port city straddling the Mediterranean and one that's been a melting pot of cultures for over 2,600 years:
It was founded by Greeks in around 600 B.C. before falling under the domain of Rome, and as the centuries passed, it would be strongly influenced by Spain, Italy, and North Africa.
For instance, around 30% of Marseille has some Italian ancestry, and if you're strolling the hilly Panier district, where pastel-colored buildings flank narrow alleys, and you'll find yourself dodging a reckless biker or two, you'll clearly see the resemblance.
There are also large Asian and Arab communities, making Marseille one of France's most culturally diverse, and dare we say, exciting cities:
Why Do Some Think Is Marseille Cooler Than Paris?
You haven't been to Paris until you've had the French bistro experience, pairing oysters with sleek white wine ahead of the main aligot and steak course as you people-watch from out the window.
Likewise, you haven't really been to Marseille until you've slurped your bouillabaisse fish soup with the occasional sipping on a Pastis bottle at a fishermen-run eatery down by the Vieux-Port.
It's no wonder it's featured as our number one city for gastronomy in France in 2024, but the fresh seafood and French-Italian or French-Arab fusions play only a small part in what makes Marseille a great destination.
A sunny, warm day in Paris is all about lying on the grass at Jardin des Tuileries, admiring the stately monuments around as you entertain yourself with a summery novel, walking the Seine quayside until you find the perfect picnic spot, or gorging on gelato macarons as you explore Montmartre.
In Marseille, you'd be heading out to the sandy Plage des Catalans to bask in the balmy sun, biking the extent of the Corniche coastal path, or swimming in the teal-colored lagoons of the nearby Calanque de Sugiton.
Looking for the Bohemian district? Cours Julien has all the graffiti, edgy bars, and vibrant art scene. Paris is somewhat restrained, still very bourgeois (or what the French call it, bobo), but Le Marais doesn't.
Last but not least, if you feel like Paris is charming but could do with some color, Le Panier's pastel facades or the beautifully chaotic Vauban district at the foot of the Neo-Byzantine Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica feel like a far cry from the former's somber tones and aesthetic cohesiveness.
Ancient Wonders Galore
As the oldest city in France and one of the largest cities to border the Mediterranean, Marseille has no shortage of amazing landmarks to discover, from monumental churches to world-class museums to natural parks.
Not mcuh is left from the Greek period, but tourists can still pay the modernist, glass-and-steel-clad Mucem (Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations), to delve deeper into Marseille's rich past as a Hellenic trading hub.
Hidden somewhere in the calanques park, more specifically in a lesser-known cave of the Cape of Morgiou, there is a water-filled cave discovered only in the 1980s, with various animal carvings dating back over 30 millennia.
Entrance to the cave is no longer permitted, but if you're in the park, you can get close enough to manage a furtive peek from a safe distance––alternatively, you can see a replica of this cave up close in Villa Méditerranée; near Vieux-Port.
With the exception of Le Panier, Marseille's medieval charm has been largely lost thanks to the Haussmann frenzy of the late-19 century, which saw narrow alleyways being widened into tree-flanked boulevards and agglomerations of houses replaced by stately edifices.
If you want to see something truly unique, though, you should make sure Hôtel de Cabre is on your list: tucked away in the corner where Rue de la Bonneterie meets the Grand-Rue, and often ignored by passersby, it's the oldest house still standing in Marseille, dating back to the year 1535.
Ready to have your mind truly blown? Discover more amazing destinations in France that are worlds apart from Paris here.
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