A southern French secret: hidden attractions in Marseilles

France is always a happy place to visit, it’s one of my personal favorite destinations of all, so today I thought I’d suggest unveiling a southern French secret: hidden attractions in Marseilles.

There are always very hyped attractions, especially in such a “touristy” place like France, but there are always also nice and not so very known destinations and spots and these are more quiet and fascinating than the mainstream ones that everybody roams. Of course I’m not saying you shouldn’t explore the known destinations – they are the life of the place. But there is also a secret world to explore, one best known to the locals and fascinating to everybody smart enough to know where to look.

Here are some of the famous secret traditions – if we may express it this way:

If you admire the symbolist poetry of the 19th century, you will be happy to know that there is a monument dedicated to Arthur Rimbaud located in Marseilles. The “drunken ship” is a sculpture meant to remind people of the young tragic poet’s passing through life and death in Marseilles.

At the Camargue National Park you can enjoy a picnic on the marshes or breathe a breath of fresh air on one of the unspoiled beaches in the area.

If it’s farming what you like, you can pick a rural sort of entertainment, some peace and quiet and fresh air at one of the farms in Northern France. St. Marie de la Mer is a perfect place, one where you can have a very sincere and authentic experience, admiring flamencos, bulls and horses.

And if you want to check “seeing the longest tunnel in the world” on your “to do” travel list, Marseilles offers the chance to see Rove Tunnel, built in the early 1900s.

If you want good transport, Marseilles airport transfers can provide that and you can ask the driver to take you wherever you like in the northern region of the country.