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Starting at the Docks and the Port Terraces, the route gradually follows the coastline to the Major Cathedral, before continuing on to the Mucem and Fort Saint-Jean, and ending at the quays of the Old Port.
This route offers a mix of monuments, views of the Mediterranean, and outdoor spaces, all while proceeding at the children’s pace.
Fromthe Hôtel La Joliette by Esteem, the Major Cathedral, the Mucem, Fort Saint-Jean, and the Old Port are all within walking distance. As a general guide, it takes about 8 minutes to reach La Major, 10 minutes to the Mucem, and 15 minutes to the Old Port. To help you explore further, the hotel’s Marseille travel guide also includes several suggestions for nearby sights and activities.
The tour begins in the heart of La Joliette, a historic neighborhood in the Port of Marseille that has become one of the main hubs of the Euroméditerranée project.
The former docks have retained their industrial architecture while now housing shops, restaurants, and workspaces. Just a few steps away, the Terrasses du Port offer a completely different setting, with sweeping views of the Mediterranean.
Their large outdoor terrace offers views of the port of Marseille, the ferries, and the islands offshore. If you’re traveling with children, it’s a pleasant starting point to take some time to enjoy the scenery before continuing on foot toward the historic center.
It's also a convenient spot to grab a coffee or take a quick break before heading to the Major Cathedral.
From La Joliette, continue south toward the Cathédrale de la Major, which is just a few minutes' walk away.
The route gradually marks the transition from the contemporary architecture of Euroméditerranée to historic Marseille.
With its facades featuring alternating light and dark stones and its imposing domes, La Major is one of the most recognizable landmarks along the Marseille waterfront. Its esplanade also offers a beautiful view of the Mediterranean Sea and the harbor.
After exploring the cathedral, the Voûtes de la Major, located below, offer a place to take a break before continuing on. Today, they connect La Major, the waterfront, and the first narrow streets of Le Panier.
From the esplanade, the Mucem and Fort Saint-Jean are already visible: the next stops on the route are easily reached on foot.
From La Major, continue toward Fort Saint-Jean, at the entrance to the Old Port.
One of the highlights of this part of the route is the pedestrian bridges that connect the various sites. For children, the walk itself becomes part of the tour: you gain elevation, cross the old fortifications, and the views change as you approach the harbor.
Inside Fort Saint-Jean, the tour continues through the ramparts, gardens, and open spaces overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and the entrance to the Old Port.
You don’t have to plan a long cultural tour to enjoy the site. During opening hours, you can explore several outdoor areas of Fort Saint-Jean, as well as the walkways and terraces of the Mucem complex, without making the exhibitions the focus of your visit.
This layout makes the site particularly appealing for families: everyone can explore the grounds at their own pace, while spending most of their time outdoors.
From Fort Saint-Jean, a footbridge provides direct access to Building J4 of the Mucem, the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations.
The museum can easily be included in the itinerary without requiring a detour.
Depending on the children’s ages and the time you have available, you can choose to visit the exhibits or simply explore the building’s architecture, its terraces, and its outdoor spaces overlooking the sea.
This flexibility is especially appreciated during a family outing. The Mucem can be the main cultural attraction of the day or simply a brief stop between Fort Saint-Jean and the Old Port.
Even without exploring all the collections, the building designed by Rudy Ricciotti—with its play of light and shadow, its walkways, and its views of the Mediterranean—is worth a visit.
To discover other cultural sites near the hotel, be sure to check out our Marseille travel guide.
After La Major, Fort Saint-Jean, and perhaps the Mucem, a break might be welcome, especially if you have young children.
The area between J4, the Mucem, and the Major Cathedral offers several open spaces where you can take a break before continuing on to the Old Port. There is also a playground near La Major and J4.
This step makes it especially easy to adjust the duration of the outing.
If the kids start to get tired, you can end the tour near the Mucem or Fort Saint-Jean. If everyone wants to keep going, the Old Port isn't far away.
From Fort Saint-Jean, continue on foot toward the Old Port of Marseille.
Arriving at the docks marks the final major stage of the tour. Here, the itinerary can be kept simple: stroll along the harbor, look at the boats, and enjoy the lively atmosphere of downtown Marseille.
In particular, you can continue on tothe Ombrière du Vieux-Port, the large mirror designed by Foster + Partners that has become one of the harbor’s contemporary landmarks.
After several visits, there’s no need to add another attraction to the itinerary. Simply watching the boats, the fishermen, and the hustle and bustle of the harbor already offers a different way to explore Marseille with children.
The Old Port can also serve as the starting point for your next day’s adventure. Several ferry routes depart from this area, including those to the Château d’If and the Frioul Islands.
To plan other outings during your stay, check out our selection of 7 family-friendly activities in Marseille.
You don't have to walk the entire route to enjoy this part of Marseille.
If you have young children, focus on outdoor stops: the Terrasses du Port, the La Major esplanade, the footbridges, Fort Saint-Jean, and the Old Port quays. A visit to the Mucem can be optional, depending on their pace and what they’re in the mood for.
If you have older children, you can include a visit to the Mucem’s collections or spend more time at Fort Saint-Jean.
For first-time visitors, the itinerary can follow these six simple steps:
The appeal of this itinerary is its flexibility: each family can shorten or extend the visit depending on the children’s ages, the weather, and the time they have available.
For families who want to continue exploring Marseille on foot, Le Panier is located right next to La Major and Fort Saint-Jean.
Considered the oldest neighborhood in Marseille, it offers a setting quite different from the waterfront: narrow alleys, stairways, small squares, colorful facades, and street art punctuate the walk.
From La Major, it’s easy to include a few streets in the Panier neighborhood in your itinerary before heading to Fort Saint-Jean or the Old Port.
However, with young children, it’s best to avoid cramming too many stops into one day. The neighborhood can easily be the focus of another outing, so you can take the time to explore its narrow streets without making the day drag on too long.
Located at 49 Robert Schuman Avenue,the Hôtel La Joliette by Esteem is a 4-star hotel in the heart of La Joliette and the Euroméditerranée district.
Its location allows you to explore much of Marseille's waterfront without having to drive. Les Terrasses du Port are right nearby, while the Cathédrale de la Major, the Mucem, Fort Saint-Jean, Le Panier, and the Vieux-Port are all within walking distance.
The hotel has 64 air-conditioned rooms, with several layouts designed for families with children. Explore the rooms at Hotel La Joliette to choose the category that best suits your family vacation.
After a day spent exploring Marseille on foot, the hotel's amenities include a heated indoor pool and a steam room.
To help you plan the rest of your stay, the Marseille travel guide from Hôtel La Joliette also highlights other places to explore, from the Calanques to Marseille’s beaches and the city’s various neighborhoods.
Yes. From La Joliette, you can walk to several of Marseille’s must-see attractions, including the Major Cathedral, the Mucem, Fort Saint-Jean, Le Panier, and the Old Port. The neighborhood is therefore a convenient starting point for exploring the waterfront and the historic center with children.
Yes. La Joliette and the Old Port are connected by a pedestrian path along the waterfront. From the Hôtel La Joliette by Esteem, it takes about 15 minutes to walk directly to the Old Port. If you include La Major, Fort Saint-Jean, and the Mucem, plan on spending several hours so you can enjoy the various stops at a leisurely pace.
To explore La Major, Fort Saint-Jean, the outdoor areas of the Mucem, and the Old Port, you should ideally set aside half a day. The total time will depend mainly on how much time you spend at the Mucem and on breaks with the children.
No. You can enjoy the Cathédrale de la Major, the footbridges, Fort Saint-Jean, and the waterfront without visiting the museum’s collections. The Mucem can be added to the itinerary depending on how much time you have and the ages of the children.
Yes, as long as you adjust it to their pace. The many outdoor stops allow you to alternate between walking and taking breaks. It’s also easy to shorten the route around the Mucem or Fort Saint-Jean.
Les Docks, Les Terrasses du Port, La Major, Le Panier, the Mucem, and the Old Port are all nearby. For a longer stay, families can also plan a boat trip to the Château d’If and the Frioul Islands or explore other ideas in our guide to visiting Marseille.
If you’re looking to stay near the Mucem, the Panier, and the Old Port, check out the Hôtel La Joliette by Esteem and use La Joliette as a starting point to explore Marseille on foot.
Each BWH Hotels property is individually operated by an independent owner.
