Palais du Pharo Tours
2 Reviews
Wouldn't it be nice to be a prince, to be able to go to seaside town, decide you liked it and wouldn't mind having a little holiday home there, then have the city give you the prime location on the waterfront to build your palace? Welcome to the mid-19th century world of Prince-President Louis-Napoleon. In September 1852, he visited Marseille, said he liked it, was given the Pharo headland overlooking Vieux Port and Ile d'If, built the magnificent Palais du Pharo, then never even stayed there. Luckily his wife seems to have had a more generous nature and the Empress Eugenie gave it back to the city.
In 1904, the city of Marseille turned the building into a medical school. This necessitated some architectural changes and the balance of the building's appearance was altered losing some of its beauty. Since then, the building has been again modified to become a modern conference centre, with many of the auditoriums skillfully concealed underground below the forecourt. It also has restaurants and of course, those views.
Jardin du Pharo is open everyday so you can enjoy the views from the headland, and appreciate the grand palace building from outside. Check locally for what's on: occasional art exhibitions allow you also to see inside and some rooms are richly furnished and open for viewing. Take the bus to Isabelle Carta stop, or walk or ride a bicycle out from the Vieux Port.
Address: 58 Boulevard Charles Livon, Marseille 13007, France
12 Tours and Activities to Experience Palais du Pharo
Select Dates
Sort by:Featured
Mountain Bike ToursMarseille Smalll Group Electric Bike Tour
Discover the beauty and culture of historic Marseille on this family-friendly electric bike tour. Accompany your guide and a small group on a ride through Marseille’s ancient streets. Explore off-the-beaten-path corners of the city, picturesque ports and main attractions like Palais du Pharo and Notre-Dame de la Garde, and cruise along the waterfront for gorgeous Mediterranean views. See more of France’s oldest city with ease.
... More
- 3 hours 30 minutes
- Free Cancellation
From
$39.52
Price varies by group size
Mountain Bike ToursMarseille Shore Excursion: Half Day Tour of Marseille by Electric Bike
Spend your time in port in Marseille exploring with ease by electric bike on this half-day cycling tour. Spin through the city streets with a guide, and discover top attractions such as Notre Dame de la Garde Basilica and the Palais du Pharo. Enjoy panoramic French Riviera views along the pretty Corniche Kennedy, and visit traditional ports including the Vallon des Auffes. Along the way, explore the ancient Panier neighborhood and new Joliette district, and gain insight into centuries of rich maritime history.
... More
- 4 hours
- Free Cancellation
From
$72.85
Price varies by group size
Private Sightseeing Tours5-Hour Private Sightseeing Tour of the Provence from Marseille in Luxury Car
Experience the delights of storybook Provence with a half-day tour from Marseille in a luxury car. Your private tour is fully customisable, so you can create the perfect itinerary and enjoy the undivided attention of your guide. Perhaps drive along the Corniche coastal road from Marseille, visit the home of Paul Cezanne in Aix-en-Provence or hop off in beautiful Cassis for a boat cruise around the famous calanques (inlets). Alternatively, stay in Marseille and hit the shops of the Old Port or admire the views from Notre-Dame de la Garde.
... More
- 5 hours
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$696.64
per group
Mountain Bike ToursFat E-Bike Guided Tour in Marseille's Old Town
Cruise through Marseille’s Old Town on a fat e-bike. This electric bicycle with its distinctive wide tires allows you to cover distance with ease as you explore the city’s historic district. Visit major sights like the Pharo Palace, MuCEM Museum, and Cathedral, as well as lesser-known treasures in Le Panier. Enjoy breaks to take photos and chat with your local guide.
... More
- 2 hours
- Free Cancellation
From
$48.45
Mountain Bike ToursMarseille Shore Excursion: Private Electric Bike Tour
Experience the beauty and culture of France’s oldest city on a 4-hour electric bike tour! On this private Marseille shore excursion, accompany your local guide on a journey through the city’s colorful streets. Explore off-the-beaten-path areas, picturesque ports and main attractions like Palais du Pharo and Notre-Dame de la Garde, then cruise along the waterfront for postcard-perfect Mediterranean views. Maximize your sightseeing time in Marseille!
... More
- 4 hours
- Free Cancellation
From
$104.96
Price varies by group size
Bus ToursVisit Marseille 4H
We propose a visit of Marseille through the most emblematic places. Your driver will accompany you to each place. It will be easy to discover the city in the best way, in a comfortable and air-conditioned vehicle. Your tour is tailor-made: you will be able to take more time on certain places, or shorten the visit of certain monuments or places of the city. Your driver will adapt and make sure to offer you the best experience for your visit.
... More
- 3 to 4 hours
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$298.85
per group
Cultural ToursNotre Dame de la Garde, Panoramic Marseille
Meet us at the bus stop « Notre Dame de la Garde » (bus number 60) to start a great tour during which we’ll have the best views ever of Marseille, from the city’s most famous place, Notre Dame de la Garde. The guide will be waiting for you with a light blue umbrella to tell you everything about the oldest
city in France and most especially, the history of Marseille’s main monument!
... More
- 2 hours
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$14.37
Mountain Bike ToursFat E-Bike Guided Tour Along Marseille's Coast
Discover the coastal sights of Marseille without breaking a sweat on a 3- to 4-hour fat e-bike tour. Highlights along the seaside route include the Palais du Pharo, Plages du Prado, and the fishing village of Vallon des Auffes. Thanks to its electric motor and wide set tires, the e-bike is easy to ride. Trailers for small children are provided free of charge, which makes the tour perfect for all ages.
... More
- 3 hours
- Free Cancellation
From
$73.78
Walking ToursMarseille Self-Guided Audio Tour
Get to know Marseilles at your own speed with a downloadable audio walking tour. Tailor the tour to your interests and start at whichever point sits you best. The tour covers historic and modern parts of the city, taking you through the Old Port and the Panier District with comprehensive historical context, and then see the modern opera house and trendy Cours Julien, known for its bohemian feel and street art.
... More
- 1 to 3 hours
- Taking safety measures
From
$15.57
Mountain Bike ToursMarseille Shore Excursion: Private Electric Bike Tour to the Calanques
Get more out of your time in port with a full-day electric bike tour of the Mediterranean coast from Marseille. On this private shore excursion, pedal with ease to lovely ports and fishing villages like Madrague Montredon and Vallon des Auffes and through wild calanques-filled inlets. Along the way, stop to swim and play a traditional game of pétanque on the beach. End with spin through Marseille to visit attractions like Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica.
... More
- 7 hours
- Free Cancellation
From
$167.94
Price varies by group size
Nature and WildlifeFat E-Bike Excursion to Calanques National Park
Cruise along scenic coastline on a fat e-bike. Hop on your wide-tired electric bike and discover monuments like Pharo Palace, fishing village Vallon des Auffes, and the natural beauty of Calanques National Park. Visit a multitude of sights over the course of 6 hours, with plenty of time for photo breaks, a swim, and a delicious seafood lunch.
... More
- 6 hours
- Free Cancellation
From
$98.79
Mountain Bike ToursElectric Bike Tour to the Calanques from Marseille
Discover the remarkable beauty of France’s Mediterranean coast on a full-day electric bike tour! This unique outdoor excursion takes you to lovely ports and fishing villages like Madrague Montredon and Vallon des Auffes and through dramatic calanques-filled coves. Along the way, stop to swim and have lunch.Then head back to Marseille for a tour of great sites such as Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica.
... More
- 6 to 7 hours
- Free Cancellation
From
$93.85
Price varies by group size
Things to do near Marseille
- Things to do in Provence
- Things to do in Cassis
- Things to do in Marignane
- Things to do in Aix-en-Provence
- Things to do in Toulon
- Things to do in Arles
- Things to do in Avignon
- Things to do in Villeneuve-les-Avignon
- Things to do in Nîmes
- Things to do in Cannes
- Things to do in Nice
- Things to do in Turin
- Things to do in Lyon
- Things to do in French Riviera
- Things to do in Languedoc-Roussillon