Marseille is often described as rough-edged, buzzing with traffic, fishermen’s shouts, the aroma of bouillabaisse, and the salty breeze of the Mediterranean. Yet, what many first-time visitors overlook is just how green the city can be. I’ve learned that Marseille is not only about its Vieux-Port or Calanques—it’s also about the places where you can sit under a plane tree, watch children play football, or sip a coffee while locals walk their dogs.
This blog is my personal diary of Marseille’s green escapes, the ones that have stayed with me and the ones I recommend to travelers of every style. Some I’ve personally spent lazy afternoons in; others I’ve researched, scouted, and heard glowing reviews about from locals and fellow travelers. Whether you’re landing straight from the airport or strolling over from Saint-Charles train station, these parks and gardens offer something unique: a slower rhythm, where Marseille breathes and invites you to do the same.
🌳 1. Parc Borély – My Favorite Green Refuge
📍 Location: Avenue du Parc Borély, 13008 Marseille
🚇 Getting there: From Marseille Provence Airport, take shuttle bus to Saint-Charles train station, then metro Line 2 (Rond-Point du Prado stop), then bus 19 to Borély. From Saint-Charles station, it’s 30 minutes by metro + bus.
💶 Entry: Free
🕘 Opening Hours: 6am – 9pm (summer); closes earlier in winter
I’ll start with my favorite: Parc Borély. The first time I visited, I had just finished a long morning exploring the Prado beaches. I was sun-tired, sticky with salt, and craving shade. A local friend said, “Go to Borély—it’s where we breathe.” She wasn’t wrong.
Walking in, I felt like I had stepped into a storybook garden. There were manicured lawns, a serene lake where ducks drifted lazily, and families picnicking under giant cedar trees. Cyclists pedaled gently along the pathways, and the air smelled faintly of pine needles and grass.
My Afternoon Experience
I rented a small rowboat on the lake (€5 for 30 minutes) and paddled slowly, watching children feed ducks and couples whispering on benches. Later, I stretched out on the grass near the rose garden, where hundreds of blooms added color to the air. By the time I left, my stress had melted into the earth.
Services & Facilities
• Cafés and kiosks selling ice cream, sandwiches, and coffee
• Boat rental on the central lake
• Public restrooms (fairly clean but can get crowded on weekends)
• Bike paths for cycling or rollerblading
• Playgrounds for kids
Pros & Cons
✔️ Free entry
✔️ Close to Prado beach—great combo for a day
✔️ Mix of manicured gardens and natural space
❌ Very crowded on weekends, especially sunny Sundays
❌ Few shaded benches—bring a picnic blanket if you want comfort
Recommended Activities
• Rent a rowboat (romantic for couples, fun for kids)
• Explore the Botanical Garden (Jardin Botanique Borély, small fee €3)
• Visit the Château Borély Museum inside the park (decorative arts collection, ticket €6)
Personal Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)
For me, Borély is Marseille’s crown jewel when it comes to city parks. It combines leisure, history, and beauty.
🌿 2. Jardin de la Colline Puget – Marseille’s Oldest Garden
📍 Location: 74 Boulevard Tellene, 13007 Marseille
🚇 Getting there: From Saint-Charles station, take metro Line 1 to Vieux-Port, then a 15-minute walk uphill. From airport, shuttle + metro ~50 minutes.
💶 Entry: Free
🕘 Opening Hours: 8am – 7pm (winter), until 9pm in summer
I still remember the climb up to Jardin de la Colline Puget, Marseille’s oldest public garden (opened in 1801). It’s not the largest, but the view at the top… oh, the view!
The garden is built on a hill, with terraces and winding staircases shaded by pines. As I climbed, I passed joggers, mothers pushing strollers, and older locals gossiping on benches. When I reached the top, I stood speechless: the entire Vieux-Port stretched out beneath me, with Notre-Dame de la Garde rising majestically on the opposite hill.
My Afternoon Experience
I bought a baguette sandwich at a nearby boulangerie and ate it at the top terrace, legs dangling over the stone wall. The seagulls cried, the sun warmed my back, and I thought: This is Marseille, framed perfectly.
Services & Facilities
• Benches and shaded terraces
• Drinking fountains (not always working—bring water)
• Paths for jogging and walking
Pros & Cons
✔️ Unmatched panoramic view over the city
✔️ Historical charm—oldest garden in Marseille
✔️ Peaceful compared to larger parks
❌ Steep climb—not ideal for mobility issues
❌ Limited services (no café, no restrooms)
Recommended Activities
• Photography at sunset—the light over Vieux-Port is magical
• Quick picnic with local snacks
• Use as a rest stop while exploring Le Panier district
Personal Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
This isn’t a park where you’ll spend hours, but for an afternoon pause with unforgettable views, it’s priceless.
🌸 3. Parc Longchamp – A Blend of Culture and Green
📍 Location: Boulevard Jardins du Palais Longchamp, 13004 Marseille
🚇 Getting there: From Saint-Charles station, take tram T2 or T3 to Cinq Avenues Longchamp (10 minutes). From airport, shuttle to station + tram (~45 minutes).
💶 Entry: Free (garden); museums inside require ticket (€5–€6)
🕘 Opening Hours: 7am – 8pm summer, until 6pm winter
When I first walked up to Parc Longchamp, I almost forgot it was a park. The monumental fountain, cascading with water and flanked by statues, looks like something from Rome or Vienna. Behind it, two wings house the Musée des Beaux-Arts and the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle. It’s both cultural and green.
My Afternoon Experience
I arrived early afternoon, bought an ice cream from a vendor, and strolled through the shaded lanes lined with century-old trees. I ended up sitting by the fountain for nearly an hour, watching children climb the steps and couples take wedding photos.
Later, I wandered into the zoological garden ruins—empty cages now overtaken by plants. It felt eerie and poetic, as if nature was reclaiming its space.
Services & Facilities
• Ice cream and snack vendors
• Public toilets
• Museums on-site (art and natural history)
• Playgrounds and lawns for kids
Pros & Cons
✔️ Combination of culture + relaxation
✔️ Iconic fountain and architecture
✔️ Central and easy to access
❌ Can feel too touristy, especially around the fountain
❌ Fewer quiet spots if you want solitude
Recommended Activities
• Visit the Beaux-Arts Museum (ticket €6, free first Sunday)
• Stroll the zoological ruins—it’s strangely beautiful
• Bring a sketchbook—the architecture inspires creativity
Personal Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
If you want both green space and cultural immersion, Longchamp is ideal.
Parks and Gardens I Recommend (But Haven’t Yet Explored Fully)
🌴 4. Parc Pastré
📍 Location: Avenue de Montredon, 13008 Marseille
🚇 Getting there: Bus 19 from Rond-Point du Prado
💶 Entry: Free
Known as “Parc de la Campagne Pastré,” this is a vast estate stretching toward the Calanques. Locals call it the gateway between city and wild nature. I haven’t personally spent an afternoon here yet, but fellow travelers rave about its hiking trails, children’s pony rides, and peaceful ponds.
Why I Recommend: Perfect if you’re combining a city day with a Calanques adventure. Great for families.
🌺 5. Jardin de Corbière
📍 Location: L’Estaque, 13016 Marseille
🚇 Getting there: Bus 35 from Joliette
💶 Entry: Free
This seaside garden in L’Estaque district offers pine forests, lawns, and views of the Mediterranean. Artists like Cézanne painted nearby, and locals say it’s a fantastic spot for a sunset picnic.
Why I Recommend: Combines sea + greenery, less crowded than central parks.
🌲 6. Parc du 26e Centenaire
📍 Location: 12 Rue Guy de Combaud, 13010 Marseille
🚇 Getting there: Metro Line 2, Périer stop
💶 Entry: Free
Created in 2001, this park celebrates Marseille’s 2,600-year anniversary. It’s divided into themed gardens: Japanese, Oriental, African, and Provençal. Families love the playgrounds and open lawns.
Why I Recommend: A modern park with international flair, symbolizing Marseille’s multicultural identity.
Booking Tips & Platforms
Most parks in Marseille are free entry—but here are some planning tips:
• Guided Tours: Websites like GetYourGuide or Viator sometimes offer walking tours that include Parc Borély or Parc Longchamp.
• City Pass: If you plan on visiting museums inside the parks (e.g., Château Borély or Longchamp museums), the Marseille City Pass saves money.
• Transport: Use RTM (Régie des Transports Métropolitains) app to check buses and metro schedules—it’s accurate and essential for planning your route to parks further out.
My Green Marseille
Every time I return to Marseille, I’m struck by how a city so bustling, so alive with noise and salt and grit, can also feel so peaceful when you know where to go.
• Parc Borély gave me serenity by the lake and roses.
• Jardin de la Colline Puget gave me a postcard-perfect view of the Vieux-Port.
• Parc Longchamp gave me culture and fountains in one sweep.
• And the recommended parks—Pastré, Corbière, 26e Centenaire—remind me there are always new corners of green waiting for me to explore next time.
These are not just “parks.” They are breathing spaces, where Marseille drops its tough exterior and shows you its tender, quiet side. If the Calanques are Marseille’s wild heart, then these gardens are its gentle soul.
And as I sat on the grass at Borély one late afternoon, watching the sun slip behind the castle, I realized something simple but profound: sometimes the best way to know a city is not through its monuments, but through its green silence.