marseille

The Church of Saint Michael doesn’t have as much history as some of the other churches in Marseille, but it is still a very popular place for visitors seeking service or just beautiful architecture. The church was built in traditional neo-Gothic style the interior features an apse or semi-dome. The arch has beautiful stained glass windows and holds a grand organ underneath. Additionally, there is a tomb underneath the church which actually houses the remains of a former priest. Eglise Saint-Michel Archange holds mass everyday and is open for additional occasions such as weddings, funerals and baptisms.
 

A cowboys and Indians themed family amusement park, OK Corral sits in a large pine forest between Marseille, Aix en Provence and Toulon. Opened in 1966 OK Corral is the oldest and one of the most popular theme parks in Provence, receiving some 400000 visitors per year. Its rides include a log flume, Grand Canyon roller coaster, big wheel, Indian canoes and pirate boats. Introduced in 2014 Alligator Island a ride on Jet Skis won a European Star Award for best family attraction and is now one of the most popular rides. There are gentler rides for very young children and the usual array of dodgems, slides, big wheels and so on as well as four or five different live Wild West shows throughout the day. Bring swimming costumes in order to enjoy the rides. OK Corral is set in a 40 hctrs pine forest and the amusement park itself occupies less than half that area, so there is plenty of green space for kids to run around.
 

Eglise Saint-Vincent-de-Paul, also known as Eglise des Reformes is a Roman Catholic Church that takes the place of a demolished chapel and convent of reformed Augustinians. It took roughly thirty years to build, but was finished in 1886. The architectural style is neo gothic, and features two 70 ft towers flanking the entrance. The interior includes high ceilings, pipe organs, numerous stained glass windows, a high alter and an impressive pulpit all of these features were designed by different sculptors, artists and architects. The church holds mass each morning and is open for many hours throughout the day for individual public worship and prayer.
 

Marseille’s southern and eastern suburbs brush up against an area of exceptional natural beauty. The Calanques are craggy white limestone cliffs and creeks reaching gargantuan heights and descending sharply to the sea. Tourists can experience these rocky wonders by land or sea. There are mini cruises departing from the Old Port, as well as guided kayaking adventures. The area has a very specific eco system with no soil and the plants live in the limestone and have been a protected area since 2012 when the entire 20 miles stretch of Calanques was designated a national park. The Calanques National Park lying outside of Marseille is a must see natural wonder.
 

A symbol of the city's cultural life, Orange Velodrome is one of the most iconic monuments in the region. The venue for the Olympique de Marseille soccer team it has also hosted the 1998 soccer World Cup, the 2007 rugby World Cup and many other sporting events. Until recently, it was the largest soccer stadium in France, seating more than 60000 spectators. In preparation for a 2016 championship series renovations limited the structure to 42000 people. After renovation more than 67000 can enjoy sports here.
 

Located on the Old Port of Marseille, the Eglise Saint-Ferreol les Augustins is one of the most discreet of the city. It can only be visited at the hour of the offices but its architecture more like that of an administrative building is worth the detour. In addition, tourists cannot avoid it if they walk along the harbour to Mucem. From its forecourt, one can obtain a very beautiful viewpoint on the Vieux Port and mainly on the Ferris wheel. Completely renovated recently the Church is a beautiful monument built in the 16th century as it was consecrated in 1542 and completed in 1588 on the site of the former Templar commandery, to which was added a bell tower in the Italian style at 18th century. Finally, the neo baroque facade is much more recent since it dates only from the 19th century.