Yacht Destination

Marseille Yacht Charter

Let’s get what must be said out of the way early. Marseille—that maligned, magnificent port city—is rarely included on a luxury yacht charter in the south of France, with the majority of charter yachts floating down the coast as far as St Tropez, before turning back to cruise back up the French Riviera to glittering Cannes and Monaco.

Port of Marseille at night with monument lit up on the hill
Entrance from sea into Marseille Port
Rocky cliff with waves breaking below, Chateau If Marseille
Ornate stone building with statues in Marseille

Experience the Renaissance of Marseille on Your French Riviera Yacht Charter

Let’s get what must be said out of the way early. Marseille—that maligned, magnificent port city—is rarely included on a luxury yacht charter in the south of France, with the majority of charter yachts floating down the coast as far as St Tropez, before turning back to cruise back up the French Riviera to glittering Cannes and Monaco.

Yet what are yacht charter guests missing by not venturing a little further down the Var coast to Marseille? A whole lot, as it happens. Marseille is located on one of the wildest, most magnificent stretches of coastline in the Mediterranean: a region of towering limestone cliffs and turquoise fjords, Caribbean-like islands, and ancient villages surrounded by rolling vineyards. With the appeal of pretty Cassis and Bandol, the astonishing Calanques National Park, and the exotic Islands of Gold off Hyères, the Marseille coast is simply unmissable.

The Immense Beauty of Marseille

Inland, the mighty Gorges du Verdon tears through the Provencal landscape, its vivid aquamarine river winding through cliffs 800m high, and the purple lavender carpets the fields of the Luberon in a breathtaking summer display. There’s no question that Marseille is surrounded by immense beauty to be explored on your yacht charter.

Girl looking out over the panoramic view of Marseille
Entrance from sea into Marseille Port

Yet what of Marseille itself as a yacht charter destination?

Marseille, long derided as gritty and decidedly unglamorous, is undergoing a cultural renaissance of grand proportions, with an explosion of dazzling modern architecture, boutique shopping neighbourhoods, and swanky Michelin star restaurants. Awarded European City of Culture in 2013 and European City of Sport in 2017, France’s second largest city Marseille is finally making its presence known on the luxury scene, with boutique hotels and high end spas popping up in newly gentrified areas.

Embrace the Difference of ‘Planet Mars’

Marseille is like nowhere else. Locals call it ‘Planet Mars’, and there’s certainly a dramatic difference to Marseille than glittering Monaco or St Tropez – and even from Nice, another large city sometimes accused of grittiness. Where Nice’s Italian heritage shines through, Marseille carries hints of North Africa to the south, its pale stone buildings washed out under a blue summer sky, and colourful, loud markets with stallholders from Morocco, Algiers, and Casablanca. There’s the famous southern French light, but whiter, brighter, as it falls across the white limestone and grand facades of this mighty city of the Var.

Things to see and do around Marseille

Culture

Marseille is the poster child for exciting urban renewal and well worth visiting on your yacht charter…

Cuisine

The 800 year old hospital on the hill has recently become the superb Hotel Intercontinental Marseille-Hotel…

Shopping Spa and Sports

High-end shoppers visiting Marseille will adore the upmarket boutiques of the Republique quarter and the…

History and Artists

Much of the renewal reveals what lovers of Marseille have always known: that this 2600 year old city…

Yachts to Charter in the West Mediterranean

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Book a Marseille Yacht Charter

For now, Marseille is caught between its metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly—a rising city for those who appreciate art and architecture, food and wine and history. To visit Marseille with an open heart is to experience the heady feeling of walking through an ancient city living through a vibrant, exciting renaissance.

Marseille is a sensational yacht charter destination, on a coastline of exquisite, awe-inspiring beauty. So what are yachts missing by leaving Marseille off their charter itineraries? Quite a lot, as it happens!

To check availability and book a charter, please get in touch with Bespoke Yacht Charter today.