Marseille Photographers, Videographers & Photo Tours

The Best Time of Year to Visit Marseille, France

If Berlin does not really represent Germany, and New York City is not really American, then we can also agree that Marseille is not really like the rest of France. As soon as your train pulls into the main station in Marseille and you get a fine breath of that fresh Mediterranean air, you’ll know exactly what we mean.

Marseille is one of the oldest cities in Europe and is exceptionally rich when it comes to cuisine, culture, and beauty. This port city has an abundance of hip bars, fine restaurants, street food delights, and incredible historical sites. If you’re debating what time of year you should plan your trip to Marseille, here is a comprehensive list of what to expect during each of Marseille’s exquisite seasons. Then you can decide when and where is the most suitable moment to hire a photographer from Marseille, France to capture you most photogenic moments!

Visiting Marseille in Autumn

Like in most Mediterranean cities, autumn is one of the finest seasons to visit Marseille. While the temperatures may still feel like summer the crowds on the beach will let you know it is certainly Autumn.

If you’re looking for exclusively unique things to do in Marseille in autumn, then check out Semptembre en Mer, which is a full month of Marine-themed activities, where you can feast on delicious seafood and take full-day boat adventures along the sea. Many affordable photographers in Marseille will be available at this time to capture your day in the sun celebrating traditional customs with the locals in September.

Around mid-September, you can catch Fête du Vent, where the city celebrates the incoming wind! What does that mean exactly? Well, head to the beach and find out! You can catch an international kite festival, and if you’re traveling with your children, there are workshops for building your very own kite! Bring along a family photographer to photograph your day in the sun on the beach surrounded by magnificent colors flying in the sky! 

Then, of course, you will have to take a sunset stroll along the Old Port, where you can find an old-fashioned bar to sip on Pastis as you observe the people strolling along the port and the boats rocking in the warmth of the sunset. The Old Port also makes for a great photoshoot location, if you want to include the charming quay as a memorable icon during your Marseille trip.

Visiting Marseille in Winter

Marseille in winter is a great escape for those coming from far north or east, who would like to escape harsh winters. With the fantastic Christmas Markets found around Marseille, you truly get the best of both worlds. Here you can drink mulled wine while the temperatures are chilled to the perfect sweater degrees and shop for local gifts for your friends at home.

For more shopping, head over to Les Docks where you can find indoor restaurants and unique boutiques inside a modern industrial building. In the evenings you can still enjoy outdoor dining and drinking in Vieux Port in your warm clothing under heated lamps. 

During the daylight hours visit MuCEM and Musée d’Histoire de Marseille to grasp a deeper understanding of the city. Then in the evening treat yourself to Bouillabaisse, fresh seafood to warm your belly. You can’t skip out on ordering regional wine with your meal unless, of course, it’s a pastis evening.

Another great photography point in Marseille, while squeezing in some cultural insight, is the Cathédrale de la Major with its magnificent domes overlooking the sea. This is certainly one location to hire a private photographer to capture your best moments in Marseille. Another photogenic location is the suburb, L’Estaque, which inspired many great painters including, Cézanne. Your professional photographer can also send you your best photos directly to your Instagram account, so everyone back at home can get a taste of the magic.

Visiting Marseille in Spring

In late spring you absolutely must take a Calanques boat ride, which is between Marseille and Cassis. This is the perfect spot to hire a proposal photographer during your romantic getaway to Marseille. There are so many breathtaking points in the Calanques, like the cove at Calanque d’En Vau, or simply go for a hiking day trip, or an organized kayaking adventure with these magnificent rocks in the background. 

If you arrive in Marseille during late spring it will certainly be warm enough to head out to the beaches. If you’re interested in actually finding your way into the water, then head to the Prado seaside park or the beaches of Corbière in the north. The beaches are one of the best locations in Marseille for hiring a personal photographer. You will most certainly come out with an abundance of fantastic portraits and photographs while you’re busy sipping pastis and soaking up the sun! Then take a long stroll down La Corniche, where you can look out onto the towers of the Château d’If in the bay. During sunset hours you can hire an engagement photographer who can photograph your romantic evening along the sea. 

If you want to walk down some of Marseille’s most charming streets, then head over to Le Panier neighborhood, which is Marseille’s Old Town. Some of Marseille’s best photographers often choose this location for a magnificent photo shoot. Here you can experience Marseille’s multicultural makeup, delicious croissants, and local ethnic food.

Visiting Marseille in Summer

What’s a city in the summer without its summer festivals? In Marseille, in the summer you can spend your evenings dancing in La Rue du Tango Festival, and if you don’t quite know how to move to Tango, there are plenty of classes offered during this period to boost your confidence on the dance floor!

Then, of course, there is the Festival of Marseille, which is another dance festival, this time more international, with plenty of events throughout the city to check out. There is also the Festival des Cultures du Monde and the Festival du Jazz des 5 Continents, which means there won’t be a shortage of things to do in Marseille. 

After visiting the clear blue beaches of Marseille, spend an early evening walking along Boulevard Longchamp, leading up to Palais Longchamp, the park and many other worthy attractions. You also can’t skip out on visiting the Notre Dame de la Garde, which is one of Marseille’s most famous landmarks. Here you will have a view out onto both the sea and city. In summer, we recommend checking out this church in the early morning or during magnificent sunset hours where the temperatures are cooler.

And of course, plan a complete day around Parc national des Calanques. You can either take a small boat to enjoy the summer breeze pleasantly blowing off the Mediterranean coast, or rent a bike with your partner and spend the day exploring the grounds.