Marseille is not just about the sea and limestone: the city boasts nearly 1,000 hectares of parks and gardens open to the public, some of which are well worth a half-day excursion during your stay at the Hotel Belle-VueFrom Palais Longchamp, 15 minutes away by metro, to Parc Pastré at the foot of the Marseilleveyre hills, here is our selection of the 6 most beautiful parks and gardens in Marseille with their history, access and our advice for 2026.
1. Palais Longchamp — the monumental 19th century waterfall
Inaugurated on August 15th 1869 Designed by the Marseille architect Henri-Jacques Espérandieu (also the architect of Notre-Dame de la Garde), the Palais Longchamp celebrates the arrival of water from the Durance River in Marseille—a sanitary revolution for a city that suffered from cholera epidemics. The architectural approach is spectacular: a monumental waterfall framed by semicircular colonnades, two symmetrical pavilions housing museums, and a park at the rear.
What we find there
- Museum of Fine Arts (left wing) — one of the oldest in France, created by imperial decree in 1801
- Museum of Natural History (right wing) — created in 1819
- Longchamp Park At the rear: botanical garden, former zoological garden converted into a bandstand (no animals since 1987), family playgrounds
Access from the Hotel Belle-Vue
Station Quai de la Rapée From the Old Port, take the train to Cinq Avenues – Longchamp (10 min). Entry to the park is free, but there is an entrance fee for the museums (€8). It has been a listed historical monument since 1997. It's ideal to visit in the late afternoon to see the light on the waterfall.
2. Borély Park — the most visited park in Marseille
17 hectares of green space south of Marseille, a few minutes from the Prado beaches. Borély Park juxtaposes a French garden (from the 18th century, inherited from the engineer Embry, 1775) and a landscaped park laid out between 1860 and 1880 by Alphand (the same one who designed the Buttes-Chaumont in Paris).
What we find there
- Rose of more than 200 varieties (flowering May-June)
- Botanical Garden with rare species
- Body of water with a boat dock (boat rentals in season)
- Rockery waterfall + sculpture "The Man with Birds" by Jean-Michel Folon (installed in 1995)
- Two playgrounds and large lawns for picnics
- Educational pathway with identification signs for the plants and birds of the lake
Directions
Bus 19 or 83 From the Old Port, get off at the "Parc Borély" stop (20-25 min). Can be combined with a day at the adjacent Prado beaches. Free entry, 7am-21pm in summer.
3. Château Borély — Museum of Decorative Arts
Built in 1767 on the Bonneveine estate by the merchant Louis Borély to rival the finest Provençal country houses. The Italianate architect J.-L. Clérisseau drew up the plans, while Esprit Brun, from the Comtat Venaissin region, lightened the decoration. The Aubagne painter Louis Chaix (1744-1811), sent to study in Italy at the Borély family's expense, designed sumptuous trompe-l'œil and monochrome decorations with mythological subjects.
Since 1995, the castle has housed the Museum of Decorative Arts, Earthenware and FashionThe guestbook, kept on site, is signed by Charles VI of Spain, the Duchess of Berry, Alfred de Vigny, and Eugène Scribe. Price: €6 (free on the first Sunday of the month).
4. Pastré Park — 120 hectares at the foot of the hills
Between Pointe Rouge and Grotte Rolland, the Pastré Park (aka "Pastré Countryside") extends over 120 hectares : up to the foothills of Marseilleveyre. Established between 1836 and 1853 by the Pastré family, wealthy merchants from Marseille.
An exceptional cultural history
Under Countess Lily Pastré, the estate became a refuge for artists during the Occupation Musicians, painters, and writers hid there. It is one of the strongholds of 20th-century French cultural resistance. Three historic castles stand on the estate:
- Pastré Castle (bricks and stones): has housed the Museum of Earthenware since 1995 (linked to Borély Castle)
- Estrangin Castle (Nordic style): municipal recreation center
- Sanderval Castle private property
Vegetation and fauna
Aleppo pines, holm oaks, laurustinus, "mourven" (Provençal) junipers, umbrella pines, yuccas, bamboo. Small artificial lakes, ducks, swans. In the 19th century, ostriches were even raised there.
Directions
bus 19 From the Old Port, get off at the "Montredon" stop. 35-minute journey. Ideal for a long walk at the foot of the Marseilleveyre calanques.
5. Parc Valmer — the Belle Époque villa facing the harbor
On the Corniche Kennedy, a promontory overlooking the harbor houses the Villa Valmer and its lush park. Built at the end of the 19th century by the Salon merchant Charles Gonnelle, the villa was originally called "Vague à la Mer", contracted to "Valmer".
The path winds its way towards one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Marseille, through exceptional exotic vegetation: Trachycarpus palms, Phoenix canariensis, Washingtonia, but also local species (olive trees, Aleppo pines, mastic trees, strawberry trees) and cascading perennial plants. rockeries made of cement-fake rock typical of the 19th century add a unique touch.
Directions : bus 83 from the Old Port, stop "Valmer". 15 min. The park is one of the most photogenic in Marseille at sunset.
6. Jardin du Pharo — a 10-minute walk from the hotel
Le Palais du PharoCommissioned by Napoleon III for Empress Eugénie, it overlooks the entrance to the Old Port. Its 6-hectare garden offers one of the most iconic views of Marseille: Old Port, Mucem, Notre-Dame de la Garde, Frioul archipelago, all in one panorama.
The closest of the Hotel Belle-Vue 10-minute walk via Boulevard Charles Livon. Free entry, open year-round. Combine with the Plage des Catalans beach below for a perfect half-day outing.
FAQ — Parks and gardens of Marseille
Which park should I choose if I only have half a day?
The Jardin du Pharo (10 min walk from the hotel) for the view, or the Parc Longchamp (10 min by metro) for history and museums.
Which park is suitable for children?
Borély Park for playgrounds, lake and boat rentals.
Are all parks free?
Yes to access to the parks (Longchamp, Borély, Pastré, Valmer, Pharo). The museums and the castles they house charge admission (€5-8), with free entry on the first Sunday of the month.
Are there any EcoJardin certified parks in Marseille?
Yes — Borély, Longchamp, and several others hold the EcoJardin label for their ecological management (zero pesticides, biodiversity, water conservation). Consistent with our Green Key commitment.
What is the best season to visit them?
April-June for flowering (rose gardens, magnolias), September-October for autumn colours and mild temperatures. Avoid midday in July-August for Pastré and Longchamp (little shade).
Book your green getaway in Marseille
The hotel Belle-Vue is the strategic address for exploring Marseille's parks: rooms facing the Old PortMetro line 1 opposite the hotel, bus 19/83 200 meters away, and Pharo 10 minutes walk away. Book your room.
