Marseille

The Calanques National Park, stretching along the coast south of Marseille, is one of France's most dramatic natural landscapes — a series of deep, narrow inlets carved into white limestone cliffs, their waters an almost impossible shade of turquoise. The most popular route is the hike from Luminy to Calanque de Sugiton, a moderately challenging trail that rewards with jaw-dropping views before descending to a tiny pebble beach perfect for swimming. For those preferring water access, kayak tours depart from Cassis and glide between towering cliff faces into hidden coves inaccessible by foot. Within the city, the Vieux-Port remains the beating heart of Marseille, its quayside bustling with fishmongers selling the morning catch and restaurants serving bouillabaisse — the iconic saffron-scented fish stew that originated here. Above it all, Notre-Dame de la Garde watches over the city from its hilltop perch, its golden Madonna statue visible from everywhere and offering the best panoramic views of the sprawling Mediterranean port below.

Marseille's character is shaped by waves of immigration that have made it France's most cosmopolitan city. The Le Panier quarter, the city's oldest neighborhood, cascades down a hillside in a maze of colorful buildings, street art, artisan shops, and cafés where you can sit for hours watching life unfold. Nearby, the stunning MuCEM (Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations) is a contemporary architectural masterpiece connected to the historic Fort Saint-Jean by a dramatic walkway. Marseille's food reflects its diversity: North African couscous restaurants sit alongside Provençal bistros, Armenian bakeries, and Vietnamese pho joints. The market at Noailles, dubbed 'the belly of Marseille,' overflows with spices, olives, and produce from around the Mediterranean. For bouillabaisse done right, head to Chez Fonfon at Vallon des Auffes, a tiny fishing harbor hidden between the cliffs, where the stew is prepared with strict traditional protocols.