Marseille is a second city after Paris that comes to mind when you think of France. The largest port in the country, high population, unique relief with sea and mountains, cascading districts, rocky bays — all this is interesting, unique and diverse.
We have prepared for you a dog-friendly walking route that will allow you to get to know the city and choose the most attractive places for rest.
The best dog-friendly routes in Marseille
We recommend that you start your acquaintance with Marseille with Palais Longchamp. There are many beautiful buildings in the city, but the palace is a real architectural masterpiece. The adjacent territory is decorated with a multi-tiered fountain construction. The fountain is crowned by a fine sculptural composition consisting of three female figures on a sickle chariot. If you go a little further, you will see the triumphal arch, from which two colonnades diverge in opposite directions. The left colonnade leads to the Natural History Museum, and the right — to the Art Museum.
Behind the main building is the Zoological Garden, where animals are no longer kept, and the observatory. If you wish, you can even look into the telescope here.
Staying on the highest level of beauty, let's now turn to the most popular sight of Marseille - Notre-Dame de la Garde. This church is located on a hill, so it is visible from almost every point in Marseille. The beautiful building architecture fascinates everyone who comes here. The most popular among tourists is the 11 meter high gilded figure of the Virgin Mary with Child, which stands on the top of the bell tower.
Marseille Cathedral will definitely attract your attention. This ancient building stands out for its unique exterior design: the walls are adorned with lines of white and green marble, creating a striped effect that is very unusual for religious buildings. The cathedral also impresses with its size: it is about 142 meters long and the height of each tower and vault is comparable to an 18-story building.
After visiting the cathedral, walk your dog into the old town. This authentic district of Marseille is a reminder that this city is more than two thousand years old. Although almost no architectural buildings from this period have survived here, you can feel this ancient spirit on every street and square. You can feel this particularly strongly when you get close to the old welfare house La Vieille Charité. This baroque building was built in the 17th century. This is actually a chapel standing in the center of four rows of arcades. This building now houses the Marseilles Science and Culture Center, the Archaeological Museum and the Art Museum of Africa, Oceania and the Tribal Peoples of the Americas.
A good example of more modern design is the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations. It is said that the museum building is made of "stone, water and wind". The museum has a cube shape and is surrounded by reinforced concrete latticework. The museum connects to two other buildings with long pedestrian bridges. On the upper part there is a restaurant from where a fantastic panoramic view of Marseille opens.
After that, go to the Old Port with your four-legged friend. From this place the history of the city began. Despite its antiquity, the port remains a symbol of Marseille and one of the largest seaports in the Mediterranean. So if you haven't been here it means you haven't seen Marseille.
Any time is suitable for a walk here. In the morning you can watch how fishing boats "wake up" and go to sea after a catch, during the day you can go on scenic boat trips from here and in the evening enjoy the sunset.
After a stroll through noisy streets, a rest in nature is real fun. For that, stop by Park Borély. Originally there was a manor of an economist and ship owner, and now there is a public park in a mixed style between English and botanical garden, filled with sculptures, fountains, flower tunnels and other elements of landscape design. If you walk your dog to the center of the park, you can visit the 18th-century castle that belonged to the legendary economist Louis-Joseph Borély.
And after an active day in the hot city, it's time to rest in a well-ventilated hotel room. Here you will find the best dog-friendly hotels in Marseille.
Five dog-friendly hotels in Marseille
Apart-hotel Residhome Marseille Saint-Charles will please guests who want to cook great food from local products themselves. Each room has its own kitchen with crockery, refrigerator and dishwasher. A good air conditioner will save you from the heat, and the TV and high-speed Wi-Fi will make your rest interesting and diverse.
The adjacent square with the triumphal arch, Porte d'Aix, is ideal for dog walks. The Old Port is a twelve-minute walk away.
Animals with a maximum weight of 4 kg (1 animal per room) are welcome in this hotel. The accommodation of an animal costs 4 EURO/night.
Located in the heart of Marseille, this elegant dog-friendly hotel offers cozy rooms that complement the general Provencal atmosphere: Empire style furniture, air conditioning and TV, private bathroom, large mirror. All the facilities in the hotel ensure comfort during your stay.
For a morning walk with your dog, head towards the Place du Général de Gaulle and in the evening you can watch the Old Port and the sea together from the cozy hotel terrace.
Dog accommodation costs EUR 20 per night plus a deposit of EUR 20 for each night of stay. Food and water bowls are available upon request.
If you like modern interiors, then the hotel nhow Marseille at Palm Beach is a right choice for you. This dog-friendly hotel is close to city attractions and the seafront. Just a six-minute walk and you're already on the beach.
The rooms are decorated in a modern style with a sea theme. The beautiful panorama of the Mediterranean Sea opens up from several rooms. Here you will find everything you need for a good rest — air conditioning, TV, private bathroom and necessary toiletries. In the morning you can enjoy your breakfast on the terrace with a romantic view of the bay.
In the hotel you have at your disposal the fitness center, hammam and hydromassage bath. The Balnéaire du Prado park is ideal for dog walks.
A maximum of 2 pets up to 25 kg per pet can be accommodated in one room. The whole stay of a pet costs 35 EURO.
The luxurious dog-friendly Golden Tulip Villa Massalia offers its guests suites, a spa center, an open pool and a terrace overlooking the sea. In a few minutes you can reach the beach. Also in the immediate vicinity you will find the racecourse and the Park Borély, where you can walk your dog.
The rooms have TV, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, private bathroom with necessary toiletries. You can taste Mediterranean cuisine at the local restaurant.
Accommodation for a dog costs 12 EURO per night.
If you dream of an exquisite holiday, then you must choose the 5-star hotel Sofitel Marseille Vieux-Port.
Three terraces overlooking the Old Port of Marseille, free use of the gym, spa center and sauna, elegant rooms with minibars, Mediterranean specialties with aged wines and sparkling wine — that's not the full list of services in this hotel. For fans of total comfort, some bathrooms are equipped with a TV - so you can relax in the foam bath, have a glass of wine and enjoy French cinema.
For dog walks, there is the Émile Duclaux park.
Accommodation of a pet costs 25 EURO per night.
Marseille is a city with two thousand years of history, but which can offer holidays and downtime in a modern style. Long walks, local architecture, masterpieces of landscape design, panoramic views and extremely friendly locals will not leave you indifferent and tell a lot of new things about French culture.
Welcome to Marseille with your dog - for relaxation, new impressions and a unique Mediterranean atmosphere!
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