Beyond Bouillabaisse: Diving into Marseille’s Multicultural Stew
Description
Though the capital of Provence and France’s 2nd-largest city, Marseille proudly grooves to its own Mediterranean beat – a mash-up of big-city grit and small-town sociability mixed with seagull squawks and scooter engines. Bookended by limestone fjords and garrigue hills, this working-class metropolis is profoundly shaped by its seaside location and its deep ties to the rest of the Mediterranean. The port has welcomed waves of goods, immigrants, and ideas since 600 B.C. Briny, boisterous, gritty and gorgeous, Marseille is a cultural crossroads in constant flux. The latest evolution was sparked in 2013, when the city reigned as Europe’s Capital of Culture. Now, France’s least-known city is finally on the map. Let us be your guide with this food tour in Marseille.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Set sail from the train station where we'll explore Marseille's migratory history with an Algerian delicacy.
We'll pop into Marseille's grandest gothic church then pop Provençal biscuits in our mouths at a classic café.
Stroll the city's most iconic boulevard and visit a colorful spice shop and market.
Wander the fragrant food stalls of a neighborhood known as the "belly of Marseille."
Learn the history behind this boat-filled harbor followed by an apéro, the city's quintessential quaff, in a former sailors' bar.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(216)
Our guide was very knowledgeable about the culture and history of Marseilles. We visited a fair amount of little hole in the wall type places that you might otherwise miss. We were treated to many small tastings and a larger lunch at a cool seafood place run by a former fisherman. We also visited some amazing food stores where I purchased some things I wouldn’t be able to find where I live. The guide even explained some of the graffiti murals on the walls which are everywhere. The whole tour took place in the heat of the day (95 degrees) and lasted about five hours, which we thought was a little too much.
Fantastic experience, made us love Marseille even more, and made us want to come back…soon!. All the food was incredible and eclectic. Our guide, Chloe, was fantastic: so knowledgeable and interesting and lovely! It was worth every penny and we would strongly recommend this tour as a way to get to know a city a little better.
Thank you for the wonderful review. We are so glad that exploring Marseille's eclectic culinary scene made you love the city even more. By joining us, you directly support the unsung heroes of the kitchen and help preserve the rich, traditional flavors of daily life. We look forward to sharing more stories and meals with you when you return.
Florence was a wonderful guide - patient, knowledgeable and super friendly. She accommodated the vegetarians in our group so well and helped us deal with the terrible heat! We went to some out of the way food places which told a different story of Marseille. She also gave us great local recommendations and had insight into Marseille history and culture. Would definitely recommend.
Thank you for the review and for taking the time to share your experience with us. We are thrilled that Florence could share a different side of Marseille's history and culture with you, taking you to out-of-the-way places that tell the city's true story. We deeply appreciate your support of these unsung local heroes and your help in preserving the rich culinary traditions of the community.
This was our fourth tour with Culinary Backstreets, and once again, it was absolutely amazing. Everything was perfect: the meeting point, the length of the tour, the size of the group, and the variety of food and venues (shops, restaurants, food trucks, cafés, bakeries, and a bar). We discovered local specialties as well as many delicious dishes from the city's immigrant communities. A special thanks to our guide, Coco, who was incredibly knowledgeable not only about the food but also about the history and the economic and social context of Marseille in general, and of the neighborhood we visited in particular. Coco was friendly, lively, and always eager to answer all our questions (and we had many!). She was also very generous with her time. As with our previous Culinary Backstreets tours, this one was excellent value for money and absolutely worth the price. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend Culinary Backstreets to anyone looking for an authentic food experience, and this Marseille tour is no exception. Merci beaucoup, Coco!
Thank you for the wonderful review and for joining us on your fourth walk. We are so glad that Coco could share the rich social history and diverse daily life of Marseille with you. Your continued support helps us champion these unsung culinary heroes and preserve the authentic traditions of the city's vibrant communities.
Severine was wonderful. She's very good with the history of Marseilles. My only comokaint would be that it was too hot for it to last so long.
This was our first Culinary Backstreets food tour and we loved it from the very beginning. We enjoyed getting to know the other participants too. Our guide, Chloé, was excellent. She knew so much about Marseille historically as well as food-wise. If you do this tour make sure you don't eat before it! Everything we ate was delicious, fresh and local. And do this tour at the beginning of your visit to Marseille!
Thank you for the review and for choosing to explore Marseille's vibrant food scene with us. We are thrilled that you enjoyed connecting with the city's rich history and the unsung heroes of its local kitchens. Your support helps us in preserving these vital culinary traditions and the family-run spots that make the city so special.
Outstanding small group experience, a great introduction to Marseille. Our guide, Coco, made it feel very personal as she shared her local knowledge and insights. The food and beverage tastes were all delicious and varied and gave me a broader perspective on what Marseille has to offer. I highly recommend!
Thank you for the review and for taking the time to share your experience with us. We are delighted that Coco could introduce you to the complex, everyday life of Marseille and its incredible unsung culinary heroes. Thank you for supporting these traditional family-run spots and helping us preserve the city's vibrant culinary traditions.
Our tour guide Coco was fabulous! She gave us more than just delicious and interesting food. She shared insights into the history of Marseille and the many diverse ethnic populations there. My family thought it was the highlight of our vacation in France..
Hello, and thank you so much for this wonderful review. We are thrilled to hear that your time exploring Marseille's diverse history and culinary traditions was a highlight of your vacation. Your participation helps us continue supporting the unsung heroes of the kitchen and preserving the vibrant daily life of the city.
This was an excellent tour which combined trying different cuisines with cultural information. Coco was extremely knowledgeable about the food and the cultures they came from. The pace was great - we had enough time to savor each sample while also covering a couple of different neighborhoods. I highly recommend it!
Thank you for the review and for sharing your experience exploring Marseille with us. We are truly grateful for your support of the city's unsung culinary heroes and the families working to preserve these meaningful cultural traditions. It is a joy to share the daily life of these neighborhoods, and we hope to walk the backstreets with you again.
Wow - Coco brought this fascinating city to life. The food and details about all the neighborhoods were so interesting and fun. Fabulous experience and so enjoyable. Coco was great
