Marseille with a Toddler: Family-Friendly Things to Do (From a Local Mom)
– TRAVEL TIPS –
If you're planning a trip to Marseille with little ones, let me save you the scrambling I did.
We landed in Marseille mid-way through a 5-country Europe trip with our 18-month-old, and I'll be honest — we were winging it. Pre-baby, that was our favorite way to travel. Show up, talk to locals, figure it out. It worked beautifully through Sweden. It worked significantly less beautifully once we added a feisty toddler to the equation.
What saved us in Marseille was a local mom. I'd stayed in touch with a friend I'd only ever known through Instagram who lived there in Marseille — with a little one of her own. She handed us a list of family-friendly spots and restaurants, and it completely changed the trip. Suddenly we weren't white-knuckling it through trendy cafes hoping our toddler wouldn't cause a scene. We had a plan.
And now I'm passing her recommendations along to you.
The Best Family-Friendly Things to Do in Marseille
Parc Borély — A huge, beautiful park with multiple play areas, open fields, and food nearby. Perfect for letting toddlers run.
Vieux Port (Old Port) — The heart of the city. Great marina views, fun shops, and very walkable with a stroller.
Le Petit Nice — A distinct yellow and white house along La Corniche with rocky swimming areas below the cliffs. Locals hang out here to swim and relax — very authentic Marseille.
Tuba Club — A scenic restaurant right on the rocks above the water. The food is reportedly incredible — make a reservation before you go.
Vallon des Auffes — One of the most picturesque spots in the city. Boats anchor here at sunset, restaurants line the waterfront, and it's a beautiful place for a slow dinner or an evening stroll.
Notre Dame de la Garde — The iconic church at the center of Marseille with 360-degree views of the entire city. Worth every step up.
Traveling with kids and want simple ideas for capturing these moments? I send free photo prompts to moms twice a month — no overwhelm, just a gentle nudge and ideas to capture moments with your little ones.
Palais Longchamps — Beautiful park with stunning architecture. Heads up: lots of steps, not stroller friendly.
La Plage Du Prophète — A sandy, baby-friendly beach. We took our daughter Indie here and can personally confirm: toddler approved.
Les Calanques — Dramatic waterside cliffs perfect for hiking and walking. Try the Sormiou entrance point.
Otto — An intimate, true French dining experience. Tiny space, so make a reservation. Worth it.
Maison Empereur — One of the oldest shops in Marseille, stocked with beautiful French home basics — cookware, Marseille soap, cleaning supplies, and an upper level full of old-fashioned toys kids love. It sits 1-2 blocks from the main shopping area so plan to make an afternoon of it.
Oui Mums — A children's boutique with a small contained play area and a little café where you can build your own salad during lunch hours while the kids play. A perfect midday reset when everyone needs a break from the heat.
A huge thank you to Maddie Broderick Litaise for sharing these gems with us. We only made it through half the list — which just means we have a very good reason to go back.
