LOOKING FOR A DMC EXCURSION PROVIDER?

We are a local French DMC tour agency specializing in ways to allow travelers to experience The Real France. With the growing demand from cruise lines arriving into the port of Marseille, we can offer a variety of shore excursions from Marseille port to local sights, towns and villages. This page includes some day trip examples but we specialize in adapting to your needs and creating tailor made tours.

• Local French DMC incoming tour agency
  
  
• Adaptable to include any customized must-see options
  
  
• All shore excursions include both a driver & an expert guide
  
  
• Headsets can be arranged for large groups
  
  
• Trips are designed to give maximum quality impact over limited time
  
  
• Only the best drivers and tour guides used, fine-tuned from feedback received
  
  

Agency & Cruise line partners: There will be no branding from The Real France present on vehicles or staff during visits. Contact us if you'd like your branding worn or promoted as the service provider.

For large volume needs, multiple coaches can be organized for all our tours. Please base pricing on 49 pax per coach rates.

Adjustments can be made if needed to make tours cheaper. For example, having the guide meet at the destination rather than from the cruise terminal or making trips shorter by cutting elements out.

Other possibilities not mentioned on this page for shore excursions from Marseille include: Montpellier, Nimes, Avignon, Baux de Provence, Monte Carlo, Eze and Nice. For any of these or other DMC requests, please get in touch.

OPTIONAL INCLUSION OF MARSEILLE ITSELF IN ALL OUR TOURS (OLD PORT & CENTER)

All our shore excursions from Marseille can include a guided visit and/or free time in the center of Marseille and old port area. This could be included at the start or end of a full day excursion as a panoramic whistle stop tour (guiding done whilst staying in the coach). Otherwise, if a detailed walking tour in the city and old port area was wanted (with possibly some free time), then our half day Marseille tour should be taken (see bottom of page).

FULL DAY TOUR FROM MARSEILLE PORT TO CANNES THEN ONWARD TO GRASSE, THE WORLD CAPITAL OF PERFUME

This shore excursion combines a beautiful drive through Provence from the port of Marseille to Cannes, the famous destination known for its film festival and magnet for the rich and famous. Our guide will lead the group on a walking tour which will include the palm tree lined “croisette” waterfront (where all those red carpet images come from during the festival) as well as the old town to learn about the history of the city.

We then give everyone some free time for shopping and lunch (we can arrange for the meal to be included if preferred). After lunch it’s onward to Grasse, the home of perfume. Here we start with a guided tour of the famous Fragonard perfumery to learn how the various perfumes are made. An optional game can be included afterwards, to test how everyone is at identifying various smells. Grasse is a pretty inland Provençal town with quirky boutiques and picture postcard settings. After a brief guided tour some free time is given before heading back to port in Marseille. A quick panoramic tour of Marseille itself can be included if planned in advance; it just means a little less free time in Cannes.

€ 65 per person (if over 40 people, contact us if smaller group)

Duration: 8.5 hours

EXTENDED HALF DAY TOUR FROM MARSEILLE CRUISE PORT TO CASSIS AND THEN ONTO A WINE ESTATE FOR VISIT AND TASTING

This shore excursion starts by a drive east along the coast to the quaint harbor and old fishing village of Cassis. After a short guided tour there we give some free time for people to look around the harbor, shops or to sit on the terrace of a café and soak up the southern French atmosphere.

Next we head just out of town to visit a traditional local wine estate. Here we learn how the wine is made and are then taught how to taste it properly (over several glasses/varieties). The wine visit with tasting is included in the rates. On the way back to port we can arrange to drive via the old town of Marseille so the old port there can also be seen with the guide giving commentary.

€ 39 per person (if group size over 40, let us know if smaller groups)

Duration: 5 hours

FULL DAY TRIP TO ARLES AND LA CAMARGUE WITH A VISIT TO A “MANADE”; A LOCAL BULL BREEDING FARM

The van or coach will leave the Marseille cruise port and head directly to Arles. This is a perfect opportunity for some scenic views of Provence, and takes about 1.5 hours drive in the high season.

Upon arrival in Arles, our guide will give a walking tour of this beautiful and historic town on the banks of the river Rhône. Bursting with roman history, the highlight of which is the amphitheater (built in 90 AD), the city has a trove of interesting features to explore. It is also famous for being the home of the painter, Vincent van Gogh.

After the guided walk, there is free time given to enjoy the many typical Provençal shops and cafés that line the cobbled squares and streets which inspired many of Van Gogh’s works. Lunch is then taken during the free time (can be arranged or included by us if needed).

After Arles, we head into the Camargue, a region of marshland, salt flats and agriculture famous for its pink flamingos, bulls and white horses. There is a very local tradition of breeding bulls and horses in what is known as a manade, run by families who act as gardians, or herders. We organize a meeting at one of these ranches to meet family members, see demonstrations of their work and learn more about this culture, which is unique to this area but with echoes of Spanish influence. =

€ 65 per person (if over 40 passengers)

Duration: 8.5 hours

HALF DAY SHORE EXCURSION TO AIX EN PROVENCE

Within 40 minutes from the Marseille cruise terminal, the relaxing city of Aix en Provence is perfect destinations for those with limited time wanting to discover an inland French Provençal and Roman city. Our guide will explain the history and show the group by foot the secrets around the many squares and alleyways. Some free time is then given before heading back to Marseille port. It’s also possible to visit Paul Cézanne’s studio where he spent the last years of his life, although due to timing this should be decided in advance so the tour can be adjusted around those wanting to go there.

€ 40 per person (if over 40 passengers, contact us if less people)

Duration: 4 hours

HALF DAY TOUR OF THE OLD PORT OF MARSEILLE AND THE HISTORICAL CENTER

Perfect for getting an in-depth understanding of Marseille, its history and its influence as France’s 2nd largest city. The shore excursion starts with a panoramic tour with some commentary on the bus/van and then continues with a walking tour of the old port and the central areas of Marseille. See the main tourist sights and learn the background and stories of France's premier maritime port. Some free time is also given with advice on what to do, depending on how the group - or the weather – feels (shopping, museums or just strolling around). Alternatively, stay with the guide for a more in depth discovery if preferred.

€ 35 per person (if over 40 travelers, ask for a quote if less)

Duration: 3 hours

HOW TO BOOK YOUR MARSEILLE SHORE EXCURSIONS:

1. Send a brief email to replyquick@therealfrance.com letting us know your needs along with the expected group size and the dates and times for arrival and departures into the port of Marseille. Send us your arrival grids if you have several dates needed and remember we can help for any other needs in France.
   
   
2. You will quickly receive a reply and confirmation of the quote along with our DMC payment terms and conditions.
   
   
3. Once confirmed you will receive our shore excursion voucher with any practical information needed.