Marseille: Old Town Food Tour & Full Provençal Meal Walk

Summary

Old Port flavors, Provençal bites, sweet stops and laughter in Marseille

You’ll stroll through Marseille’s Old Port on this walking food tour, tasting roasted camembert, panisses with aioli, local sweets like calissons and nougat, plus pastries along the way. Expect laughter with your guide and moments where Provence feels closer than ever — especially when someone shares their family recipe or story over dessert.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I thought I knew French food — but Marseille just does its own thing. The first stop was this little place near the Vieux Port where our guide, Camille, handed us roasted camembert à la Provençale. It was gooey and herby and honestly, I got cheese on my fingers trying to scoop it up with a crouton. Camille just grinned and said that’s how you know you’re doing it right here. There was this salty sea breeze coming in from the port — you could almost taste it with the cheese.

We wandered through these narrow streets (I kept losing track of which way was north) and ended up in a brasserie that felt like someone’s living room if their living room had brass taps and old Marseille football scarves on the wall. We tried panisses — crispy chickpea fries — with a dollop of garlicky sauce aioli that made my eyes water a bit (in a good way). Someone at another table started singing softly in French; I didn’t catch the words but it made me smile anyway. Our day trip food tour in Marseille kept surprising me — every bite felt different from Paris or Lyon.

Later, we ducked into this tiny boutique for calissons and nougat. The woman behind the counter let us try slivers of each — chewy almond paste with candied melon for the calisson, soft nougat studded with nuts. She told us about her grandfather making sweets during wartime when sugar was scarce. I still think about that story when I see calissons now. Oh, and there were pastries too — flaky, sticky things dusted with powdered sugar; I forgot what they’re called but nobody cared about names at that point.

I left feeling full (maybe too full) but also sort of connected to Marseille in a way I didn’t expect. If you’re after something real — not just ticking off dishes but actually hearing people’s stories while you eat — this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Marseille food tasting and local culture

• Taste roasted camembert à la Provençale
• Try traditional tapas at Vieux Port brasseries
• Visit boutique for nougats and calissons
• Enjoy crunchy Oriental pastries

Top questions

How long is the Marseille food tour?

The tour lasts around half a day as a walking experience through the Old Town.

Is lunch included on this Marseille food tour?

Yes, lunch is included as part of several tasting stops throughout the tour.

What foods will I try on this Old Port food walk?

You’ll taste roasted camembert à la Provençale, panisses with aioli, sardines, calissons, nougat, and assorted pastries.

Is there a local guide during the Marseille food tour?

Yes, you’ll be guided by a knowledgeable local who shares stories about each dish and spot.

Are drinks provided during the tour?

Water is included at each stop along your route.

Can children join this Marseille food experience?

Yes! Infants can use prams or strollers; specialized infant seats are available if needed.

Does the tour accommodate dietary restrictions?

Please contact before booking to discuss any specific food restrictions or allergies.

Will there be both English and French spoken on the tour?

The guide may speak both English and French during your experience.

What’s included

Your day includes guided walking through Marseille’s Old Town with several tasting stops—roasted camembert à la Provençale, panisses with aioli, local sweets like calissons and nougat—plus water at each spot and enough tastings to count as lunch before you wander back out into those busy port streets again.