Marseille Private Tour: Notre-Dame de la Garde & Les Goudes

A private driver takes you through five centuries of Marseille without a fixed schedule.

A private sightseeing tour of Marseille with an English or French-speaking driver, covering the city's landmarks and coast over five hours. You visit Notre-Dame de la Garde for panoramic views, the 19th-century Cathédrale de la Major and Palais Longchamp, then drive La Corniche to the fishing village of Les Goudes at the edge of Calanques National Park. The tour is completely customizable: move at your own pace and focus on what interests you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each5 stops

1. Marseille Cathedral10m
2. Palais Longchamp10m
3. Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica30m
4. La Corniche30m
5. Calanques National Park30m

Explore Marseille's highlights with driver

• Pickup and travel to L'Estaque
• Visit highest point of L'Estaque village
• Drive to Cathédrale de la Major
• Visit Cathédrale de la Major and view port
• Pass by Le Panier old town
• Drive to Palais Longchamp
• View Palais Longchamp and gardens
• Drive to Notre-Dame de la Garde
• Visit Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica
• Drive along Corniche Kennedy to Pointe Rouge
• Drive from Pointe Rouge to Les Goudes village
• Stop and explore Les Goudes village
• Return trip to starting point

The experience

How do you see a city of nearly a million people without feeling rushed? This tour answers that by putting a private driver at your disposal instead of locking you into a group schedule. You're picked up from your hotel or a location you choose, then driven to L'Estaque first: a fishing village within Marseille itself, where you climb to the highest point for a view of the whole city spread below. From there, the route moves through the old quarters and monuments: the Cathédrale de la Major, built in the 19th century and the first landmark merchants saw arriving by sea; the Palais Longchamp, a grand 19th-century palace surrounded by gardens that was built to celebrate the arrival of water to the city via canal; and Le Panier, the narrow-streeted old town you'll pass (the driver can't stop due to tight streets, but you can explore it on foot another time).

The second half of the day is the coast. You drive La Corniche Kennedy, a scenic road that runs along the Mediterranean with 19th-century villas perched on the cliffs, then head south to Les Goudes, a small fishing village where the harbor fills with colorful boats and the water is clear enough to see the rocky seabed. A short stop there lets you photograph L'île Maire, a small island just offshore, and the rugged cliffs that mark the edge of Calanques National Park. The return to your hotel takes up to 50 minutes depending on traffic. Throughout, the vehicle is air-conditioned, stocked with bottled water, and fitted with USB and phone chargers.

What’s included

• Private transportation with an air-conditioned vehicle.
• English or French-speaking private driver.
• bottled water.
• USB and phone chargers.
• hotel pickup included.

Before you book

Lasts 5h, runs every day, 15 start times, from € 415.20 per group, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day15 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 15:00

Book up to1h before

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by ARGO VTC

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to move through Marseille without a fixed schedule or a group. The private driver and customizable route let you spend more time at the sights that matter to you and skip past the ones that don't.

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Top questions

What is Notre-Dame de la Garde and why is it worth the stop?

Notre-Dame de la Garde is a 19th-century basilica perched high above Marseille, known locally as the "Bonne Mère" (Good Mother) and a symbol of protection for sailors. You'll have time to explore the interior, take in the panoramic views of the city and Mediterranean, and photograph the mosaics and architecture from the hilltop.

Can I stop and walk around, or does the driver keep moving?

The tour is completely private and customizable. You set the pace. You stop at Notre-Dame de la Garde and Les Goudes for short visits, and you pass through other areas like Le Panier and Palais Longchamp. If you want to linger somewhere or skip ahead, you tell the driver.

What is Les Goudes like when we get there?

Les Goudes is a small fishing village at the southern edge of Marseille where the city meets the sea. The harbor is filled with colorful fishing boats, rocky cliffs frame the coast, and the water is clear. It sits near the edge of Calanques National Park and offers views of L'île Maire, a small island just offshore.

How long is the drive along La Corniche, and what will I see?

La Corniche Kennedy is a scenic coastal road that runs between Notre-Dame de la Garde and Pointe Rouge on the way to Les Goudes. You'll see the Mediterranean, sandy beaches, rocky coves, and elegant 19th-century villas built into the cliffs: roughly 30 minutes of driving depending on traffic and stops.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to pay for separately?

The tour includes private transportation, an English or French-speaking driver, bottled water, USB and phone chargers, and air-conditioned vehicle. Lunch and dinner are not included, so plan to eat before or after, or bring snacks.