High above Marseille stands the Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde church and is really worth the climb to see it. Not only is it a magnificent church but the panorama of the city and the harbour that it offers is breath-taking. It is also home to La Bonne Mere – the gold statue that is the so called protector of Marseille.Film buffs will recognise the Château d'If on an island off the coast of the city. France's old version of Alcatraz was home to the Man in the Iron Mask as well as the fictional Count of Monte Cristo and is worth making a visit to.Otherwise the National Park of Calanques. The first national park in France to feature both land and sea is home to lots of protected wildlife and is simply beautiful.

There is nothing impressive going on around the stadium, so get to the city, if you want to enjoy your time there. The most important is the Vieux Port (Old port)—the city's birthplace and the main harbour. Other than that, check out also the Palais Longchamp from 19th century, the Abbey of Saint-Victor or climb on a hill above the Old Port and visit Basilica of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde.