Marseille is big, hilly and spread around a long coastline, and some of its best sights sit far from the metro. The Colorbüs hop-on hop-off tour links them in a single loop of about an hour and a quarter. The red line has 14 stops, among them the Vieux-Port and La Canebière, the Mucem and Fort Saint-Jean, La Major and Le Panier, Les Terrasses du Port, the Abbey of Saint-Victor, Fort Saint-Nicolas, the Plage des Catalans, the little fishing harbour of the Vallon des Auffes, the Corniche and, crucially, the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde at the top of its hill. Commentary comes through a geolocated audio guide on your own smartphone, in 11 languages including English, so bring headphones, as they are not provided, and there is Wi-Fi on board. Tickets last one or two consecutive days and you can hop on and off as often as you like. It is the easiest way to see the coast road and reach the basilica without the steep climb, and a good first-day orientation. The city’s Petit Train is another option for the basilica, but it is not sold on Tiqets.
How it works: buses depart every 30 minutes. From April to November they run from 10:00 to 17:00, and from December to March from 10:00 to 16:00. The listed start point is on Boulevard Jacques Saadé near the Joliette waterfront, but you can board at any stop with your smartphone ticket. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before your visit, which helps if the weather turns.
What to expect: a full loop without stopping takes about 75 minutes. The upper deck is open, which is glorious on a sunny day and chilly in the mistral, so bring a layer. Traffic around the Vieux-Port can slow things in rush hours and summer weekends.
Making the most of it: ride the whole loop once early on day one to get your bearings, then use it as transport. A good plan is to hop off at Notre-Dame de la Garde for the basilica, rejoin to the Vallon des Auffes for a walk and lunch, then ride along the Corniche back to the port. With a two-day ticket, add the Mucem and Le Panier stops on the second day. Watch the time of the last bus, which comes earlier in winter.
What to expect
The experience
An open-top hop-on hop-off bus loop with 14 stops and a geolocated smartphone audio guide, valid for one or two consecutive days.
Best time
Morning of your first day, on a clear day for the best views from the Corniche and the basilica.
How long
About 75 minutes for a full loop, a day or two with stops.
Tips
Bring your own headphones and a warm layer for the open deck, and check the last departure, which is earlier from December to March.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-timers who want an overview and an easy ride up to Notre-Dame de la Garde.
- Families
- Children love the open top deck, and it saves small legs from the city’s steep hills.
- Couples
- Hop off at the Vallon des Auffes for a seafood lunch in the tiny fishing harbour.
- Pair with
- Notre-Dame de la Garde and the Vallon des Auffes on the same day.
- Time needed
- A full day, or two days with the two-day ticket.
Good questions
Does the Colorbüs stop at Notre-Dame de la Garde?+
Yes, the basilica is one of the 14 stops on the red line. It is the easiest way to reach the hilltop without the steep walk.
How often do the buses run?+
Buses leave every 30 minutes. From April to November they run 10:00 to 17:00, and from December to March 10:00 to 16:00.
Is there live commentary?+
No, commentary is via a geolocated audio guide on your smartphone in 11 languages. Bring your own headphones, as they are not provided.
Can I cancel my ticket?+
Tiqets offers free cancellation until 24 hours before your visit. Rescheduling is also possible within the same window.
Is the Petit Train the same thing?+
No, the Petit Train de Marseille is a separate small tourist train that also climbs to the basilica from the Vieux-Port. It is sold locally, not on Tiqets.
