In a city known for a mixture of natural beauty and human ingenuity, Bonneveine still manages to stand out. Beauty is on display, from the grounds of an old palace to the glittering waters of the Mediterranean. Visit Bonneveine to see the best of what Marseille’s artists have to offer, inspired both by their surroundings and the city’s tumultuous history.

Explore the gardens of the Parc Borely, stroll along the banks of the Huveaune or relax amid the manicured flowerbeds of the Jardin Joseph Chabaud. Bring the kids to get exercise on the lawns and playground equipment of the Parc Central. Go on a walking tour of Bonneveine’s collection of public art, such as Le Pouce de César, an enormous replica of the artist’s thumb. The Seven Doors of Jerusalem standing on the beaches of Le Prado are a definite attraction in their own right.

Take a moment to appreciate the architecture and atmosphere of the 18th-century Église Notre-Dame des Neiges. Go shopping in the large collection of stores housed inside the Centre Commercial Bonneveine. See the long history of local craftsmanship in earthenware at the Musée de la Faïence or the cutting edge of art from Marseille and the world at the Musée d’Art Contemporain.

Discover how the French obsession with cycling goes far beyond the Tour de France by attending a competition at the Hippodrome Borély, where cheering crowds watch cyclists go impossibly fast around the ring.

Bonneveine is located south of central Marseille, in the 8th Arrondissement. Get here in about 45 minutes by public transportation or 20 minutes by car from Gare St-Charles. Bonneveine itself is fairly small and can easily be explored on foot, with buses providing connections to elsewhere in the city. Driving is the easiest way of traveling around, however. Parking is readily available, especially inland, even during the summer.