Located on the south-east of France on the Mediterranean Coast, Marseille is the largest commercial port in France. As a result of the proximity to the sea, many of the population are immigrants, giving the city a cosmopolitan and gritty feel. As a large European city, it is important to keep your wits about you, but no more than in Paris or Lyon. The character is immediately noticeable here and everywhere has a wonderful realism about it.
Marseille and its surrounding areas have been inhabited for almost 30,000 years as paintings in nearby underwater caves date back to between 27,000 and 19,000BC. The city was founded by Greeks in 600BC, making it the oldest in France.
Due to its location, Marseille has hot dry summers and mild winters. July and August are the hottest months whilst January and February are the coldest. In winter and spring, Marseille is hit by a harsh icy wind from the Alps, this is known as the Minstral.
Culturally, Marseille is very strong. As a regional centre for entertainment, it has various theatres, museums and music venues. The main cultural attraction is the opera house, located fairly centrally. Six or seven operas are held there every year, attracting a number of people from all over the south. Another important part of the city’s musical culture is hip hop as many Marseille based groups have a strong presence throughout France and are also known in various other countries.
In the city centre, the Vieux Port (old port) is a large touristic attraction. Guarded by two forts, it is one of the main venues for eating and one of the more obvious areas to Marseille. In the inlet to the port lies the Phare de Sainte Marie Рa lighthouse which provides picturesque views. From the port, La Canebi̬re Рa dominant street runs eastward through the city, this is where the majority of the attractions are situated.
Further away from the city is the Basilica of Notre-Dame-de-la-garde. Built by the architect Esperandieu, this is situated in the hills and offers views over Marseille and its surrounding area. Another out of city venue is the Stade Velodrome - home of Olympique Marseille, the city’s football club and one of the top teams in France.
For external transport, Marseille is served by an international airport located in Marigne, Saint-Charles railway station and an extensive network of motorways. Internally, the city is served by tram bus and a two line metro. The internal transport system works well, however, the metro does not cover a huge amount of space.
Marseille benefits from its Mediterranean location and size. It has a lot of energy and a mixture of cultures, as well as good weather. This gritty, rough around the edges city has an amazing realism and along with fantastic architecture creates a beautiful venue, not just created for aristocracy.
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