Marseille is the second largest and the second best-known city of France. After Paris, obviously. The capital of the Cote d'Azur is also the most openly multinational city of the country. Paris is a multicultural hub as well, but there such character is more secluded, while Marseille could - by the mix of colours, sounds, smells, and by its entire character - easily be mistaken for a North African city. Italian influence, an innumerable quantity of French kings, foreign armies, religious strife, plague epidemics, state terror (both revolutionary and royalist in nature).
Marseille has made important contributions to mankind's heritage: marseillaise vest, marseillaise soap, and, of course, the Mar
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Marseille has made important contributions to mankind's heritage: marseillaise vest, marseillaise soap, and, of course, the Marseillaise Hymn, which was a revolutionary song for some time, before becoming the French national anthem. Unfortunately, the largest part of the city today does not make a great architectural contribution. Marseille was becoming more and more impoverished in the middle of the 20th century and housing estates for the quickly multiplying population had to be built. And, of course, they were not constructed with architectural beauties and merits in mind.
However, Marseille's 2500 years of history could not have passed without leaving their mark. The Old Port, with the two fortresses guarding the entrance (St. Jean and St. Nicholas), Palais du Pharo, the Notre Dame de la Garde church which served as another fortification, and the Le Panier quarter. The highlight is the Basilique St. Victor, which is Marseille's oldest church - once part of a monastery. You can also see the Arc de Triomphe, Cathedrale Major, Cathedrale Vieille Major, and, of course, the Chateau d'If. This fortress, situated off the coast of Marseille, is famous as the setting where the Count of Monte Cristo, a creature of Alexandre Dumas's pen, served his penal sentence.
The city of Marseille also has a magnificent cuisine of its own, although less refined than that served in the neighbouring luxurious resort towns.
Quick Tips:
Best Way To Get Around:
A bike, a scooter, and public transportation are all fine. With a car of your own, you are risking traffic jams and parking problems. If you only wish to do some limited sightseeing, just go on foot. Read Less