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Marseille

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Marseille
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Marseille Travel Guide

  • About Marseille
Built on multiculturalism, revolution and a Mediterranean climate, Marseille is one of Europe’s most intriguing metropolises. Backdropped by the white limestone cliffs of the Calanques, its serene setting is at odds with the Arabic-style backstreets of the city centre and the boisterous bartering at the fish market.The hub of Marseille is the Vieux-Port, a harbour with some 2,600 years of history, while adjacent neighbourhoods such as Le Panier and Belsunce still offer up warrens of washing-webbed lanes, perfect for exploring on foot or by bike.Book Accommodation The tree-lined central avenue of La Canebière crackles with activity day and night, while a short ferry ride offshore reveals Marseille’s other face – the Iles du Frioul, a rocky archipelago perfect for walkers and bird-spotters.There are some hugely diverting museums and cultural sites back in the city centre, but a major part of Marseille’s draw is that it doesn’t cater solely for highbrow visitors. If the notion of settling down on a busy café terrace and watching the world go by over a glass of wine sounds appealing, you’ll be well served.For every dose of postcard classicism there’s a splash of something funkier – a 20ft-tall (6m) metal giraffe here, a 15-strong band of buskers there. Nevertheless, you don’t have to look far for classical architecture, whether its the Puget brothers designed La Vieille Charité (a 17th century almshouse that now houses the archaeological museum) or the crenelated towers of the Abbaye de St Victor, which conceal 5th century catacombs.That this side of the city is so often overlooked is in part due to its historical significance as a major port and as the gateway to France’s former colony Algeria, both of which have combined to make the city extraordinarily cosmopolitan.Today, the city’s unrivalled music and fashion industries add a dynamic flavour to the multi-ethnic mix that is layered over what is at heart, a truly French city.Key factsPopulation: 1470000 Latitude: 43.293683 Longitude: 5.372485
  • Marseille History
Although it may not seem that way today, Marseilles is one of the oldest cities in France and began life in 600BC when it was founded by a group of seafaring Greeks.Places in Marseille Airports Independent until 100BC, it suffered grievously from backing an opponent of Julius Caesar and, like the rest of France, was absorbed into the Roman Empire. Known as Massilia under Roman rule, the end of Empire brought a series of different rulers including the Visigoths and Emperor Charlemagne. The latter granted Marseille civic power and ushered it into a boom that lasted several centuries.But the good times were not to last and the city was ravaged by the Angevins, bubonic plague and finally the Aragonese in the 13th and 14th centuries. Finally, in the 1480s, Marseille became part of France, although not without clinging onto its independent character. Under the rule of the French kings, it became a key trading port, as well as France’s main military base on the Mediterranean.When the French Revolution arrived, the city showed its independent character once again, sending 500 citizens to march on Paris and composing the French National Anthem, La Marseillaise, in the process. Marseille ushered in a second boom with the birth of the French Republic.The city witnessed a huge growth in manufacturing and industry during the 19th century and was boosted again with the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869.During WWII, Marseille had the dubious distinction of being bombed by both the German and Italian forces in 1940 and the Allies three years later. Badly damaged, much of the city was rebuilt in the 1950s, a project funded mainly by reparations from Germany.There was a marked increase in immigration from the 1950s onwards as the so-called Pieds Noirs fled the fighting in Algeria, which has contributed in large part to the colourful reputation Marseille now enjoys.
  • Did you know?
Founded over 2,600 years ago, Marseille is the oldest city in France. In 1794, the gold and silver relics in Saint Victor Abbey were melted down and turned into coins as the abbey was converted into a prison, warehouse and barracks. Footballers Eric Cantona and Zinedine Zidane were both born in Marseille.
  • Weather in Marseille
Marseille has a mild coastal climate, boasting hot and sunny weather for a good proportion of the year (the city gets more than 3,000 hours of sunshine annually). The mistral (a strong north-westerly wind which generally brings clear skies and dry air) regularly blows across the city, especially in the autumn, which makes the coastline popular for nautical activities.Come summer (June to September), the city comes to life with all manner of events from dance and music to theatre and gay pride.

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