Destination Overview
Marseille is France's second largest and most ancient city. It
was founded by the Greeks in 600BC and was later conquered by the
Romans, after becoming a thriving port and centre for trade. Today
it is littered with ancient sites and artefacts; mostly Roman
additions to the original Greek settlement. Other than its
colourful old harbour, the city does not have much appeal in the
way of architecture. It is characterised by acres of slumlands and
has a reputation for having a very active underground criminal
element. Marseille is, however, very down to earth and lacks the
pretension of most other French cities, with plenty of attractions
and pedestrianised squares to explore. The city is also divided
into
in the style of Paris, which makes it
relatively easy to get around on the metro. The Old Port area is
filled with restaurants, bars, hotels, office blocks and a daily
fish market at the Belgian Quay, giving it a lively and
sophisticated air. There are also a number of museums (including a
maritime museum), galleries, theatres and shops dotted about the
city that are worth visiting. Marseille is also famed for its
Opéra; an Art Deco opera house situated in the heart of the city
that was all but destroyed by fire in 1920. The outgoing, friendly
inhabitants of Marseille are a cosmopolitan bunch, although about a
quarter of the population are North African by descent, and they
eschew the style and image consciousness of the rest of the Cote
d'Azur, creating a more African flavour and a vibrant atmosphere.
Marseilles also acts as a good base for exploring the nearby
natural beauty of the
(or Mediterranean fjords) and some excellent
beaches.
