Marseille, Marseille Holidays and Marseille Hotels:

Set on the Mediterranean coast, Marseille is France's second-largest city and its most important port. Many travellers consider Marseille to be dirty, rough and downright dangerous, but it is an exciting, colourful place, with a long history. After decades of decay, Marseille now smartening up its image - buildings are being renovated and there is a new TGV train link to Paris.

Marseille may come as something of a shock to the first time visitor. The noise, smells, heat and markets can remind you more of Africa than Europe, and there's a tension in the air. This is the oldest city in France by far. Founded around 2,500 years ago, it has always been a lively, rowdy gateway between Europe and the rest of the world. It's character is definitely Mediterranean rather then French, and it is a less visited but worthy rival to Athens, Barcelona or Naples.

Marseille's main thoroughfare, La Canebiere, stretches eastwards from the old port. Once a seedy red light district, known to visiting English sailors as the "Can o' Beer", it is now a shopping street, surrounded by the colourful Maghrebi quarter, full of markets selling exotic vegetables, colourful African fabrics and spices. The area around the old port is the true heart of Marseille, and this is where the Marina and fish market can be found. At the entrance to the port are two large forts standing guard over the harbour: Fort St. Nicholas on the south and Fort St. Jean on the other.

Probably Marseille's best-known landmark is the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde standing high above the city to the south of the port. The enormous gilded statue of the Madonna and Child that stands on top of the tower can be seen far out to see.

Le Panier is the oldest part of Marseille, a warren of narrow streets and stone stairways. During World War II some of it was demolished by the Nazis who used dynamite to clear the area of 'undesirables', such as Jews and resistance fighters. However, much of the district's spirit and architecture survived, including the seventeenth-century Hotel de Ville. There is also the fascinating Musee de Marseille, recounting the city's long and eventful history, as well as what must be the city's most beautiful building, the Hospice de la Vielle Charite. It's three storey cloisters and gorgeous Baroque chapel were built to house paupers in the late seventeenth century.

Location of Marseille:
Marseille is located on the south coast of France - approximately 100km west of Cannes.

Serving Airports:
Marseille Provence Airport [MRS]
Flight time from the UK : Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes and then 30km to Marseille centre [a shuttle bus runs between the airport and Marseille's train station [Gate Saint Charles] every 20 minutes [from 06:10 to 22:50] and then to coincide with flight arrival times.

Marseille Temperature Chart :

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Temp °C	6	7	10	13	17	21	23	22	20	15	11	7

Average daily temperature °C

Beaches in Marseille:
Prado Beach is located at the end of the corniche and is Marseille's main sand beach.

Shopping in Marseille:
The main shopping areas are in the centre and southern part of the City and cater for all tastes - from luxury department stores to little boutiques and stores. The Centre Bourse is a huge shopping centre and a great place for getting all the shopping done under the same roof. Then there is La Canebiere [Marseille's answer to Paris' Champs Elysees], Rue Ferreol, Rue de Rome and Rue de Paradis which make up the major shopping area in the City and include local and national department stores.

Eating out in Marseille:
Heavily influenced by its surroundings, fish dishes dominate menus - in particular bouillabaisse. This fish soup combines a variety of fish with saffron, fennel and orange zest. It is served with rouille, a garlic and chilli-flavoured mayonnaise. Olive oil, fresh fruit, vegetable and herbs also form a large part of Marseille cuisine.

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Disclaimer:
By its very nature much of the information in our destination guides is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they are relying with the relevant authorities. Corona Holidays [UK] Limited cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above.

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