Marseille
From LoveToKnow Travel
This Mediterranean port city has been home to many notable Frenchmen, including the painter Honore Daumier, the President of the Third Republic Adolphe Thiers, and the actor Louis Jourdan. The city’s fighting forces during the Revolution gave the country its national anthem, La Marseillaise.
History
Marseille is the oldest city in France. Once home to the nomadic Ligure tribe, the area became a major Greek trading center as early as 600 BC. The city was later part of the Roman Empire and after that was held by several competing French noblemen. This contentious part of the port’s history explains the many ramparts and fortifications still found around the city.
Sightseeing
· The Old Port – this picturesque section of town has been a working port since around 600 BC. Today, yachts compete with fishing boats to make a fascinating mélange. Cafes line the waterfront. Visit early in the day to see the fishing boats preparing to go to sea while you sip your cafe au lait.
· Chateau d’If – This 16th century chateau, located on an island just offshore, was built to provide the city a defense against invaders. It is best known, however, as the prison of the Count of Monte Cristo, whose fate was immortalized by the eponymous Alexandre Dumas novel.
· Le Panier – Just west of the old port on the hilltop, is the site of the original Greek settlement, now called le Panier. Today, it’s a vibrant working-class neighborhood, filled with quirky shops and boutiques, ethnic restaurants, and colorful, narrow, cobblestone streets.
· Notre Dame de la Garde – This 19th century Gothic church dominates the Marseille skyline. Originally constructed as a fort, the church is a striking example of Romano-Byzantine architecture.
The Cuisine of Marseille
The food of Marseille is an interesting mixture of all of the cultures that have touched the city. The most well known dish here is bouillabaisse, a rich fish and seafood stew, flavored with saffron. Bouillabaisse actually originated with the Greeks and is still made by ship’s cook with the daily catch to feed the crew. Other specialties of the region include pistou, a basil-flavored soup, couscous, and Italian-style pasta dishes.
Restaurants and cafes abound along the city's waterfront. In addition, many ethnic restaurants, particularly African and Italian, can be found throughout the city. Romantic restaurants with a view of the Mediterranean can be found perched up in the mountains that ring Marseille.
Visiting Marseille
Travelers to Marseille can fly directly into Marseilles Province airport from Paris and several other cities around Europe. The airport is about 17 miles northeast of the city and reasonably-priced shuttles connect the airport and the city center. Marseille can also be reached by train. It’s about 4 ½ hours from Paris, 3 ½ hours from Lyon, and 2 ½ hours from Nice. Ferries connect Marseille with the Mediterranean islands of Corsica and Sardinia, and high-speed hydrofoils leave Nice regularly from the city.
Getting around Marseille is relatively inexpensive and easy via the bus system. Accommodations, of all types, are plentiful and tend to be less expensive than you’ll find in the coastal resort cities, such as nearby St. Tropez.
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