Marseille, France

Marseille, France
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Author: Niels1974
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Marseille is the second biggest city in France after Paris. It is also the capital of the Bouches-du-Rhône district and the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. With a metropolitan population of 1.4 million people, it has the third largest urban area in the country.

Marseille is located on the southeast coast of France in the Mediterranean Sea. It is the biggest commercial port in the country. Marseille enjoys a Mediterranean climate with humid winters and dry summers. The hottest month is July, when the daily mean temperate rises to 24.1°C and the average high for the day is 29.5°C (85°F). The wettest month in Marseille is October, which receives as much as 85.4 mm (3.36 inches) of precipitation.

Basilica of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, Marseille
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Author: Benh LIEU SONG
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Going to Marseille

You can fly to Marseille, arriving at the Provence International Airport (MRS). There are buses, trains and of course taxis connecting the airport with downtown Marseille some 30 minutes away.

You can also reach Marseille by taking the TGV high-speed train from Paris. It takes 3 hours to make the journey. From Brussels, it is 5 hours to Marseille by TGV.

Driving to Marseille from Paris will take you 8 hours.

Cathédrale de la Major, Marseille
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Author: Jddmano
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Exploring Marseille

The public transportation of Marseille is operated by the Régie des Transports de Marseille (RTM), which runs the buses, trams and metro of the city. The most practical way to explore Marseille is by subway, which has two lines. If you are going to use the subway and bus a lot, then get multi-journey tickets available at many cafés and subway stations. They cost €6.30 for 5 journeys. A journey is defined as a trip within a one-hour limit, during which you are allowed unlimited transfers on the subway or bus.

Musée de la Vieille Charité
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Author: Jddmano
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Places of Interest in Marseille

Abbaye de St-Victor
Fortress-like abbey from at least the 11th century, a pilgrimage site every 2 February.
Boulevard Longchamp
A boulevard with stately buildings, including the Palais Longchamp.
Cathédrale de la Major
The largest 19th-century church in France.
Château d'If
A fortress on an island 2 km to the southwest of the port of Marseille.
Corniche
A promenade by the sea with lovely coastal views.
Cours Julien and la paine
These are trendy areas with cafés, bookstores and shops.
Le Panier
The oldest neighborhood in Marseille, with the Vielle Charité, where exhibitions are held.
Musé Cantini
Museum showcasing 20th century art.
Musée d'Archéologie méditerranéenne
Museum exhibiting the archaeological discoveries of the Mediterranean coast.
Musé de la Mode
A trendy museum of fashion.
Musé des Beaux-Arts
Museum in the handsome 19th-century Palais Longchamp with collection fine art.
Musée des Docks romains
This is the ancient harbour ruins from the Phoenician and Roman periods.
Musé Grobet-Labadié
Museum displaying fine furniture, paintings and tapestries.
Notre Dame de la Garde
The big church overlooking the city.
Parc Borély
A large public park close to the sea.
Place Castellane
A roundabout with fountain and sculpture, surrounded by the café scene.
Stade Velodrome
The local football stadium for the team "Olympique de Marseille".
Vieux Port
The old harbour area of Marseille, a good place to watch the French fishermen with their catch.

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