Marseille, France. South of France, city. Marseille is a city in France

More and more popular among tourists is the south of France. Cities with romantic names have been attracting travelers for a year now. The most attractive are Nice and Cannes. Do not remain without attention and Marseille - a city in France with an unusual relief and interesting history. It is the largest port of the country and the entire Mediterranean. There is a settlement on the shore of the Gulf of Lyons, near the mouth of the Rhone River. Last year, the cultural capital of Europe was recognized as Marseille. The city is the administrative center of the department of Bouches-du-Rhône.

Features of the terrain

Marseille (the map of the city is presented below) is located in a peculiar tier on the coastal hills. They, in turn, separate it from the rest of the country. Very popular beaches of Marseille. Among them are Prado, Corbières, de Lav, de la Buttri, Fortin. Calanques are quiet rocky bays. There are a lot of them on the Marseilles coast. There are all conditions for swimming, diving, climbing and sailing.

Weather

Here the Mediterranean climate prevails. Marseille (France) is on the same latitude from Sochi. For this reason, the temperature regime is the same here. Mostly mild winters. Separate years were remembered by a serious cooling, which was accompanied by small or moderate frosts. During some winter periods the sunny weather kept. It is more typical for the southern part of the Mediterranean. Snow falls almost every winter. Sometimes there are quite strong precipitations here. Snowfalls in Marseille - not uncommon. In summer there is a hot and hot weather. There is practically no precipitation during this period. Autumn here comes relatively early. At this time the weather is rainy. There is practically no velvet season as such.

Historical background

The city was founded by the Phocians. This happened back in 600 BC. It was originally called Massia. There is a legend about the creation of the city. It is inextricably linked with the history of the love of the Greek Protis and the Giptida, who was the daughter of the king of the Ligurians.

The king hoped to marry his daughter. To this end, he ordered a lavish banquet. The gipeptus chose Protis as her fiance. According to the legend, the couple received a part of the coast as a dowry. Here the city was founded.

Gradually Massalia began to turn into a major shopping center. A lot of trading stations were based on the coast. For a long time the independent republic was in alliance with Rome. It protected it from interference by other tribes and protected its trade interests. Later in the course of military clashes, the city was destroyed by Roman troops. He still retained his independence, but his influence was greatly weakened.

The city began to revive only in the X century. In many respects this contributed to the efforts of the Dukes of Provence. Later the settlement was included in the French kingdom. At the beginning of the 18th century, an outbreak of the plague epidemic occurred. Only about ten percent of the population survived. According to various sources, at that time, 40 to 60 thousand people died.

During the revolution, the city supported the Republicans. Therefore, the French anthem was called "Marseillaise". The economy of the city was significantly undermined during the continental blockade, organized by Napoleon. With the opening of the Suez Canal, Marcel again revived. To a large extent this was facilitated by the development of the colonial activity of the state. During the Second World War, Marseille (France) was a major center of resistance.

Local Features

Marseille is considered a very ancient city. It has a long history. During this time, a great cultural diversity has formed, which was contributed by the dynamic atmosphere of the settlement.

Guests can visit the market in the Old Port. Here, local fishermen trade their catch. You can also take a stroll along the roads along the waterfront. From here you can see picturesque views of the Kalanka. The beauty of the rocky sea bays is amazing. A popular place for meetings are La Plaine and Cours Julien. The Plain Market is open every Saturday and Thursday. Here you can buy a wide variety of goods. This area is perfect for spending time with children on the playgrounds or for choosing a novel in one of the trendy bookstores. There is a cafe for every taste. In them, visitors can relax over a cup of cappuccino and watch what's happening outside the window.

In Marseilles there are many places that are recommended to visit culture lovers. It is worth visiting the Longchamp Palace, Notre-Dame de la Garde and the Mediterranean Archeology Museum.

A walk through Marseille leaves an indelible impression. Many urban buildings - the fruit of the labor of the famous architect Le Corbusier. Especially extraordinary terracotta roofs. They create a special atmosphere in the city. Marseilles Airport "Provence" is very close. For this reason, the guests' vacation begins almost immediately, they do not have to languish in a long trip to the hotel.

Hotels in Marseille

It is this settlement that millions of tourists from all over the world dream of visiting. Marseille is able to impress with its beauty almost everyone. The uniqueness of architecture is truly fascinating. Equally important is the favorable climate. Currently, the city has more than sixty hotels. The attention of tourists are presented both budget hotels and luxury apartments. The most popular are the following establishments:

1. InterContinental Marseille - Hotel Dieu.

2. Best Western Bonneveine Prado.

3. Residhome Marseille Saint-Charles.

Each tourist, guided by personal preferences, will be able to find the ideal place for accommodation. Spa hotels in Marseille open their doors to those who love deep relaxation and sun rays. Most often, such institutions receive the highest ratings of customers. This means that guests can be sure that for their money they will get the best service. You can easily find a room in hotels with swimming pools. Most often in the complex of services the stay in the children's room and use of the mini-bar are already included. Some establishments have their own fitness centers and gyms. This unusual French city is visited annually by crowds of tourists. Many people want to feel his special atmosphere. In order to make it easier to get acquainted with local attractions, it is best to settle in the central part of the city. In any case, the guests will not be limited in the choice. To their services - standard hotels, mini-hotels and luxury apartments. Virtually all institutions have a free Wi-Fi zone.

Cafes and restaurants

Is it possible to consider a holiday successful if the national dishes are not properly tasted? There is an opinion that you can not feel the atmosphere of the city without having tasted local cuisine. Guests who share this view prefer to settle in hotels with their own restaurants. In this case, you can order delicious meals directly in your room. There are such hotels in almost all parts of the city.

Vacation with children

Those who are only attracted to democratic prices, it is worth to look at the hotels on the outskirts of Marseille. As a rule, renting rooms in hotels in the central part of the city is not cheap.

In public institutions, adults often rest with small guests. Families with children are best placed to look at specialized hotels. They have playrooms, where the child will be dealt with by educators. You can also use the services of a nanny.

sights

The symbol of the city is the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de la Garde. In summer, tourists can participate in a detailed one and a half hour excursion to the monastery. It is conducted in French. The approximate cost of the service is up to three euros. On the roof of the structure you can go up for a fee. From here you can enjoy stunning views of Marseille (France).

The Abbey of St. Victor is very close to the cathedral. There are amazing catacombs that are open to visitors. The castle of If and the Friulian Islands can be reached by tourist boats. They depart from the Old Port.

Marcel has two cultural centers: Jean Jaures Square and Cours Julien. These are the favorite places of local youth. Interesting books can be purchased there. In addition, informal fashion stores, cafes and clubs are open on the territory of these areas. The big market takes place on Saturdays and Thursdays. It is located on the square of Jean Jaures. The If Castle is a former prison. It is located on a small island. It was his Alexander Dumas enveloped in romantic secrets in one of his works. Currently, the building is open to visitors. Free time is best spent on the stall. To do this, take a boat and sail west. Some call the calanques French fjords.

What is recommended to do when arriving in Marseille (France)?

1. Visit the Arab quarter. Here, tourists get the impression that they are on the shores of North Africa.

2. Visit the restaurants that are in the Old Port. There are delicious fish dishes.

3. Look at the Shining City of Le Corbusier. Stay here leads to certain philosophical reflections.

4. To wander into the castle of If and imagine the life of man in an iron mask in all details.

Additional Information

You can book a room in almost any hotel in Marseille. However, it is worth doing it in advance. This service is provided by both cheap and expensive hotels.

Des Catalans is the most popular beach for tourists of Marseille. It is in close proximity to the center of the city.