The third largest city in France after Paris and Lyon, Marseille (sometimes spelled Marseilles in the UK) is rapidly becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Heathrow and Gatwick Airports in London serve the city with multiple departures every day. The city's main airport, Marseille Provence Airport, is the fourth most trafficked airport in the whole of France. Business travelers and tourists alike crowd its terminals. Once travelers disembark at the airport, they enjoy excellent local public transportation.
Marseille lies on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea on the southeast coast, the Cote-d-Azur, of France. It has the country's largest commercial port. The Old Port that fell into disuse after the'70s oil crises has been redeveloped into a bustling residential and tourist destination with assistance from the European Community.
The old port area is now home to restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels and other businesses and is primarily used as a private marina. The new port area is north of the old port area, and 100 million tons of freight passes through this port each year. The majority of the freight is petroleum. It is a major center for trade and industry with excellent transportation infrastructure, including its port, airport and roads. It is one of the main entry points into France, making it popular with immigrants, especially those from Italy, Spain and Greece.
With its location on the Mediterranean Sea, Marseille has mild winters and hot summers. The coldest months of the year are January and February, with July and August being the area's hottest months. Harsh, cold winds blow into the city from the Alps in the winter and spring.
The city also boasts Marseille Provence Metropolis, the second largest research center in France. The research center employs thousands of scientists.
In addition to industry, plenty of shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, museums and theaters can be found in the city. Culture lovers are especially enamored of Marseille due to the large number of theaters in the city, including la Cri?e, le Gymnase and the theatre Toursky. The Marseille Opera is also very popular, with a season from September to June.
Like every other region of France, but perhaps a little more so, Provence is known for its incredible food. Local favorites include pastis, a popular liqueur made with anise and spice, once made with the now-banned absinthe. Other local favorites are aioli (mayonnaise) served over hard boiled eggs or fish, tapenades over grilled meats, panisse, navette, and the flavorful boiling bouillabaisse. Restaurants make all their dishes with local ingredients chosen because they are intensely flavorful. Many of these establishments can be found in the previously mentioned Old Port area, also the site of a fish market. The Old Port area is beautiful after sundown, and a wonderful destination for a romantic evening, but entirely safe for UK visitors.
Beautiful architecture can also be found in the city, including the Abbey of Saint Victor, one of the oldest places of Christian worship in France, the Museum of Old Marseille and the Phare de Sainte Marie, a lighthouse on the inlet to the Old Port.
With all that the city has to offer to visitors, it is easy to see why Marseille is growing in popularity with travelers. - 29948
Marseille lies on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea on the southeast coast, the Cote-d-Azur, of France. It has the country's largest commercial port. The Old Port that fell into disuse after the'70s oil crises has been redeveloped into a bustling residential and tourist destination with assistance from the European Community.
The old port area is now home to restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels and other businesses and is primarily used as a private marina. The new port area is north of the old port area, and 100 million tons of freight passes through this port each year. The majority of the freight is petroleum. It is a major center for trade and industry with excellent transportation infrastructure, including its port, airport and roads. It is one of the main entry points into France, making it popular with immigrants, especially those from Italy, Spain and Greece.
With its location on the Mediterranean Sea, Marseille has mild winters and hot summers. The coldest months of the year are January and February, with July and August being the area's hottest months. Harsh, cold winds blow into the city from the Alps in the winter and spring.
The city also boasts Marseille Provence Metropolis, the second largest research center in France. The research center employs thousands of scientists.
In addition to industry, plenty of shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, museums and theaters can be found in the city. Culture lovers are especially enamored of Marseille due to the large number of theaters in the city, including la Cri?e, le Gymnase and the theatre Toursky. The Marseille Opera is also very popular, with a season from September to June.
Like every other region of France, but perhaps a little more so, Provence is known for its incredible food. Local favorites include pastis, a popular liqueur made with anise and spice, once made with the now-banned absinthe. Other local favorites are aioli (mayonnaise) served over hard boiled eggs or fish, tapenades over grilled meats, panisse, navette, and the flavorful boiling bouillabaisse. Restaurants make all their dishes with local ingredients chosen because they are intensely flavorful. Many of these establishments can be found in the previously mentioned Old Port area, also the site of a fish market. The Old Port area is beautiful after sundown, and a wonderful destination for a romantic evening, but entirely safe for UK visitors.
Beautiful architecture can also be found in the city, including the Abbey of Saint Victor, one of the oldest places of Christian worship in France, the Museum of Old Marseille and the Phare de Sainte Marie, a lighthouse on the inlet to the Old Port.
With all that the city has to offer to visitors, it is easy to see why Marseille is growing in popularity with travelers. - 29948
About the Author:
Tom Martens is the content coordinator for Bestukflights.co.uk the UK's premier flight and travel comparison portal which includes a detailed section on Travel and Flights to Marseille
