Although not technically in the French Riviera, Marseille is the main city of the historical province of Provence, it is the prefecture of the department of Bouches-du-Rhône and region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and is located on the Mediterranean coast near the mouth of the Rhône and is a must for your holiday bucket list.
Marseille is the second largest city in France and one of the oldest. Being a port city it has been a crossroads of immigration and trade since its founding by the Greeks since 600 B.C.
At its heart is the Vieux-Port (Old Port), where fishmongers still sell their catch along the boat-lined quay to this day to locals and restaurants.
In the past Marseille had garnered a bad reputation and was known as a rough and tumble, no go type of city but in the last 5-7 years it has been undergoing a transformation making it far more people friendly while still keeping a sense of its charm and culture along with having a strong business community.
If the world of art is your thing, this is the place to be. Throughout Marseille various art forms can be found but one area in particular to visit is the outdoor market named ‘Cours Julien' or also known as the 'District of the Young People'. The vibrant color filled surroundings are so enticing no wonder so many up and coming new artists live here.
Overall, Marseille has many art galleries and museums to take in at your own pace.
Exploring the city you will be surprised at how many interesting shops you will come across offering locally handmade and luxury goods also from virtually around the world.
And if you consider yourself a foodie who’s not shy about trying out new and varied cuisine, Marseille is the place for you. Discover the many districts with family owned and operated restaurants and cafes offering a spectrum of fresh food and drinks and yet still enveloping you with all the charms of France.
Notable architectural interests to visit are the Basilique Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde is a Romanesque-Byzantine church. With modern landmarks such as Le Corbusier’s influential Cité Radieuse complex and Zaha Hadid’s CMA CGM Tower and many other architectural favorites you won’t be able to help but come upon.
Marseille is only about two hours by TGV train from Cannes passing through Saint Raphaël, TouIon and while in transit you are able to see the landscapes change from red to white stone with stunning greenery and mountainside along the way. Day or night, Marseille is meant for the world to take in and will certainly leave you with long lasting memories.
If you are looking for villa rentals just outside Marseille, apartment rentals or hotel accommodations within the city, feel free to connect with us for more information.