Marseilles

Travelers come to Marseilles to experience the lively energy and fascinating ambiance of this authentic, operating harbor. The oldest city in France and one steeped in history, Marseilles (sometimes written Marseille), has a 2,600-year-old history. Marseilles is the second-largest city in France by population.

Marseilles is a significant cruise port because of its expansive harbor and excellent position on the Mediterranean Sea. Aix-en-Provence, the classic Provençal town, and the fishing village of Cassis are some of the nearby picture-perfect Provence sites that are more popular with tourists than Marseilles (both are great day trips from Marseilles). The city's cosmopolitan atmosphere is most apparent along the coastline. Excellent seafood dishes are available at many restaurants in the Vieux Port (Old Port), including the regional specialty of bouillabaisse, which is cooked using materials from the neighborhood fish market. The Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, Marseille's most iconic landmark, is visible from the hilltop of the Vieux Port, which also offers breathtaking views of the sea. Le Panier (the Old Town), which includes a large number of Middle Eastern and Algerian restaurants along with outdoor cafés, trendy apparel stores, and artisan boutiques, is where you can find the city's multicultural character.