Marseille Travel Guide
Get the lowdown on things to see and do in Marseille. Check out our Marseille travel guide for information on top Marseille attractions.
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The second largest city in France, Marseille is a bustling, exciting, and in parts, run down harbour city on the Mediterranean coast. Established more than 2500 years ago by the voyaging Greeks, Marseille's rich history is long and fascinating, with periods of influence from many major cultures, including a period under the control of the Moors - indeed, there is to this day a large north African population in Marseille that gives the city a unique feeling.
The principal sights as with all major French cities are centred on the rich culture of the country both religious - the beautiful cathedral Notre Dame de la Garde; and secular - the museum of the Roman Docks around which Marseille originally developed.
Marseille is a great place to explore and has many interesting buildings and sights to see, a great café culture to soak up, and the chance to try innumerable different versions of French cuisine blended with influences from all over the world. The shopping in and around the city is first class - particularly for clothing and sunglasses.
Marseille has beaches along the Mediterranean coast, although these are in no way the best in the area - head a little to the south towards Toulon in order to find a better place to relax and soak up the sun - and the weather is excellent throughout the spring and autumn - in high summer the temperature can be a bit on the high side for many people.