The oldest city in France - Marseille

The oldest city in France - Marseille – main image

The resort is called the most cosmopolitan center of France and at the same time the oldest city in the country. It is considered the gateway to the Mediterranean Sea. What city are we talking about?

If someone is planning to spend a holiday in France and wants to have a guarantee of a good holiday, he should consider a trip to Marseille. The Mediterranean climate of the city provides temperatures of 10-14 ° C in winter, and even 30 ° C in summer.

Apart from the favorable weather conditions, the resort also tempts with a wealth of tourist attractions. After all, it is the oldest French city, and in terms of the number of people inhabiting it, it ranks second. These are not all the advantages of Marseille - it is the largest commercial port in the country and one of the most important on the continent. Tourists come here from all over the world, attracted by the rich culture and history that is over 2,500 years old. The uniqueness of the city is emphasized by the fact that it was chosen as the European Capital of Culture 2013 .

Variety of Marseille

The architecture of Marseille clearly shows cultural influences from Africa and southern Europe. A significant part of the inhabitants are immigrants - they settled there, among others Italians, Moroccans, Algerians, as well as visitors from Turkey and Tunisia. Believers of Catholicism, Islam, Protestantism and Buddhism live here. In short, the richness of cultures.

The biggest attractions of Marseille include the so-called Old Port, or Vieux port , used as a harbor for small vessels and fishing boats. There you can buy fresh fish, and also take advantage of the free ferry ride. Thanks to it, tourists can get to the island of Château d'If, where the shots for the movie "The Count of Monte Cristo" were shot.

Not far from the port is La Criee, the national theater where French interpretations of Shakespeare's plays are performed. After crossing a few streets, we come across a famous monument of sacred art - the Church of St. Victor . Beautiful inside and out, it has a rich collection of holy relics. Visitors to the city at the end of the year can listen to concerts organized in the church.

The city is exceptionally green. More than half of it consists of parks and gardens, including very old ones such as Jardin de la Colline Puget or Jardin des Vestiges. Those who like romantic walks by the moonlight should visit Parc Longchamp. At this time, the garden looks exceptionally beautiful, and its charm is given by the effective fountains.

The beauty of nature and the work of human hands

The Basilica of Notre Dame stands on a hill over 160 meters high. Locals also refer to it as La Bonne Mere ("good mother"), so when searching, you can ask someone for directions using that name. The tower of the basilica is decorated with an 11-meter statue of the Madonna and Child, and the interior of the building is covered with marble and mosaics. There is also a rich collection of coins and photographs. On the occasion of visiting the temple, you can see the wonderful panorama of the city stretching from the hill.

In a short distance from Marseille, between it and Cassis, there is an absolutely unique place. They are Calanques , fancy geological formations found only in this area. Beautiful, picturesque valleys formed as a result of cracks in the limestone rocks. Due to their beauty, they are called Mediterranean fjords. There is no access to some of them from the land side, but it does not deter tourists.

Where to stay

There are many campsites waiting for those wandering through France in their own car. About 20 km southwest of Marseille city center is Camping - Caravaning Les Cigales . The town of Cassis is a 15-minute walk away. For a place for a motorhome, we will pay 5.30 euro / day, and the accommodation costs 7.70 euro. There is wireless Internet in the campsite.

While relaxing on the French coast, be sure to get acquainted with the simple, but delicious Marseille cuisine. Sitting in a restaurant overlooking the sea, let's try fish soup or pesto. There is beauty in simplicity.

The oldest city in France - Marseille – image 1
The oldest city in France - Marseille – image 2
The oldest city in France - Marseille – image 3
The oldest city in France - Marseille – image 4
Ken.G
Ken.G

A writer by profession, a passion of a cat. One day he will see what is behind the Urals - good to Vladivostok. So far, when he can, he enjoys the sun of the countries of southern Europe. And it's also fun;)

Also read

Chestnut basin of France - Ardèche – image 1
Places to visit
Chestnut basin of France - Ardèche
Ardèche is a French department famous for the oldest vineyard in the country and works of cave art. It is situated in the south-eastern part of the country. Chauvet's Grotto, discovered at the end of the last century, is not open to tourists - the wall drawings can only be admired by scientists - but this does not change the fact that the region is a tasty treat for thrill-seekers. The term "tasty morsel" in the case of Ardèche is absolutely appropriate. The department, located in the Rhône-Alpes region, is famous not only for the attractions you can see, but also for its delicious cuisine and excellent wine. Nowadays, the products of local wineries are known as part of the second wine region of France after Bordeaux - Côtes du Rhône. The vineyards that enter it stretch on both banks of the Rhône in a 250 km long strip. Ardèche, as one of the six departments of the region, is the heart of the area. What can we taste after arriving in this wine paradise? It is definitely worth getting acquainted with chateauneuf du pape with its root and spice dominance, as well as saint-joseph with the tart taste of forest fruits (red), fragrant with iris and rose (white). Red cornas is also worth attention, rich but wild, definitely not for everyone, and certainly not for lovers of delicate flavors. They should reach for the light, sparkling white Saint-Péray. Ardèche cuisine is aromatic, colorful and rich. It tastes of chestnuts - the region's dishes include a strongly herbal caillete with chestnut purée, pork stewed with chestnuts, duck breasts with chestnut porridge and figs, and also candied chestnuts. While traveling through the villages of the Côtes du Vivarais (southern part of the Rhône), it is worth trying aromatic scrambled eggs with truffles.