Marseille knows no intermediate tones. Either you love the oldest city in France or you hate it. The city (800 000 pop) at one of the most beautiful bays of the Mediterranean Sea is a huge melting pot of almost all nations of the earth. The high-speed train TGV, arrives in Marseilles in three hours from Paris, that makes that the property prices explode. Marseille is already a while the cultural center of the South of France. And since the 1998 World Cup is Marseille, with its beautiful beaches which are surprisingly clean sea also a tourist destination.

Old Town The Vieux Port, the Old Port, has been for two and a half millennia the heart of Marseille and is the starting point for exploring the city. Every morning takes the fish market on the Quai des Belges place. From the striking tower, the Clocher of Accoules, you can go on stairs up to the Place des Moulins, the center of the district, in the middle of the city has still rural character.

Belsunce The immigrant neighborhood around the Arc de Triomphe, the triumphal arch is from the 19th century, which the locals call the Porte d'Aix, with its bazaars and shops it is a piece of North Africa.

Château d'If and Frioulislands The Count of Monte Christo is the most famous prisoner of the small island If.

Cours Julien The district, until the seventies, the big vegetable market of Marseille, is with its cafes, restaurants and fashion shops the meeting place for the younger generation.

Docks de la Joliette A symbol for the recovery of Marseille. The warehouses is rebuild in the nineties of the british model from the 19th century to a huge office building with cafes and restaurants.

Gardens and Parks Over 300 gardens, parks and smaller gardens in the provide alternation.

Cathedral For the construction of the monstrous new cathedral La Major (Place de la Major) from the 19th century in the north of the Old Harbor is the old Major's Cathedral, one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches in the South, almost destroyed, but now lovingly restored.

Vallon des Auffes/ Malmousque In the middle of the city a fishing port looking like a picture. Another surprising quarter with a mini beach is Malmousque.

shopping The old boulevard La Canebière has lost much of its beauty. Better shopping streets are rue Paradis and rue Grignan. Who likes chocolate, even if its with olive oil or cooked with onions, should go to La Chocolaterie ( 4, place des Treize-Cantons).

food                                                                                                                                                                           Les Arcenaulx Dining between books in a warehouse from the 17th century a few steps away from the Old Port. Sun/Mon closed. 25, cours d'Estienne-d'Orvers                                                                                                                                           Coquillages Toinou The locals are not fooled. Nowhere you can eat fresher and better seafood. There is no single hot dish. daily. 3, cours Saint-Louis                                                                                                                                                           La Grotte Here is the end of Marseille and the beginning of the Calanques. In the last inhabited bay of the city, the former pizzeria became a real restaurant. daily. Calanque de Callelongue                                                                                                      Les Trois Forts Very good kitchen by Dominique Frérard in a hotel, in the night is the most beautiful view over the old port offered. daily. 36, boulevard Livon

where to stay                                                                                                                                                              New Hotel Vieux Port One of the four houses, the Marseille group in their home city operates. In the center, some of the original furnished rooms having views to the old harbor. 42 rooms. 3, rue Reine Elisabeth.                                                                      Peron Directly on the beach with a panoramic view of the islands. The rooms are slightly outdated and kitschy, the restaurant, however, is already renovated. 28 rooms. 119, corniche Kennedy                                                                                            La Petite Maison A prime example of the dozens of chambres d'hotes in the city. Guesthouse in a quiet location above the Corniche Kennedy with a beautiful garden. 3 rooms. 5, rue des Flots Bleus

Trains The TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) needs from Paris to Marseille only 3 hours.

Plane The airport of Marseille, apart from large international connections is a hub for low-cost airlines.