Marseille - The Oldest City in France |
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Written by Douglas Scott
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Sunday, 06 May 2007 |
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 Marseille is not only Frances oldest city but one of its proudest. One of the
citys greatest assets is the wild natural beauty that surrounds it, countless
beaches, shaggy islands a superb marine life and eerily beautiful chalky. In the
time of the French colonies, Marseilles was the gateway to the Mediterranean.
Today it remains the capital of southern Europe, cosmopolitan and exuberant,
with its picturesque old port, its Bouillabaisse and its folklore.
During World War Two, Marseille was bombed by the Italians and the Germans in
1940. The city was occupied by Germans and over one third of the old quarter of
the city was destroyed.
The fashion centre is found along cours Julien,
where you will find dozens of boutiques and retailers. Much of the clothing
reflects North African influences, although there is a vast array of French
styles as well.
Marseilles night life has something for everyone, with
plenty of live rock and jazz, as well as the more choice pastimes of theatre,
concert and opera going. The most animated night life is to be found around
place Jean Jaures, with plenty of bars to choose from and live music to listen
to.
Restaurant goers are in for a treat in Marseille. The city is home to
some of the countrys best cooking and for those who like their food rustic or
fishy or both, this is the place to come.
The fish market in the old port
is the hub of Marseille life. The Fishermen in Marseille leave the port between
three and four oclock in the morning to get their catch of the day, a couple of
hours later they set up stands all along the front of the port and sell fresh
fish. This market trades throughout the morning but many pack up between 10am
and 11am.
The Old Port filled with fishing boats and yachts, and
surrounded by small streets teeming with seafood restaurants and shops. The wide
quais are popular places for leisurely strolling, and the many terrace cafes
opposite provide handy rest stops.
The main tourist attraction in
Marseille is the Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde and is located on a hilltop to
the south of Vieux Port, the 19th century Romano Byzantine style basilica is a
huge gilded statue of the Virgin stands majestically on top of the 60 meter high
belfry of the basilica. Tourist can enjoy breathtaking sunset views from here
Article
Source: http://www.articlepostings.com
Douglas Scott works for The Car Hire
Specialist. and is a free lance writer for The French Rental
Site
Photograph by Arnaud mathon
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 05 January 2008 )
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