Marseille
Next to Paris and Lyon, Marseille is the most populous commune in France and the second largest in terms of land area. Located on the shores of the Mediterranean coast, Marseille is one of the oldest cities in Europe and is listed as a major centre of art and history. It is an excellent destination for student travelers as this city presently finds itself fashionable in different aspects, without abandoning anything of its rich history. Just make sure to get the cheapest student airline ticket before flying to Marseille for a guaranteed enjoyable trip!
- Pictures |
- Things to do |
- Nightlife |
- Dining |
- Shopping |
- Travel tips
Marseille Pictures
Things to do in Marseille
Marseille may not be as extravagant as Paris, but it has its own unique features and definitely has a lot to offer. One must-go place is the nineteenth-century basilica of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde where you can get a wonderful view of the city. Another interesting spot in Marseille is the Château d’If, which is a wildly romantic small island off the city known from the novel of Alexander Dumas, the Count of Monte Cristo. You can ride a tourist boat going to the island, and the amazing sights from the broad terrace alone are worth the trip.
Nightlife in Marseille
In Marseille, going out for an ice cream is almost as popular as going out for drink as most bars are also ice cream parlors. Marseille has an active live music and club scene. It is recommended that you stop by Vieux Port and Place Thiars, and the Escale Borély, as they are known to be the best areas for nightlife in the city. You can also head to L’Affranchi if you want to sample Marseille’s renowned hip hop scene. Most bars and clubs in the city cater to students as Marseille is an important university center.
Dining in Marseille
Marseille isn’t really a capital of gastronomy. However, it has its own culinary art de vivre (art of living), and its cuisine includes mostly typical dishes, bouillabaisse being the most famous. If you don’t want to spend much on food, you can go to the numerous Kebab restaurants along the Cannebiere, or you can also go to the famous Bar de L’Hotel de Ville (on the Vieux Port, left of the City Hall) as it offers friendly service and good yet affordable food and wine.
Shopping in Marseille
The Vieux Port is the place to be if you want to go shopping in Marseille, where boutiques and stores abound. The local fashion industry of Marseille is flourishing—with much of the clothing being of North African influence. You can also visit cours Julien where you’ll find dozens of boutiques. For a souvenir, you can bring back home the famous Marseille soap (savon de Marseille) or some carved wooden/clay crèche figurines. Most souvenir shops are found along the pedestrian rue St-Féréol.
Marseille travel tips
- You can find Marseille’s tourist information outlet in the Vieux Port area.
- French is the official language and it’s an advantage if you can learn some basic French words.
- It is always advised that you have to be extra careful when you go out at night as there are some muggers that target tourists.
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