Population:City of Marseille: 808,700Metropolitan area of Marseille:1200,000Avignon: 85,937Nimes: 144,600
Currency:1 Euro (EUR) = 100 cents
Opening hours:Normal opening hours for shopsare 10am to 7pm Monday toSaturday. Reduced hours or shutSunday.
Internet:www.marseille-tourisme.comwww.provenceguide.comwww.provence-resa.com
Newspapers:La ProvenceMarseille L’HebdoMarseille PlusLe MondeLe Figaro
Emergency numbers:Ambulance_ 15Police: 17Fire: 18Poisoning +33 (0) 4 91 75 25 25
Tourist information:Office de Tourisme et des Congrèsde Marseille4, La Canebière, in the centreOpening Times: Monday –Saturday 09.00-19.00Sunday/Public Holidays10.00-17.00Tel: +33 (0)4 91 13 89 00www.marseille-tourisme.comAvignon Tourist OfficeCours Jean Jaurès, town centreOpening times: Mon - Sat. Also on
PROVENCEPUBLISHING DATE: 2007-11-01 | COUNTRY CODE: FRContents: The City, Do & See, Eating, Cafés, Shopping, Sleeping, EssentialInformation, Maps
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PROVENCEMarseille is the region’s capital, a hidden pearl buried in theheart of the French Mediterranean coastline. The rockyProvencal hills plunge down towards the ancient port and thethousands of boats anchored in its clear, blue waters.France’s second city boasts beautiful beaches, ancientmonuments, and a busy and varied night life.
Less than an hour’s drive away, Vaucluse is a corner ofparadise, the real inland kingdom of Provence: there areprotected natural areas between Mont Ventoux and Luberon,hilltop villages of which seven are among the Most BeautifulVillages in France, vast expanses of vines and lavender, andoutstanding monuments like those in Orange or Avignon,listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
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THE CITY #THECITY#
Founded by Phocaean Greeks 2,600 yearsago, Marseille is France’s oldest town, amelting pot of different races and culturesand a gateway to southern Europe andNorth Africa. Today, the city is stilldependent on the port for its revenue andis dominated by fishing boats and peopleselling the day’s fresh produce. Marseille iscut in half by La Canebière, one of themain shopping streets, which runs west toeast from the vieux port. The city isdivided into 15 arrondissements, rangingfrom gentrified to run-down, and is famedfor its fish-dominated culinary menu andits potent aniseed tipple, pastis. Numerouslittle shops and boutiques clutter the smallstreets in Le Panier, the oldest part ofMarseille, whilst the trendy spots arelocated in the south around the bohemianarea of Cours Julien and Place Jean-Jaurès.The exclusivity increases as you headfurther south to the corniche and Prado,the city’s best beach, with three kilometresof sand.
DO & SEE #DOANDSEE#
Basilique Notre Dame De La GardeTowering on a hilltop 154 metres abovethe city stands the defining symbol ofMarseille – the gilded statue of the VirginMary stretching skywards. Stunning views.
Address: Place du Colonel EdonUnderground: Buses 60 from cours Jean Ballard in the vieux portInternet: www.notredamedelagarde.com
Château D’ifFrance’s very own Alcatraz, built in 1527and a prison by the 17th century. It wasthe inspiration for Alexandre Dumas’ novel“The Count of Monte Cristo”.
Address: Château d’If, L’Archipel du FrioulUnderground: Boat leaving from the quai des Belges (vieux port)
Musée D’histoire De MarseilleThe museum has artefacts stretching backto the foundation of the city.
Address: Square Belsunce - Centre BourseUnderground: Transport: Métro Vieux PortPhone: +33 (0)4 91 90 42 22
Prado BeachLocated at the end of the corniche isMarseille’s main sand beach. With a steadybreeze the beach is excellent for kite-flyingor a first windsurfing lesson.
Address: Plage du Prado, near Avenue Pierre MendèsUnderground: Métro Rond Point du Prado then Bus 19, 72, 83.Bus 83 from vieux port.
Parc BorélyStunning 40 hectare park situated nearPrado beach. As well as the 18th centurychateau, there are the superbly well
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maintained English, French and botanicalgardens and a rowing lake.
Address: Avenue du Parc BorélyUnderground: Métro Rond Point du PradoPhone: +33 (0)4 91 76 59 38
Musée Des Docks RomainsSituated on the site of a Roman dockswarehouse discovered after the war, thereare a range of impressive artefacts ondisplay.
Address: 4, Place VivauxUnderground: Métro Vieux PortPhone: +33 (0)4 91 91 24 62
Abbaye Saint-victorMarseille’s oldest church, the abbey is builtby the graves of Marseille’s first martyrs.
Address: Rue de l’AbbayeUnderground: Buses 81, 55, 80 from the vieux portPhone: +33 (0)4 96 11 22 60Internet: www.saintvictor.net
Vieux Port Fish MarketArrive early, from 8am, for the freshestfish, often still wriggling. The sights andsmells are worth seeing even if you don’twant to buy!
Address: Quai des BelgesUnderground: Métro Vieux Port
La Cité RadieusePioneering modernist block of flats,designed in 1946 and completed in 1952.Each apartment is unique.
Address: Unité d’habitation Le Corbusier (Cité Radieuse),Boulevard MicheletUnderground: Métro Rond Point du Prado
EATING #EATING#
Marseille has a culinary menu heavilyinfluenced by its surroundings. Fishdominates, and one dish in particular –bouillabaisse. This fish soup combines avariety of fish with saffron, fennel andorange zest. It is served with rouille, agarlic and chilli-flavoured mayonnaise.Olive oil, herbs and fresh fruit andvegetables are also abundant parts ofMarseille cuisine.
Le MiramarIn the heart of the vieux port with all theother up-market fish restaurants, LeMiramar has established a reputation asbeing the place to go for bouillabaisse. LaVraie Bouillabaisse ‘Miramar’ costs €55 perperson
Address: 12, Quai du PortUnderground: Métro Vieux PortInternet: www.bouillabaisse.com
Le FermeAn oasis of calm in the centre of Marseille,the interior is beautifully decorated withfrescos and pastel tones.
Address: 23, rue SainteUnderground: Métro Vieux PortInternet: www.laferme-marseille.com
Les ArcenaulxA diverse crowd throng to this intellectualrestaurant that also functions as abookshop, salon de thé and a Provencalproduce seller. Dishes include the classicFilet de bœuf “Rossini” and set menus start
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at €25.
Address: 25, cours Estienne d’OrvesUnderground: Métro Vieux PortInternet: www.les-arcenaulx.com
La Cloche À FromageIf you like cheese and a lot of it, then thisis heaven. As well as an abundance offromages there are ten types of housebread and plenty of regional wines.
Address: 27, cours Estienne d’OrvesUnderground: Métro Vieux Port
Lemon GrassColourful and inventive fusion cuisine suchas ravioli with foie gras and tomato confitand shelled lobster in a curry sauce.
Address: 8, Rue Fort Notre DameUnderground: Métro Vieux PortInternet: www.lemon-grass-marseille.com
Le ZincThe latest trendy venue for Marseille’shipsters, this restaurant combinestraditional food with a stylish, minimalistdecor.
Address: 182, Rue du RouetUnderground: Métro Rond Point du PradoInternet: www.le-zinc.com
Le Petit Nice PassedatProbably Marseille’s best eatery, andboasting two Michelin stars, thisdelightfully modern haute-cuisine firmlyrooted in southern Europe is worth payingfor.
Address: Anse de Maldormé, Corniche John Fitzgerald KennedyUnderground: Métro Rond Point du PradoInternet: www.passedat.fr
La Cantine Du MarseillaisMarseille cuisine with an Italian influence.Everyone seems to know each other here,creating a great atmosphere.
Address: 13, Rue GlandevèsUnderground: Métro Rond Point du Prado
Chez MichelTraditional, old school cooking and another
extremely good establishment forbouillabaisse. The fish is even presented toyou before cooking.
Address: Anse des CatalansUnderground: Métro Vieux Port
CAFÉS #CAFES#
Le Pain QuotidienWelcoming café which has local productscluttered inside and inviting al frescowooden tables. The café also doubles as arestaurant and boulangerie.
Address: 18, Place aux HuilesUnderground: Métro Vieux PortInternet: www.lepainquotidien.f
Le Pavillon Du LacThe best place to have a tranquil cup ofcoffee, nestled in the grounds of ParcBorély.
Address: Parc BorélyUnderground: Métro Rond Point du Prado
Torréfaction NoaillesThis is a hard place to miss with itsintriguing exterior and retro inside. Servinga host of coffees from all over the world,this is the place to sample great coffee.
Address: 56, La CanebièreUnderground: Métro Vieux Port
Café De La BanqueClassic Parisian-style café and bistro thatseems unchanged by time.
Address: 24 Boulevard Paul PeytralUnderground: Métro Estrangin-Préfecture
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Café ParisienA fun place with lots going on and a goodfood menu. The place has less of anold-fashioned touch since recentmodernisation.
Address: 1, Place Sadi-CarnotUnderground: Métro Vieux Port
SHOPPING #SHOPPING#
Marseille’s main shopping areas are in thecentre and southern parts of town andcater to all tastes, from Côte D’Azur luxuryand large department stores to quirky littleboutiques and stores.
The Centre Bourse, a massive shoppingcentre a stone’s throw away from the vieuxport, is a great place for getting all yourshopping done under the same roof. Southof the shopping centre is La Canebière,which is to Marseille what the ChampsElysées is to Paris. Combined with rueFerréol, rue de Rome and rue de Paradis,they make up the major shopping area inthe city and include local and nationaldesigner stores. Rue de la Tour is yourbest bet for serious designer luxury,including chic evening wear at Diable Noir.
If you want smaller shops then head to theCours Julien area which has built up areputation as an alternative, bohemianquarter. The area is also great for food andantique markets at weekends.
Le Panier, Marseille’s oldestneighbourhood, is the best place for localproduce. Rue des Petits Puits and places
des Pistoles are good streets for Provencalpottery and shops selling lavender soapand olive based goodies. La Maison dePastis, with 65 different pastis andabsinthes as well as a tasting room, isworth stumbling across and then out of.
SLEEPING #SLEEPING#
EXCLUSIVELe Petit Nice PassédatThe most exclusive hotel in Marseille withtwo separate villas round the coast fromthe centre. Views gaze out on the Châteaud’If and chef, Gerald Passedat, has twoMichelin stars.
Address: Anse de Maldormé, Corniche John Fitzgerald KennedyUnderground: Métro Rond Point du PradoPhone: + 33 (0)4 91 59 25 92Internet: www.passedat.fr
GOOD VALUENew Hotel Vieux-portStylish, modern looking hotel whose roomshave tastefully designed African and Asianthemes. The view looking out over thevieux port is stunning.
Address: 3bis rue Reine-ElisabethUnderground: Métro Vieux PortPhone: +33 (0)4 91 99 23 23Internet: www.new-hotel.com/vieuxport/en/
BASICLe RyadExcellent Moroccan-style hotel that hasstylish rooms and a lovely outside patio forearly evening drinks. There are only tenrooms, adding to the intimacy.
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Address: 16 rue Sénac de MeilhanUnderground: Métro NoaillesPhone: +33 (0)4 91 47 74 54Internet: www.leryad.fr
Hotel Le CorbusierOn one of the floors of pioneering 1950smodernist building La Cité Radieuse andoffering spectacular views of themountains and the Marseille sprawl.
Address: 280, Boulevard MicheletUnderground: Métro Rond Point du PradoPhone: +33 (0)4 91 16 78 00Internet: www.hotellecorbusier.com
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Public transportThe best way to get around in Marseille isby using the very efficient metro systemwhich runs between 6am and 9pm. Withtwo lines, it is part of a wider Marseillepublic transport network (RTM) whichincludes buses which run later. Ticketprices start at €1,60 for a single, whichalso allows you to travel freely on thenetwork up to an hour after validating theticket. Another useful ticket is the CarteGroupe for four to 12 people, which makesa single journey cheaper the more peopletravel. A day travelcard, called a CarteJournée, costs €4,50 and allows you tomake as many journeys as you like on theRTM network.
www.rtm.fr
TaxiThe minimum charge for a Marseille taxi is€5,50 which charges at €1,90 a kilometre.
Remember that you will be charged forsuitcases, unless hand luggage. There are98 taxi stations in Marseille, 31 of whichcan be phoned. In the 1er arrondissementthe stations are at rue Bailly de Suffren(+33 (0)4 91 33 03 60) and rueEspérandieu (+33 (0)4 91 64 14 00) Taxiscan be ordered on the following numbers:
Taxi Radio Marseille (24 hours 7 days) +33(0)4 91 02 20 20 www.taximarseille.com
Taxi Plus Marseillais (24 hours 7 days) +33(0)4 91 03 60 03
Taxis Tupp +33 (0) 91 05 80 80www.taxis-tupp.com
Taxis du Soleil +33 (0)4 44 44 44
PharmacyNo one pharmacy open 24 hours but takeit in turns, advertised in local press.
Dentist24 hour emergency service. TelephoneSOS Dentiste on +33 (0)4 91 85 39 39 orUrgence Dentiste on +33 (0)4 91 64 23 23
Telephone and ElectricityCountry code: +33
Area code: (0)4
/ 220 Volts
MARSEILLE & AVIGNONAirportsMarseille Provence Airport is located 30kilometres from the town centre. A shuttlebus runs between the airport andMarseille’s train station, Gare SaintCharles, every 20 minutes, starting at6.10am and running until 10.50pm. Afterthis buses are scheduled to tie in witharriving flights. Buses run from the trainstation to the airport every 20 minutes,from 5.30am to 9.50pm. A one-way ticketcosts €8,50 a journey-time is roughly 25minutes. Reduced prices for groups and
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children. The journey will cost around €40by taxi during the day and €50 at night.
www.mrsairport.com/eng/index.jsp
The Marseille Provence Airport is less than100 km from Avignon.
Trains leave from Marseille St CharlesStation. There are buses with directconnections operated by Terravision (8turnarounds a day) from MP2 airport toCavaillon and Avignon. If you go by car it’sautoroute A7, take Cavaillon / Avignon /Orange exit.
#ESSENTIALINFORMATION#
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