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Bookmark & shareFrance's angry teen has become, at last, the belle of the ball.
The cosmopolitan port of Marseille (sometimes known as 'Marseilles') is not only France's oldest city but one of its proudest. From its groundbreaking rap music to its ubiquitous football team, from its ancient traditions to its modern and dynamic cultural life, this is truly a city like no other.
Since its founding 26 centuries ago by the Greeks of Phocaea, Marseille has always been proud of being different. One of the city's greatest assets is the wild natural beauty that surrounds it: shaggy islands, countless beaches, a superb marine life and eerily beautiful chalky fjords.
Fast Facts
Population
798,430
Currency
Name: Euro
Code: EUR
Symbol: €
Electrical Plugs
230V 50Hz
Languages Spoken
Official: French
Time Zones
GMT/UTC +1
Country Dialing Code
+33
Weights & Measures
Metric
Related Travel Stories
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First 24 Hours: Marseille
article by Donna Wheeler, November 2006
Don’t waste a single crumb on your first day in Marseille. Read the full article ›
Tags: Eating & Drinking • Cities • Culture • France • Marseille
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