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Marseille. With 1.6 million people in its urban area, Marseille is the second most populated city of France the biggest Mediterranean port and the economic center of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Map. Directions.
Marseille or Marseilles (French Marseille, Occitan Marselha or Marsiho) is the prefecture of the French department of Bouches-du-Rhône and of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Situated in the Provence region of southern France, it is located on the coast of the Gulf of Lion, part of the Mediterranean Sea, near the mouth of the Rhône river.
Dec 18, 2023 · Find various maps of Marseille, the second largest city in France, located on the Mediterranean coast. Explore the city centre, tourist attractions, metro, tram, beaches and surroundings with online maps.
- Overview
- Physical and human geography
Marseille is the capital city of the Bouches-du-Rhône département in southern France. It is also the administrative and commercial capital of the Provence–Alpes–Côte d’Azur région.
What is Marseille known for?
Marseille is known for many things but primarily for its unique culture and cuisine, including the garlic- and saffron-flavoured fish stew called bouillabaisse.
What is the geographic landscape of Marseille like?
Marseille lies in a depression sheltered by a semicircle of limestone hills, which have inhibited the development of suburbs. Its natural harbour allowed it to become a major port.
What kinds of industry is Marseille known for?
The character of Marseille has been determined to a great extent by geographic location. Its natural harbour, sheltered by a semicircle of limestone hills on the Gulf of Lion and close to the estuary of the Rhône River, offered its first settlers the prospect of linking the Mediterranean seaways with northern Europe across a land that, in classical times, was made largely impassable by forests. The trading port founded by Greeks from the city of Phocaea about 600 bce was to attract both settlers and visitors. The first of these account for a heterogeneous population and the second for services designed to cater to seamen and merchants. Marseille has the oldest chamber of commerce in France, established in 1599. It is a city of mosques and synagogues, besides many varieties of Christian churches. Its bars and brothels have been a magnet for dishonest dealings, and its waterfront still evokes the romance of a gateway to distant lands.
The city’s most enduring characteristic, however, has been its readiness to welcome change. Its architecture preserves few vestiges of the past. Some landmarks, such as the transporter bridge that crossed the Old Port (Vieux-Port) and the Panier district north of the harbour, were destroyed by the German occupation forces in 1943 and 1944, during World War II. But more change has been wrought by the Marseillais themselves. Despite the legend that attaches to them, they are an unsentimental people open to new ideas.
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The MICHELIN Marseille map: Marseille town maps, road map and tourist map, with MICHELIN hotels, tourist sites and restaurants for Marseille.
The map shows a city map of Marseille with expressways, main roads and streets, zoom out to find Marseille Provence Airport ( IATA code: MRS) located in Marignane, the largest suburb of the city of Marseille, about 25 km by road (via A55) northwest of the city's Central Business District.
