Marseille
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General Information
Other Name: -, District: NA, State: Provence Alpes Azur, France
Area: 0 -
Languages Spoken: French
Long Distance Code: -
Importance: -
Best Time to Visit: - to - and All year around.
International Access: -Description
Marseille,is the second-largest city of France and forms the third-largest metropolitan area, after those of Paris and Lyon.Marseille is France`s largest commercial port.Marseille is a modern, cosmopolitan city that offers exciting nightclubs, fabulous restaurants, a variety of theaters, an international soccer stadium, and more than twenty museums. The heart of the city is Vieux Port, which enables visitors to glimpse the bustling activity along streets such as La Canebiere. Popular tourist sites include the old quarter of Panier, Palaise de Longchamp, the Cathedral of the Major, the ruins of Jardin, and the 19th-century Notre Dame de la Garde.It also stands as the economic hub of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d`Azur district.Today it is a regional centre for culture and entertainment with its important opera house, its historical and maritime museums, its five art galleries and numerous cinemas, clubs, bars and restaurants.Location
Located on the south east coast of France on the Mediterranean Sea.Climate
Mediterranean climate.
Situated on the southern bank of the Vieux-Port above the dry dock, this abbey founded in the 5th century on the tomb of an ancient Christian martyr played an important role in Christianity''s development in the Mediterranean between the 11th and 18th centuries. In the 14th century, Pope Urbain V oversaw its fortification. The abbey''s crypt and catacombs, which contain a number of ancient sarcophagi, are open to visitors, whilst its excellent acoustics make it the perfect venue for the religious and classical music concerts held here on a regular basis.
For those captivated by the calanques, the rocky inlets that define Marseilles'' coastline, Morgiou can be found betweeen Sormiou and Le Sugiton in the far south of the city heading towards Cassis. Starting from Luminy University car park you can enjoy long walks through the wild and uncultivated landscape, until you reach one of the most beautiful views of the calanques, with their turquoise waters and little chalets perched on the rocks.
At the crossroads of Rue de Rome, Boulevard Baille and Avenues Jules Cantini and du Prado, you will find Place Castellane. In the center of the square stands a monumental fountain, presented to the city by mason Jules Cantini and given shape by Marseillaise sculptor Allar in 1911. The Rhône, the Mediterranean, the Source and the Torrent are all represented on the pedestal in order to depict the journey of the River Rhône from its source to the Mediterranean. On top of the pedestal is a statue to symbolize Marseille itself.
This magnificent 54-hectare park to the south of the city was designed by landscape gardener Alphan. Water is a major feature here, with beautiful ponds and lakes throughout. An 18th century country house stands in the heart of this open space, complimented beautifully by a garden "à la française" and a 19th century landscaped park. Other points of interest include botanical gardens with a rose garden and tropical greenhouse. Children love coming here to feed the ducks, take the go-carts for a spin, or watch the model boats sailing on the lake.
Gifted to Napoleon III by Marseilles, this area of land, set on the Maure promontory overlooking the Château d''If (famous for its prison) and the entrance to the Vieux-Port, enabled the emperor to fulfil his plans for a waterfront residence. Built by architects Lefuel and Vaucher between 1858 and 1870, Napoleon''s wife, empress Eugenie de Montijo, bequeathed the palace to the city in 1883. A 900-seater auditorium and several halls have been built beneath the garden.
The Palais Longchamp - designed by architect Esperandieu - was built in conjunction with the construction of the canal in 1839. The arrival of water from the Durance in 1849 allowed the town to supply the new districts to the east.Today, the waterfalls, ornamental lakes, fountains and numerous sculptures give this enchanting place an Italian Renaissance feel. Housing Marseilles'' Fine Arts Museum in its left wing and the Natural History Museum in the right.It is a masterpiece every visitor should visit this beautiful masterpiece.