France

MARSEILLE

Marseille is the second largest city in France. It is also the main French and the third largest European port city. This port is a natural harbour and has been serving thousands of years. With the opening of the Suez Canal, it became even more significance. About 800,000 inhabitants live in the city of. It is located on the Golfe du Lion. This is a Mediterranean bay. Through this special situation prevails Marseille a pleasant Mediterranean climate. The city belongs to the Bouches-du-Rhone in the region famous and beautiful Provence-Alpes-C te d Azur. Of course, there are not just commercial vessels. Also, the daily passenger ferries connect the ends of the city with the Maghreb (North Africa). Moreover, the old port Vieux Port is still used.

In addition to the usual means of transport has Marseille tram and subway. The tram is linking the city with, among the others, Vienna. Furthermore, Marseille has (French briefly: TGV) the high-speed train M diterran e. It can reach 300 km / h and the journey, for example, to Paris (distance: 800 km), thus only lasts three hours. The international airport Marseille Provence Airport is located 20 km northwest of Marseille (the city Marignane).
For the most part, the kitchen of Marseille is Provencal. But due to immigration, it was also influenced, and the Mediterranean cuisine is also entered. In this port city, fish has a big importance. For example, saumon fum or the famous bouillabaisse, are specials of this city. The hearty bouillabaisse consists of several varieties of fish, vegetables, saffron, mussels and prawns. In Marseille, everything which comes from the sea is actually getting to a delicacy. Because - as in France - only fresh ingredients are be used.

Marseille has countless many famous writers, politicians and athletes and numerous artists. Eric Cantona and Zin dine Zidane are world famous soccer players who were born in Marseille. Marius Petipa was a ballet dancer and choreographer from the early 20th Century. D sir e Clary was the fianc e of Napoleon Bonaparte and later the Queen of Norway and Sweden. The states man Louis Adolphe Thiers also lived during the time of Napoleon Bonaparte. Honor Daumier, painter from the 19th Century, created many beautiful works, which today in the world are issued. Today Marseille is, so to speak, the town of French hip-hop.

Attractions of the city include:
-- The beautiful, neo-Byzantine-style church of Notre-Dame de la Garde from the year 1864,
-- The Massif des Calanques with fabulous view, the sea, bay and landscape,

-- The p tanque tournament. Mondial Marseille la P tanque is a skill game. The largest p tanque tournament in the world takes every year place in Marseille.
-- Operas, moto championships, exhibitions and many other regional attractions can be followed.