France's third largest city is also the country's oldest, founded by the Phoenicians in 600BC, then developed by the Romans as a trading post, before growing around the commercial port and the local industry, soap (the famous ‘savon de Marseille') between the 15th and 19th centuries.

Once notorious for its crime rate and rough edges, Marseille has recently cleaned up its act. But it has lost none of its character, and is an excellent cruise port, attracting many ships each year.

Its booming music and fashion industries draw a trendy young crowd, and it is a lively, buzzing city.

The Greeks (they called it Massalia) used Marseille as a base for their colonisation of the Rhône Valley. Today, it is France's most important commercial port on the Mediterranean, and offers the cruise ship passenger a rich sightseeing experience. Its historic forts, among them Château d'If, one of the most notorious of France's historic island fortresses made famous by Dumas in The Count of Monte Cristo, are a major highlight.

Highlights
• Vieux Port (Old Port)
• The hilltop church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde
• Musée d'Histoire (History Museum)
• Le Corbusier's Unité d'Habitation (highly influential modernist housing)
• Hospice de la Vieille Charité (Old Charity Hospital)
• Château d'If

Marseille Tourist Office
4 la Canebière, 13001 Marseille, France
Tel: +33 4911 38900.
Web: www.marseille-tourisme.com

Cruise into Marseille and discover Provençal handicrafts, santons (nativity figures), navettes (orange-flavoured boat-shaped biscuits), soap, Provençal herbs, Marseillottes (chocolate biscuits with almond and orange peel), and cloths featuring brightly coloured Provençal patterns.

Don't miss bouillabaisse, the classic Marseillaise fish soup. It is totally unique, and utterly delicious. Otherwise, the city is located in the region of Provence and typical local cuisine incorporates plenty of garlic, olives, tomatoes and tasty vegetables like courgettes and peppers.

Marseille is on the Mediterranean coast so it's very warm in the summer and rarely cold in winter. Light clothing is perfect at most times of year.

France

GMT + 1.

Euro (€) = 100 cents.

French.

Provence, southern France.

1.6 million.

Republic since 1792.

Majority Roman Catholic with minority Protestant, Muslim, Jewish or of no faith.

Shaking hands and, more familiarly, kissing both cheeks, are the usual forms of greeting. The form of personal address is simply Monsieur or Madame without a surname and it may take time to get on first-name terms.

Tipping: A 12 to 15% service charge is normally added to the bill in hotels, restaurants and bars, but it is customary to leave small change with the payment.