Tucked neatly on France's southern coast, equidistant between Montpellier and Nice, the port town of Marseille is the oldest city in France and one of the oldest towns in Western Europe.
People Also Ask
Founded c. 600 BC by Greek settlers from Phocaea, Marseille is the oldest city in France, as well as one of Europe's oldest continuously inhabited settlements. It was known to the ancient Greeks as Massalia (Greek: ?assa??a, romanized: Massalía) and to Romans as Massilia.
Marseille is a city of contrasts, with both ancient history and modern architecture. The famous Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica, which overlooks the city, is one of Marseille's most famous landmarks. The city is also home to modern architectural marvels like the CMA CGM Tower, one of the tallest buildings in France.
However, for the Parisian impressionists who sought out Marseille and its environs, this local artistic world held very little interest for them. Perhaps one of Marseille's most enduring and most stereotypical “imaginaries” is that it is a wicked city, a landscape defined by vice, by trash, and by outsiders.
As with any large city, shady areas are best avoided, and women still have to take extra care of their safety, especially when going out at night. Avoid walking alone after dark, and be alert when strolling the streets.