Cheap Hotels Marseille
What to see by foot: Marseille
    
France's second-largest city, Marseille, is both tough and lively, with a large
cosmopolitan population. Offering the most impressive views over Vieux Port is
the Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde, which stands on a hill at 154m and dominates
the city. The Romanesque-Byzantine style basilica dates from 1853 and is noted
for its fantastically decorated dome and bell tower, surmounted by a gilded statue
of the Virgin Mary.
Vieux Port is now mainly devoted to pleasure craft and tour boats, but still
has an excellent fish market and good restaurants. The 13th century Bas Fort
St Nicholas, built by the Knights Templar, stands guard over the entrance, and
beyond, in the bay, is the formidable prison of Château d'If.
Near the port is the most famous street, La Canebière, a bustling thoroughfare
full of restaurants and seedy bars. Other notable buildings in the town include
the Vieille Charité, a restored 17th century hospice with a beautiful
domed chapel; and the Basilique St Victor, a fortified abbey founded in the
5th century.
Marseille is also known for its modern architecture, including: the famous
Cité Radieuse built by Le Corbusier, and, most recently, Will Alsop's
bright blue government building, built on stilts. The Cantini Museum is entirely
devoted to modern art and is a must-see.
The Marseillaise eat just as well as the celebrities of the Riviera. Seafood
is the foundation of many dishes, and the choice of restaurants is staggering.
The exciting nightlife has something for everyone, with plenty of live rock
and jazz, as well as seedy entertainment. Theatre, opera and concert performances
are also in abundance.
Selection of hotels in this region:
Mercure Marseille Prado | | Holiday Inn Marseille | |
Click below for a
full list of hotels and online booking
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