United Kingdom to Marseille
The third largest city in France after Paris and Lyon, Marseille (sometimes spelled Marseilles in the UK) is rapidly becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Heathrow and Gatwick Airports in London serve the city with multiple departures every day. The city’s main airport, Marseille Provence Airport, is the fourth most trafficked airport in the whole of France. Business travelers and tourists alike crowd its terminals. Once travelers disembark at the airport, they enjoy excellent local public transportation.
It is located on the south east coast of France on the Mediterranean Sea and is the largest commercial port in the country. The old port area that was popular prior to the’70s oil crisis has been redeveloped with an investment from the European Union.
The old port area is now home to restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels and other businesses and is primarily used as a private marina. The new port area is north of the old port area, and 100 million tons of freight passes through this port each year. The majority of the freight is petroleum. It is a major center for trade and industry with excellent transportation infrastructure, including its port, airport and roads. It is one of the main entry points into France, making it popular with immigrants, especially those from Italy, Spain and Greece.
With its location on the Mediterranean Sea, Marseille has mild winters and hot summers. The coldest months of the year are January and February, with July and August being the area?s hottest months. Harsh, cold winds blow into the city from the Alps in the winter and spring.
The city also boasts Marseille Provence Metropolis, the second largest research center in France. The research center employs thousands of scientists.
In addition to industry, plenty of shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, museums and theaters can be found in the city. Culture lovers are especially enamored of Marseille due to the large number of theaters in the city, including la Cri?e, le Gymnase and the theatre Toursky. The Marseille Opera is also very popular, with a season from September to June.
Like other areas of France, Marseille is well-known for its incredible food. Local favorites include pastis, which is an alcoholic beverage similar to beer made with aniseed and spice. Other popular items are aioli (mayonnaise) served on fish or hardboiled eggs, tapenade, bouillabaisse, panisse, and navette. All dishes are made with local ingredients, which make them very flavorful. Many restaurants can be found in the city?s Old Port area, which is the site of a daily fish market. The Old Port area is very beautiful at night, making it a popular spot for a long evening meal.
Beautiful architecture can also be found in the city, including the Abbey of Saint Victor, one of the oldest places of Christian worship in France, the Museum of Old Marseille and the Phare de Sainte Marie, a lighthouse on the inlet to the Old Port.
With everything that Marseille offers UK tourists, it is easy to see why it is growing in popularity as a vacation destination every year.
Tom Martens is the content coordinator for Bestukflights.co.uk the UK’s premier flight and travel comparison portal which includes a detailed section on Travel and Flights to Marseille
