Situated on the coast in the South of France, Marseille is the sunniest city in France, and with miles of beaches, it's no surprise that it's a popular tourist destination either outright, or on route to the smaller, more relaxed towns such as nearby Aix-en-Provence.
Founded by Greek settlers in the 6th century BC, the Greeks of Phocaea (in modern day Turkey) formed a preeminent Greek city but were wise enough to side with Rome during the Second Punic War (218-201 BC), thus saving itself from the depradations which might have occurred if Rome was forced to lay seige. It chose badly however in aligning against Julius Caeser during Rome's transition from Republic to Empire.
With such a long history, and Marseille being a strategic location for France as a former gateway to it's North African colonial possessions, there are many museums and period buildings. The old port is impressive and dates from antiquity, but today the two 17th century forts that flank the entrance signify the importance that the port had.
There's a lot of squalor too as so often happens in port cities that served empires which no longer exist. Unemployment is high compared to the rest of France and a high immigrant population in a city with fewer opportunities than previously gives Marseille a particular edge - an edge that was seen in World Cup 98.
