Marseilles

Marseilles, more commonly spelled Marseille in French, is a port city in southern France on the Mediterranean coast. It is the prefecture of the Bouches-du-Rhône department and the capital of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. With an urban population of about 860,000, Marseille is the second-largest city in France, while the wider metropolitan area has around 1.7 million residents.

Originating as Massalia, founded by Greek settlers around 600 BCE, it quickly developed as a major trading hub linking the Greek world with Gaul and North Africa. It passed under Roman rule and later served as a gateway for European and Mediterranean exchange, growing into a cosmopolitan port city.

Landmarks include the Old Port, Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, Fort Saint-Jean, and the MuCEM (Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations), opened in 2013. The nearby Calanques coast and the island fortress of Château d'If are prominent features. The city also maintains a diverse culinary and cultural scene and is known for its multicultural neighborhoods.

Economy centers on the Port of Marseille–Fos, one of Europe’s largest freight ports, along with fishing, logistics, and industry. Marseille is a major cultural and tourist center and is home to Olympique de Marseille, a prominent football club.

Marseille is served by Marseille Provence Airport and a rail and road network linking to Paris and other major cities. The metropolitan area includes a dense tram and metro system that supports local transit.