Marseille - Wikipedia Marseille This article is about the Mediterranean city. For other uses, see Marseille ( disambiguation ). `` Massilia '' and `` Marsiglia '' redirect here. For other uses, see Massilia ( disambiguation ) and Marsiglia ( disambiguation ). Marseille Prefecture and commune Clockwise from top : Notre - Dame de la Garde Old Port La Joliette with CMA CGM Tower Calanque of Sugiton Flag Coat of arms Motto : Actibus immensis urbs fulget massiliensis `` The city of Marseille shines from its great achievements '' Marseille Location within Provence - A. - C.d'A. region Marseille Coordinates : 43 ° 17 ′ 47 '' N 5 ° 22 ′ 12 '' E ﻿ / ﻿ 43.2964 ° N 5.37 ° E ﻿ / 43.2964 ; 5.37 Coordinates : 43 ° 17 ′ 47 '' N 5 ° 22 ′ 12 '' E ﻿ / ﻿ 43.2964 ° N 5.37 ° E ﻿ / 43.2964 ; 5.37 Country France Region Provence - Alpes - Côte d'Azur Department Bouches - du - Rhône Arrondissement Marseille Canton 12 cantons Intercommunality Aix - Marseille - Provence Government Mayor ( since 1995 ) Jean - Claude Gaudin ( LR ) Area 240.62 km ( 92.90 sq mi ) Urban ( 2010 ) 1,731.91 km ( 668.69 sq mi ) Metro ( 2010 ) 3,173.51 km ( 1,225.30 sq mi ) Population ( Jan. 2013 ) 855,393 Rank 2nd after Paris Density 3,600 / km ( 9,200 / sq mi ) Urban ( 2014 ) 1,578,484 Metro ( Jan. 2011 ) 1,831,500 Demonym ( s ) Marseillais ( French ) Marselhés ( Occitan ) Massiliot ( ancient ) Time zone CET ( UTC + 1 ) Summer ( DST ) CEST ( UTC + 2 ) INSEE / Postal code 13055 / 13001 - 13016 Dialling codes 0491 or 0496 Website marseille.fr French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 ( 0.386 sq mi or 247 acres ) and river estuaries. Population without double counting : residents of multiple communes ( e.g., students and military personnel ) only counted once. Marseille ( English / mɑːrˈseɪ / ; French : ( maʁsɛj ) ( listen ), locally : ( mɑχˈsɛjə ) ; Provençal Marselha ( maʀˈsejɔ, maʀˈsijɔ ) ), also known as Marseilles, is a city in France. The capital of the Bouches - du - Rhône department and Provence - Alpes - Côte d'Azur region, Marseille, on France 's south coast, is the country 's second largest city, after Paris, with a population of 852,516 in 2012, and an area of 241 km ( 93 sq mi ), the 3rd - largest metropolitan area in France after Paris and Lyon. Known to the ancient Greeks and Romans as Massalia ( Greek : Μασσαλία, Massalía ), Marseille was the most important trading centre in the region and the main commercial port of the French Republic. Marseille is now France 's largest city on the Mediterranean coast and the largest port for commerce, freight and cruise ships. The city was European Capital of Culture, together with Košice, Slovakia, in 2013. It hosted the FIFA World Cup 1998 and the UEFA Euro 2016, and will be the European Capital of Sport in 2017. The city is home to several campuses of Aix - Marseille University and part of one of the largest metropolitan conurbations in France, the Metropolis of Aix - Marseille - Provence. Contents 1 Geography 1.1 Climate 2 History 3 Economy 3.1 Port 3.2 Companies, services and high technologies 3.3 Tourism and attractions 3.4 Employment 4 Administration 4.1 Mayors 5 Population 5.1 Immigration 5.2 Religion 6 Culture 6.1 European Capital of Culture 6.2 Tarot de Marseille 6.3 Opera 6.4 Popular events and festivals 6.5 Hip hop music 6.6 Food 6.7 Films set in Marseille 6.8 Marseille in television 7 Main sights 7.1 Central Marseille 7.2 Museums 7.3 Outside of central Marseille 8 Education and research 9 Transport 9.1 International and regional transport 9.2 Public transport 10 Sport 11 Personalities 12 International relations 12.1 Twin towns and sister cities 12.2 Partner cities 13 See also 14 References 14.1 Notes 14.2 Bibliography 15 Further reading 16 External links Geography View of the `` Petit Nice '' on the Corniche with Frioul and Château d'If in the background View from Marseille 's Old Port ( Vieux - Port ) towards Notre - Dame de la Garde Marseille is the second - largest city in France after Paris and the centre of the third - largest metropolitan area in France after Paris and Lyon. To the east, starting in the small fishing village of Callelongue on the outskirts of Marseille and stretching as far as Cassis, are the Calanques, a rugged coastal area interspersed with small fjord - like inlets. Further east still are the Sainte - Baume ( a 1,147 m ( 3,763 ft ) mountain ridge rising from a forest of deciduous trees ), the city of Toulon and the French Riviera. To the north of Marseille, beyond the low Garlaban and Etoile mountain ranges, is the 1,011 m ( 3,317 ft ) Mont Sainte Victoire. To the west of Marseille is the former artists ' colony of l'Estaque ; further west are the Côte Bleue, the Gulf of Lion and the Camargue region in the Rhône delta. The airport lies to the north west of the city at Marignane on the Étang de Berre. Aerial view of Marseille The city 's main thoroughfare ( the wide boulevard called the Canebière ) stretches eastward from the Old Port ( Vieux Port ) to the Réformés quarter. Two large forts flank the entrance to the Old Port -- Fort Saint - Nicolas on the south side and Fort Saint - Jean on the north. Further out in the Bay of Marseille is the Frioul archipelago which comprises four islands, one of which, If, is the location of Château d'If, made famous by the Dumas novel The Count of Monte Cristo. The main commercial centre of the city intersects with the Canebière at rue St Ferréol and the Centre Bourse ( the main shopping mall ). The centre of Marseille has several pedestrianised zones, most notably rue St Ferréol, Cours Julien near the Music Conservatory, the Cours Honoré - d'Estienne - d'Orves off the Old Port and the area around the Hôtel de Ville. To the south east of central Marseille in the 6th arrondissement are the Prefecture and the monumental fountain of Place Castellane, an important bus and metro interchange. To the south west are the hills of the 7th arrondissement, dominated by the basilica of Notre - Dame - de-la - Garde. The railway station -- Gare de Marseille Saint - Charles -- is north of the Centre Bourse in the 1st arrondissement ; it is linked by the Boulevard d'Athènes to the Canebière. Climate Marseille has a Mediterranean climate ( Köppen Csa ) with mild, humid winters and warm to hot, mostly dry summers. December, January, and February are the coldest months, averaging temperatures of around 12 ° C ( 54 ° F ) during the day and 4 ° C ( 39 ° F ) at night. July and August are the hottest months, averaging temperatures of around 28 -- 30 ° C ( 82 -- 86 ° F ) during the day and 19 ° C ( 66 ° F ) at night in the Marignane airport ( 35 km ( 22 mi ) from Marseille ) but in the city near the sea the average high temperature is 27 ° C ( 81 ° F ) in July. Marseille is officially the sunniest major city in France with over 2,900 hours of sunshine while the average sunshine in France is around 1,950 hours. It is also the driest major city with only 512 mm ( 20 in ) of precipitation annually, especially thanks to the Mistral, a cold, dry wind originating in the Rhône Valley that occurs mostly in winter and spring and which generally brings clear skies and sunny weather to the region. Less frequent is the Sirocco, a hot, sand - bearing wind, coming from the Sahara Desert. Snowfalls are infrequent ; over 50 % of years do not experience a single snowfall. The hottest temperature was 40.6 ° C ( 105.1 ° F ) on 26 July 1983 during a great heat wave, the lowest temperature was − 14.3 ° C ( 6.3 ° F ) on 13 February 1929 during a strong cold wave, but 100 ° F ( 38 ° C ) or 20 ° F ( − 7 ° C ) temperatures are uncommon. Climate data for Marseille ( Longchamp observatory ) 43 ° 18'21.2 `` N 5 ° 23'37.1 '' E ( sunshine hours 1961 -- 1990 ) Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high ° C ( ° F ) 21.2 ( 70.2 ) 22.7 ( 72.9 ) 26.1 ( 79 ) 28.5 ( 83.3 ) 33.2 ( 91.8 ) 36.9 ( 98.4 ) 40.6 ( 105.1 ) 38.6 ( 101.5 ) 33.8 ( 92.8 ) 30.9 ( 87.6 ) 24.3 ( 75.7 ) 23.1 ( 73.6 ) 40.6 ( 105.1 ) Average high ° C ( ° F ) 11.8 ( 53.2 ) 12.9 ( 55.2 ) 15.5 ( 59.9 ) 17.9 ( 64.2 ) 22.2 ( 72 ) 25.7 ( 78.3 ) 29.1 ( 84.4 ) 28.7 ( 83.7 ) 25.0 ( 77 ) 20.4 ( 68.7 ) 15.0 ( 59 ) 12.6 ( 54.7 ) 19.7 ( 67.5 ) Daily mean ° C ( ° F ) 8.4 ( 47.1 ) 9.1 ( 48.4 ) 11.2 ( 52.2 ) 13.4 ( 56.1 ) 17.5 ( 63.5 ) 20.8 ( 69.4 ) 24.0 ( 75.2 ) 23.7 ( 74.7 ) 20.4 ( 68.7 ) 16.3 ( 61.3 ) 11.5 ( 52.7 ) 9.3 ( 48.7 ) 15.5 ( 59.9 ) Average low ° C ( ° F ) 4.9 ( 40.8 ) 5.3 ( 41.5 ) 6.9 ( 44.4 ) 8.9 ( 48 ) 12.7 ( 54.9 ) 16.0 ( 60.8 ) 18.9 ( 66 ) 18.7 ( 65.7 ) 15.8 ( 60.4 ) 12.3 ( 54.1 ) 7.9 ( 46.2 ) 6.0 ( 42.8 ) 11.2 ( 52.2 ) Record low ° C ( ° F ) − 10.5 ( 13.1 ) − 14.3 ( 6.3 ) − 7.0 ( 19.4 ) − 3.0 ( 26.6 ) 0.0 ( 32 ) 7.7 ( 45.9 ) 9.0 ( 48.2 ) 8.1 ( 46.6 ) 2.7 ( 36.9 ) − 1.1 ( 30 ) − 6.0 ( 21.2 ) − 11.4 ( 11.5 ) − 14.3 ( 6.3 ) Average precipitation mm ( inches ) 65.4 ( 2.575 ) 47.3 ( 1.862 ) 48.7 ( 1.917 ) 55.2 ( 2.173 ) 41.0 ( 1.614 ) 26.8 ( 1.055 ) 9.1 ( 0.358 ) 34.0 ( 1.339 ) 65.5 ( 2.579 ) 91.6 ( 3.606 ) 55.2 ( 2.173 ) 52.3 ( 2.059 ) 592.2 ( 23.315 ) Average precipitation days 6.1 5.1 4.9 6.3 4.6 3.3 1.4 2.7 3.8 6.3 5.5 5.8 55.8 Average relative humidity ( % ) 75 72 67 65 64 63 59 62 69 74 75 77 68.5 Mean monthly sunshine hours 150.0 155.5 215.1 244.8 292.5 326.2 366.4 327.4 254.3 204.5 155.5 143.3 2,835.5 Source :, Météo France 1971 -- 2000 raw averages for Longchamp observatory, extremes 1881 -- 31 December 2004 ( sun and humidity 1961 -- 1990 at Marignane ) Climate data for Marignane ( Aéroport Marseille Provence ) ( 1981 -- 2010 ) 43 ° 26'18.4 `` N 5 ° 12'51.9 '' E Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Average high ° C ( ° F ) 11.4 ( 52.5 ) 12.5 ( 54.5 ) 15.7 ( 60.3 ) 18.6 ( 65.5 ) 22.9 ( 73.2 ) 27.0 ( 80.6 ) 30.2 ( 86.4 ) 29.7 ( 85.5 ) 25.5 ( 77.9 ) 20.9 ( 69.6 ) 15.1 ( 59.2 ) 11.9 ( 53.4 ) 20.1 ( 68.2 ) Daily mean ° C ( ° F ) 7.2 ( 45 ) 8.1 ( 46.6 ) 11.0 ( 51.8 ) 13.9 ( 57 ) 18.0 ( 64.4 ) 21.9 ( 71.4 ) 24.8 ( 76.6 ) 24.4 ( 75.9 ) 20.6 ( 69.1 ) 16.7 ( 62.1 ) 11.2 ( 52.2 ) 7.9 ( 46.2 ) 15.5 ( 59.9 ) Average low ° C ( ° F ) 2.9 ( 37.2 ) 3.6 ( 38.5 ) 6.2 ( 43.2 ) 9.1 ( 48.4 ) 13.1 ( 55.6 ) 16.6 ( 61.9 ) 19.4 ( 66.9 ) 19.0 ( 66.2 ) 15.7 ( 60.3 ) 12.4 ( 54.3 ) 7.2 ( 45 ) 4.0 ( 39.2 ) 10.8 ( 51.4 ) Average precipitation mm ( inches ) 48.0 ( 1.89 ) 31.4 ( 1.236 ) 30.1 ( 1.185 ) 53.7 ( 2.114 ) 40.9 ( 1.61 ) 24.2 ( 0.953 ) 9.2 ( 0.362 ) 31.0 ( 1.22 ) 77.1 ( 3.035 ) 67.2 ( 2.646 ) 55.6 ( 2.189 ) 45.5 ( 1.791 ) 513.9 ( 20.232 ) Average precipitation days ( ≥ 1 mm ) 5.3 4.5 3.9 6.0 4.5 2.9 1.3 2.7 4.5 6.2 5.9 5.5 53.2 Mean monthly sunshine hours 151 166 230 240 288 329 366 327 257 189 154 138 2,853 Source : Metereological data for Marseille -- Marignane, from 1981 to 2010 November 2015 History Main articles : History of Marseille and Timeline of Marseille A silver drachma inscribed with MASSA ( LIA ) ( ΜΑΣΣΑ ( ΛΙΑ ) ), dated 375 - 200 BC, during the Hellenistic period of Marseille, bearing the head of the Greek goddess Artemis on the obverse and a lion on the reverse Marseille was originally founded circa 600 BC as the Greek colony of Massalia and populated by settlers from Phocaea ( modern Foça, Turkey ). It became the preeminent Greek polis in the Hellenized region of southern Gaul. The city - state sided with the Roman Republic against Carthage during the Second Punic War ( 218 - 201 BC ), retaining its independence and commercial empire throughout the western Mediterranean even as Rome expanded into Western Europe and North Africa. However, the city lost its independence following the Roman Siege of Massilia in 49 BC, during Caesar 's Civil War, in which Massalia sided with the exiled faction at war with Julius Caesar. Marseille continued to prosper as a Roman city, becoming an early center of Christianity during the Western Roman Empire. The city maintained its position as a premier maritime trading hub even after its capture by the Visigoths in the 5th century AD, although the city went into decline following the sack of 739 AD by the forces of Charles Martel. It became part of the County of Provence during the 10th century, although its renewed prosperity was curtailed by the Black Death of the 14th century and sack of the city by the Crown of Aragon in 1423. The city 's fortunes rebounded with the ambitious building projects of René of Anjou, Count of Provence, who strengthened the city 's fortifications during the mid-15th century. During the 16th century the city hosted a naval fleet with the combined forces of the Franco - Ottoman alliance, which threatened the ports and navies of Genoa and the Holy Roman Empire. Marseille lost a significant portion of its population during the Great Plague of Marseille in 1720, but the population had recovered by mid century. In 1792 the city became a focal point of the French Revolution and was the birthplace of France 's national anthem, La Marseillaise. The Industrial Revolution and establishment of the French Empire during the 19th century allowed for further expansion of the city, although it was occupied by the German Wehrmacht in November 1942 and subsequently heavily damaged during World War II. The city has since become a major center for immigrant communities from former French colonies, such as French Algeria. Economy This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( September 2012 ) Marseille is a major French centre for trade and industry, with excellent transportation infrastructure ( roads, sea port and airport ). Marseille Provence Airport, is the fourth largest in France. In May 2005, the French financial magazine L'Expansion named Marseille the most dynamic of France 's large cities, citing figures showing that 7,200 companies had been created in the city since 2000. Marseille is also France 's second largest research centre with 3,000 research scientists within Aix Marseille University. As of 2014, the Marseille metropolitan area had a GDP amounting to $60.3 billion, or $36,127 per capita ( purchasing power parity ). Port See also : Marseille - Fos Port The entrance to the Old Port, flanked by Fort Saint - Jean and Fort Saint - Nicolas Historically, the economy of Marseille was dominated by its role as a port of the French Empire, linking the North African colonies of Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia with Metropolitan France. The Old Port was replaced as the main port for trade by the Port de la Joliette during the Second Empire and now contains restaurants, offices, bars and hotels and functions mostly as a private marina. The majority of the port and docks, which experienced decline in the 1970s after the oil crisis, have been recently redeveloped with funds from the European Union. Fishing remains important in Marseille and the food economy of Marseille is fed by the local catch ; a daily fish market is still held on the Quai des Belges of the Old Port. The economy of Marseille and its region is still linked to its commercial port, the first French port and the fifth European port by cargo tonnage, which lies north of the Old Port and eastern in Fos - sur - Mer. Some 45,000 jobs are linked to the port activities and it represents 4 billion euros added value to the regional economy. 100 million tons of freight pass annually through the port, 60 % of which is petroleum, making it number one in France and the Mediterranean and number three in Europe. However, in the early 2000s, the growth in container traffic was being stifled by the constant strikes and social upheaval. The port is among the 20th firsts in Europe for container traffic with 1,062,408 TEU and new infrastructures have already raised the capacity to 2M TEU. Petroleum refining and shipbuilding are the principal industries, but chemicals, soap, glass, sugar, building materials, plastics, textiles, olive oil, and processed foods are also important products. Marseille is connected with the Rhône via a canal and thus has access to the extensive waterway network of France. Petroleum is shipped northward to the Paris basin by pipeline. The city also serves as France 's leading centre of oil refining. Companies, services and high technologies In recent years, the city has also experienced a large growth in service sector employment and a switch from light manufacturing to a cultural, high - tech economy. The Marseille region is home to thousands of companies, 90 % of which are small and medium enterprises with less than 500 employees. Among the most famous ones are CMA CGM, container - shipping giant ; Compagnie maritime d'expertises ( Comex ), world leader in sub-sea engineering and hydraulic systems ; Airbus Helicopters, an Airbus division ; Azur Promotel, an active real estate development company ; La Provence, the local daily newspaper ; RTM, Marseille 's public transport company ; and Société Nationale Maritime Corse Méditerranée ( SNCM ), a major operator in passenger, vehicle and freight transportation in the Western Mediterranean. The urban operation Euroméditerranée has developed a large offer of offices and thus Marseille hosts one of the main business district in France. Marseille is the home of three main technopoles : Château - Gombert ( technological innovations ), Luminy ( biotechnology ) and La Belle de Mai ( 17,000 sq. m. of offices dedicated to multimedia activities ). Tourism and attractions Beach at the Pointe Rouge, Marseille. The port is also an important arrival base for millions of people each year, with 2.4 million including 890,100 from cruise ships. With its beaches, history, architecture and culture ( 24 museums and 42 theatres ), Marseille is one of the most visited cities in France, with 4.1 million visitors in 2012. Marseille is ranked 86th in the world for business tourism and events, advancing from the 150th spot one year before. The number of congress days hosted on its territory increased from 109,000 in 1996 to almost 300,000 in 2011. They take place in three main sites, Le Palais du Pharo, Le Palais des Congrès et des Expositions ( Parc Chanot ) and the World Trade Center. In 2012 Marseille hosted the World Water Forum. Several urban projects have been developed to make Marseille attractive. Thus new parks, museums, public spaces and real estate projects aim to improve the city cadre de vie ( Parc du 26e Centenaire, Old Port of Marseille, numerous places in Euromediterrannee ) to attract firms and people. Marseille municipality acts to develop Marseille as a regional nexus for entertainment in the south of France with high concentration of museums, cinemas, theatres, clubs, bars, restaurants, fashion shops, hotels, and art galleries. From left to right : La Joliette neighbourhood ( old docks ), ferry ship docks, new port, Euroméditerranée business district ( CMA CGM Tower ) and surrounding areas. Employment Unemployment in the economy fell from 20 % in 1995 to 14 % in 2004. However, Marseille unemployment rate remains higher than the national average. In some parts of Marseille, youth unemployment is reported to be as high as 40 %. Administration The sectors and arrondissements of Marseille The city of Marseille is divided into 16 municipal arrondissements, which are themselves informally divided into quartiers ( 111 in total ). The arrondissements are regrouped in pairs, into 8 secteurs, each with a mayor and council ( like the arrondissements in Paris and Lyon ). Municipal elections are held every six years and are carried out by secteur. There are 303 councillors in total, two - thirds sitting in the secteur councils and one third in the city council. From 1950 to the mid-1990s, Marseille was a socialist and communist stronghold. The socialist Gaston Defferre was consecutively re-elected six times as Mayor of Marseille from 1953 until his death in 1986. He was succeeded by Robert Vigouroux of the RDSE. Jean - Claude Gaudin of the right - wing UMP was elected mayor in 1995. Gaudin was re-elected in 2001 and 2008. In recent years, the Communist Party has lost most of its strength in the northern boroughs of the city, whereas the far - right National Front has received significant support. At the last municipal election in 2008, Marseille was divided between the northern boroughs dominated by the left and the more affluent southern part dominated by the right, with the centre and eastern parts of the city as battlegrounds, allowing for a narrow re-election of the UMP administration. The cantons of Marseille : Marseille is also divided in 12 cantons, each of them returning two member of the General Council of the Bouches - du - Rhône département. Mayors Mayor Term start Term end Party Siméon Flaissières ( fr ) 1895 1901 Socialist Marius - Justin - Albin - Hector Curet 1901 1902 Independent Jean - Baptiste - Amable Chanot ( fr ) 1902 1908 Progressive Republican Emmanuel Allard 1908 1910 Progressive Republican Clément Lévy ( fr ) 1910 1910 Independent Bernard Cadenat 1910 1912 SFIO Jean - Baptiste - Amable Chanot ( fr ) 1912 1914 Progressive Republican Eugène Pierre ( fr ) 1914 1919 Republican Independents Siméon Flaissières ( fr ) 1919 1931 SFIO Simon Sabiani 1931 1931 Republican Independents Georges Ribot ( fr ) 1931 1935 Radical Henri Tasso 1931 1939 SFIO Nominated administrators 1939 1944 Gaston Defferre 1944 1946 SFIO Marcel Renault 1946 1946 Independent Jean Cristofol 1946 1947 PCF Michel Carlini 1947 1953 RPF Gaston Defferre 1953 1986 SFIO, PS Jean - Victor Cordonnier ( fr ) 1986 1986 PS Robert Vigouroux 1986 1995 DVG Jean - Claude Gaudin 1995 incumbent DL, UMP Population This section may be in need of reorganization to comply with Wikipedia 's layout guidelines. Please help by editing the article to make improvements to the overall structure. ( June 2017 ) Historical population Year Pop. ± % 1801 111,100 -- 1851 195,350 + 75.8 % 1881 360,100 + 84.3 % 1911 550,619 + 52.9 % 1931 606,000 + 10.1 % 1946 636,300 + 5.0 % 1954 661,407 + 3.9 % 1962 778,071 + 17.6 % 1968 889,029 + 14.3 % 908,600 + 2.2 % 1982 874,436 − 3.8 % 1990 800,550 − 8.4 % 1999 798,430 − 0.3 % 2006 839,043 + 5.1 % 2011 850,636 + 1.4 % Immigration This section needs to be updated. Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. ( June 2017 ) The 7th arrondissement of Marseille Because of its pre-eminence as a Mediterranean port, Marseille has always been one of the main gateways into France. This has attracted many immigrants and made Marseille a cosmopolitan melting pot. By the end of the 18th century about half the population originated from elsewhere in Provence mostly and also from southern France. Economic conditions and political unrest in Europe and the rest of the world brought several other waves of immigrants during the 20th century : Greeks and Italians started arriving at the end of the 19th century and in the first half of the 20th century, up to 40 % of the city 's population was of Italian origin ; Russians in 1917 ; Armenians in 1915 and 1923 ; Vietnamese in the 1920s, 1954 and after 1975 ; Corsicans during the 1920s and 1930s ; Spanish after 1936 ; North Africans ( both Arab and Berber ) in the inter-war period ; Sub-Saharan Africans after 1945 ; the pieds - noirs from the former French Algeria in 1962 ; and then from Comoros. In 2006, it was reported that 70,000 city residents were considered to be of Maghrebi origin, mostly from Algeria. The second largest group in Marseille in terms of single nationalities were from the Comoros, amounting to some 45,000 people. Currently, over one third of the population of Marseille can trace their roots back to Italy. Marseille also has the second - largest Corsican and Armenian populations of France. Other significant communities include Maghrebis, Turks, Comorians, Chinese, and Vietnamese. In 1999, in several arrondissements, about 40 % of the young people under 18 were of Maghrebi origin ( at least one immigrant parent ). Since 2013 immigrants from Eastern Europe travel to work in the city of Marseille, attracted by better job opportunities and the good climate of this Mediterranean city. The main nationalities are Romanians and Poles. Largest groups of foreign residents Nationality Population ( 2011 ) Algeria 37,673 Tunisia 32,800 Morocco 30,000 Turkey 12,283 Italy 9,094 Poland 8,227 Romania 7,134 Portugal 6,988 Spain 5,002 Bulgaria 4,902 Place of birth of residents of the city proper of Marseille in 1999 Born in Metropolitan France Born outside Metropolitan France 78.9 % 21.1 % Born in Overseas France Born in foreign countries with French citizenship at birth EU - 15 immigrants Non-EU - 15 immigrants 0.9 % 8.8 % 2.1 % 9.3 % Place of birth of residents of the metropolitan area of Marseille in 1999 Born in Metropolitan France Born outside Metropolitan France 81.2 % 18.8 % Born in Overseas France Born in foreign countries with French citizenship at birth EU - 15 immigrants Non-EU - 15 immigrants 0.7 % N / A % N / A % N / A % This group is made up largely of former French settlers, such as pieds - noirs in Northwest Africa, followed by former colonial citizens who had French citizenship at birth ( such as was often the case for the native elite in French colonies ), and to a lesser extent foreign - born children of French expatriates. Note that a foreign country is understood as a country not part of France in 1999, so a person born for example in 1950 in Algeria, when Algeria was an integral part of France, is nonetheless listed as a person born in a foreign country in French statistics. An immigrant is a person born in a foreign country not having French citizenship at birth. Note that an immigrant may have acquired French citizenship since moving to France, but is still considered an immigrant in French statistics. On the other hand, persons born in France with foreign citizenship ( the children of immigrants ) are not listed as immigrants. Religion Main article : Religion in Marseille This section needs to be updated. Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. ( June 2017 ) This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. ( June 2017 ) Major religious communities in Marseille include : Roman Catholic ( 405,000 ) Muslim ( 200,000 ) Armenian Apostolic ( 80,000 ) Jewish ( 80,000, making Marseille the third largest urban Jewish community in Europe ) Protestant ( 20,000 ) Eastern Orthodox ( 10,000 ) Hindu ( 4,000 ) Buddhist ( 3,000 ). Culture Paul Cézanne : The bay of Marseille from l'Estaque Marseille is a city that has its own unique culture and is proud of its differences from the rest of France. Today it is a regional centre for culture and entertainment with an important opera house, historical and maritime museums, five art galleries and numerous cinemas, clubs, bars and restaurants. Marseille has a large number of theatres, including la Criée, le Gymnase and the Théâtre Toursky. There is also an extensive arts centre in La Friche, a former match factory behind the St - Charles station. The Alcazar ( fr ), until the 1960s a well known music - hall and variety theatre, has recently been completely remodelled behind its original façade and now houses the central municipal library. Other music venues in Marseille are L'Embobineuze and GRIM. Marseille has also been important in the arts. It has been the birthplace and home of many French writers and poets, including Victor Gélu ( fr ), Valère Bernard ( fr ), Pierre Bertas, Edmond Rostand and André Roussin. The small port of l'Estaque on the far end of the Bay of Marseille became a favourite haunt for artists, including Auguste Renoir, Paul Cézanne ( who frequently visited from his home in Aix ), Georges Braque and Raoul Dufy. European Capital of Culture See also : Marseille - Provence 2013 Marseille served as the European Capital of Culture for 2013 along with Košice. Marseille - Provence 2013 ( MP2013 ) featured more than 900 cultural events held throughout Marseille and the surrounding communities. These cultural events generated more than 11 million visits. The European Capital of Culture was also the occasion to unveil more than 600 million euros in new cultural infrastructure in Marseille and it environs, including the iconic MuCEM designed by Rudy Ricciotti. Tarot de Marseille Marseille tarot card The most commonly used tarot deck takes its name from the city ; it has been called the Tarot de Marseille since the 1930s -- a name coined for commercial use by the French cardmaker and cartomancer Paul Marteau, owner of B -- P Grimaud. Previously this deck was called Tarot italien ( Italian Tarot ) and even earlier it was simply called Tarot. Before being de Marseille, it was used to play the local variant of tarocchi before it became used in cartomancy at the end of the 18th century, following the trend set by Antoine Court de Gébelin. The name Tarot de Marseille ( Marteau used the name ancien Tarot de Marseille ) was used by contrast to other types of Tarots such as Tarot de Besançon ; those names were simply associated with cities where there were many cardmakers in the 18th century ( previously several cities in France were involved in cardmaking ). Another local tradition is the making of santons, small hand - crafted figurines for the traditional Provençal Christmas creche. Since 1803, starting on the last Sunday of November, there has been a Santon Fair in Marseille ; it is currently held in the Cours d'Estienne d'Orves, a large square off the Vieux - Port. Opera The Opéra de Marseille Marseille 's main cultural attraction was, since its creation at the end of the 18th century and until the late 1970s, the Opéra. Located near the Old Port and the Canebière, at the very heart of the city, its architectural style was comparable to the classical trend found in other opera houses built at the same time in Lyon and Bordeaux. In 1919, a fire almost completely destroyed the house, leaving only the stone colonnade and peristyle from the original façade. The classical façade was restored and the opera house reconstructed in a predominantly Art Deco style, as the result of a major competition. Currently the Opéra de Marseille stages six or seven operas each year. Since 1972, the Ballet national de Marseille has performed at the opera house ; its director from its foundation to 1998 was Roland Petit. Popular events and festivals There are several popular festivals in different neighborhoods, with concerts, animations, and outdoor bars, like the Fête du Panier in June. On 21 June, there are dozens of free concerts in the city as part of the Fête de la Musique. Music from all over the world in introduced. Being a free event, many Marseille residents attend. Marseille hosts a Gay Pride event in early July. In 2013, Marseille hosted Europride, an international LGBT event, 10 July -- 20. At the beginning of July, there is the International Documentary Festival. At the end of September, the electronic music festival Marsatac takes place. In October, the Fiesta des Suds offers many concerts of world music. Hip hop music Marseille is also well known in France for its hip hop music. Bands like IAM originated from Marseille and initiated the rap phenomenon in France. Other known groups include Fonky Family, Psy 4 de la Rime ( including rappers Soprano and Alonzo ), and Keny Arkana. In a slightly different way, ragga music is represented by Massilia Sound System. Food Traditional Marseille bouillabaisse Swordfish in olive oil with ratatouille and saffron rice Pieds paquets Bouillabaisse is the most famous seafood dish of Marseille. It is a fish stew containing at least three varieties of very fresh local fish : typically red rascasse ( Scorpaena scrofa ) ; sea robin ( fr : grondin ) ; and European conger ( fr : congre ). It can include gilt - head bream ( fr : dorade ) ; turbot ; monkfish ( fr : lotte or baudroie ) ; mullet ; or silver hake ( fr : merlan ), and it usually includes shellfish and other seafood such as sea urchins ( fr : oursins ), mussels ( fr : moules ) ; velvet crabs ( fr : étrilles ) ; spider crab ( fr : araignées de mer ), plus potatoes and vegetables. In the traditional version, the fish is served on a platter separate from the broth. The broth is served with rouille, a mayonnaise made with egg yolk, olive oil, red bell pepper, saffron, and garlic, spread on pieces of toasted bread, or croûtes. In Marseille, bouillabaisse is rarely made for fewer than ten people ; the more people who share the meal, and the more different fish that are included, the better the bouillabaisse. Aïoli is a sauce made from raw garlic, lemon juice, eggs and olive oil, served with boiled fish, hard boiled eggs and cooked vegetables. Anchoïade ( fr ) is a paste made from anchovies, garlic, and olive oil, spread on bread or served with raw vegetables. Bourride ( fr ) is a soup made with white fish ( monkfish, European sea bass, whiting, etc. ) and aïoli. Fougasse is a flat Provençal bread, similar to the Italian focaccia. It is traditionally baked in a wood oven and sometimes filled with olives, cheese or anchovies. Navette de Marseille ( fr ) are, in the words of food writer M.F.K. Fisher, `` little boat - shaped cookies, tough dough tasting vaguely of orange peel, smelling better than they are. '' Panisse ( fr ) is chickpea flour boiled into a thick mush, allowed to firm up, then cut into blocks and fried. Pastis is an alcoholic beverage made with aniseed and spice. It is extremely popular in the region. Pieds paquets is a dish prepared from sheep 's feet and offal. Pistou is a combination of crushed fresh basil and garlic with olive oil, similar to the Italian pesto. Soup au pistou combines pistou in a broth with pasta and vegetables. Tapenade is a paste made from chopped olives, capers, and olive oil ( sometimes anchovies may be added ). Films set in Marseille Main article : List of films set in Marseille Marseille has been the setting for many films, mostly produced in France or Hollywood. Marseille in television The French television series Plus belle la vie is set in an imaginary quartier, Le Mistral, of Marseille. It is filmed in the Panier quartier of Marseille. The Netflix series Marseille is set in the city in the 2010s. Main Sights The Panier quarter with the Hotel de Ville and the church of Notre Dame des Accoules La Vieille Charité The Abbey of St. Victor and the basilica of Notre - Dame - de-la - Garde Marseille is listed as a major centre of art and history. The city has many museums and galleries and there are many ancient buildings and churches of historical interest. Central Marseille Most of the attractions of Marseille ( including shopping areas ) are located in the 1st, 2nd, 6th and 7th arrondissements. These include : The Old Port or Vieux - Port, the main harbour and marina of the city. It is guarded by two massive forts ( Fort Saint - Nicolas and Fort Saint - Jean ) and is one of the main places to eat in the city. Dozens of cafés line the waterfront. The Quai des Belges at the end of the harbour is the site of the daily fish market. Much of the northern quayside area was rebuilt by the architect Fernand Pouillon after its destruction by the Nazis in 1943. The Hôtel de Ville ( City Hall ), a baroque building dating from the 17th century. The Centre Bourse and the adjacent rue St Ferreol district ( including rue de Rome and rue Paradis ), the main shopping area in central Marseille. The Porte d'Aix, a triumphal arch commemorating French victories in the Spanish Expedition. The Hôtel - Dieu, a former hospital in Le Panier, transformed into an InterContinental hotel in 2013. La Vieille Charité in Le Panier, an architecturally significant building designed by the Puget brothers. The central baroque chapel is situated in a courtyard lined with arcaded galleries. Originally built as an alms house, it is now home to an archeological museum and a gallery of African and Asian art, as well as bookshops and a café. It also houses the Marseille International Poetry Centre. The Cathedral of Sainte - Marie - Majeure or La Major, founded in the 4th century, enlarged in the 11th century and completely rebuilt in the second half of the 19th century by the architects Léon Vaudoyer and Henri - Jacques Espérandieu. The present day cathedral is a gigantic edifice in Romano - Byzantine style. A romanesque transept, choir and altar survive from the older medieval cathedral, spared from complete destruction only as a result of public protests at the time. The 12th - century parish church of Saint - Laurent and adjoining 17th - century chapel of Sainte - Catherine, on the quayside near the Cathedral. The Abbey of Saint - Victor, one of the oldest places of Christian worship in Europe. Its 5th - century crypt and catacombs occupy the site of a Hellenic burial ground, later used for Christian martyrs and venerated ever since. Continuing a medieval tradition, every year at Candlemas a Black Madonna from the crypt is carried in procession along rue Sainte for a blessing from the archbishop, followed by a mass and the distribution of `` navettes '' and green votive candles. Museums In addition to the two in the Centre de la Vieille Charité, described above, the main museums are : The MuCEM, Musée Regards de Provence and Villa Mediterannée, with Notre Dame de la Majeur on the right The sixteenth century Maison Diamentée which houses the Musée du Vieux Marseille The music room in the Grobet - Labadié museum The Palais Longchamp with its monumental fountain The Musée des Civilisations de l'Europe et de la Méditerranée ( MuCEM ) and the Villa Méditerranée were inaugurated in 2013. The MuCEM is devoted to the history and culture of European and Mediterranean civilisations. The adjacent Villa Méditerranée, an international centre for cultural and artistic interchange, is partially constructed underwater. The site is linked by footbridges to the Fort Saint - Jean and to the Panier. The Musée Regards de Provence, opened in 2013, is located between the Cathedral of Notre Dame de la Majeur and the Fort Saint - Jean. It occupies a converted port building constructed in 1945 to monitor and control potential sea - borne health hazards, in particular epidemics. It now houses a permanent collection of historical artworks from Provence as well as temporary exhibitions. The Musée du Vieux Marseille, housed in the 16th - century Maison Diamantée, describing everyday life in Marseille from the 18th century onwards. The Musée des Docks Romains preserves in situ the remains of Roman commercial warehouses, and has a small collection of objects, dating from the Greek period to the Middle Ages, that were uncovered on the site or retrieved from shipwrecks. The Marseille History Museum ( Musée d'Histoire de Marseille ), devoted to the history of the town, located in the Centre Bourse. It contains remains of the Greek, and Roman history of Marseille as well as the best preserved hull of a 6th - century boat in the world. Ancient remains from the Hellenic port are displayed in the adjacent archeological gardens, the Jardin des Vestiges. The Musée Cantini, a museum of modern art near the Palais de Justice. It houses artworks associated with Marseille as well as several works by Picasso. The Musée Grobet - Labadié, opposite the Palais Longchamp, houses an exceptional collection of European objets d'art and old musical instruments. The 19th - century Palais Longchamp, designed by Esperandieu, is located in the Parc Longchamp. Built on a grand scale, this italianate colonnaded building rises up behind a vast monumental fountain with cascading waterfalls. The jeux d'eau marks and masks the entry point of the Canal de Provence into Marseille. Its two wings house the Musée des beaux - arts de Marseille ( a fine arts museum ), and the Natural History Museum ( Muséum d'histoire naturelle de Marseille ). The Château Borély is located in the Parc Borély, a park off the Bay of Marseille with the Jardin botanique E.M. Heckel, a botanical garden. The Museum of the Decorative Arts, Fashion and Ceramics ( fr ) opened in the renovated château in June 2013. The Musée d'Art Contemporain de Marseille ( fr ) ( MAC ), a museum of contemporary art, opened in 1994. It is devoted to American and European art from the 1960s to the present day. The Musée du Terroir Marseillais ( fr ) in Château - Gombert, devoted to Provençal crafts and traditions. Outside of central Marseille The Calanque of Sugiton in the 9th arrondissement of Marseille The Château d'If The main attractions outside the city centre include : The 19th - century Basilica of Notre - Dame de la Garde, an enormous Romano - Byzantine basilica built by architect Espérandieu in the hills to the south of the Old Port. The terrace offers spectacular panoramic views of Marseille and its surroundings. The Stade Vélodrome, the home stadium of the city 's main football team, Olympique de Marseille. The Unité d'Habitation, an influential and iconic modernist building designed by the Swiss architect Le Corbusier in 1952. On the third floor is the gastronomic restaurant, Le Ventre de l'Architecte. On the roof is the contemporary gallery MaMo opened in 2013. The Docks de Marseille, a 19th - century warehouse transformed into offices. The Pharo Gardens, a park with views of the Mediterranean and the Old Port. The Corniche, a picturesque waterfront road between the Old Port and the Bay of Marseille. The beaches at the Prado, Pointe Rouge, les Goudes, Callelongue, and Le prophète. The Calanques, a wild mountainous coastal area of outstanding natural beauty accessible from Callelongue, Sormiou, Morgiou, Luminy, and Cassis. Calanques National Park became France 's tenth national park in 2012. The islands of the Frioul archipelago in the Bay of Marseille, accessible by ferry from the Old Port. The prison of Château d'If was one of the settings for The Count of Monte Cristo, the novel by Alexandre Dumas. The neighbouring islands of Ratonneau and Pomègues are joined by a man - made breakwater. The site of a former garrison and quarantine hospital, these islands are also of interest for their marine wildlife. Education and research This section uses abbreviations that may be confusing or ambiguous. There might be a discussion about this on the Talk page. Please improve this section if you can. ( May 2012 ) Euromed in Luminy, near the Calanques of Sugiton and Morgiou A number of the faculties of the three universities that comprise Aix - Marseille University are located in Marseille : Université de Provence Aix - Marseille I Université de la Méditerranée Aix - Marseille II Université Paul Cézanne Aix - Marseille III In addition Marseille has three grandes écoles : Ecole Centrale de Marseille part of Centrale Graduate School École pour l'informatique et les nouvelles technologies KEDGE Business School The main French research bodies including the CNRS, INSERM and INRA are all well represented in Marseille. Scientific research is concentrated at several sites across the city, including Luminy, where there are institutes in developmental biology ( the IBDML ), immunology ( CIML ), marine sciences and neurobiology ( INMED ), at the CNRS Joseph Aiguier campus and at the Timone hospital site ( known for work in microbiology ). Marseille is also home to the headquarters of the IRD, which promotes research into questions affecting developing countries. Transport Motorways around Marseille International and regional transport Marseille Provence Airport, the fifth busiest in France. The city is served by an international airport, Marseille Provence Airport, located in Marignane. The airport is the fifth busiest French airport, and known the 4th most important European traffic growth in 2012. An extensive network of motorways connects Marseille to the north and west ( A7 ), Aix - en - Provence in the north ( A51 ), Toulon ( A50 ) and the French Riviera ( A8 ) to the east. Gare de Marseille Saint - Charles is Marseille 's main railway station. It operates direct regional services to Aix - en - Provence, Briançon, Toulon, Avignon, Nice, Montpellier, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Nantes, etc. Gare Saint - Charles is also one of the main terminal stations for the TGV in the south of France making Marseille reachable in three hours from Paris ( a distance of over 750 km ) and just over one and a half hours from Lyon. There are also direct TGV lines to Lille, Brussels, Nantes, Geneva and Strasbourg as well as Eurostar services to London. In addition, the night train ( Intercités de Nuit ) from Luxembourg and Strasbourg stops here on its way to Nice, whereas the night train from Paris to Nice serves the Gare de Blancarde. The new tramway Metro and tramway network There is a new long distance bus station adjacent to new modern extension to the Gare Saint - Charles with destinations mostly to other Bouches - du - Rhône towns, including buses to Aix - en - Provence, Cassis, La Ciotat and Aubagne. The city is also served with 11 other regional trains stations in the east and the north of the city. Marseille has a large ferry terminal, the Gare Maritime, with services to Corsica, Sardinia, Algeria and Tunisia. Public transport See also : Transportation in Marseille Marseille is connected by the Marseille Métro train system operated by the Régie des transports de Marseille ( RTM ). It consists of two lines : Line 1 ( blue ) between Castellane and La Rose opened in 1977 and Line 2 ( red ) between Sainte - Marguerite - Dromel and Bougainville opened between 1984 and 1987. An extension of the Line 1 from Castellane to La Timone was completed in 1992, another extension from La Timone to La Fourragère ( 2.5 km ( 1.6 mi ) and 4 new stations ) was opened in May 2010. The Métro system operates on a turnstile system, with tickets purchased at the nearby adjacent automated booths. Both lines of the Métro intersect at Gare Saint - Charles and Castellane. Three bus rapid transit lines are under construction to better connect the Métro to farther places ( Castellane - > Luminy ; Capitaine Gèze -- La Cabucelle - > Vallon des Tuves ; La Rose - > Château Gombert -- Saint Jérome ). An extensive bus network serves the city and suburbs of Marseille, with 104 lines and 633 buses. The three lines of the tramway, opened in 2007, go from the CMA CGM Tower towards Les Caillols. As in many other French cities, a bike - sharing service nicknamed `` Le vélo '', free for trips of less than half an hour, was introduced by the city council in 2007. A free ferry service operates between the two opposite quays of the Old Port. From 2011 ferry shuttle services operate between the Old Port and Pointe Rouge ; in spring 2013 it will also run to l'Estaque. There are also ferry services and boat trips available from the Old Port to Frioul, the Calanques and Cassis. Sport The Stade Vélodrome in Marseille. The city boasts a wide variety of sports facilities and teams. The most popular team is the city 's football club, Olympique de Marseille, which was the finalist of the UEFA Champions League in 1991, before winning the competition in 1993. The club also became finalists of the UEFA Cup in both 1999 and 2004. The club had a history of success under then - owner Bernard Tapie. The club 's home, the Stade Vélodrome, which can seat around 67,000 people, also functions for other local sports, as well as the national rugby team. Stade Velodrome hosted a number of games during the 1998 FIFA World Cup, 2007 Rugby World Cup, and UEFA Euro 2016. The local rugby teams are Marseille XIII and Marseille Vitrolles Rugby. Marseille is famous for its important pétanque activity, it is even renown as the pétanque capitale. In 2012 Marseille hosted the Pétanque World Championship and the city hosts every year the Mondial la Marseillaise de pétanque, the main pétanque competition. Match Race France 2008 Sailing is a major sport in Marseille. The wind conditions allow regattas in the warm waters of the Mediterranean. Throughout most seasons of the year it can be windy while the sea remains smooth enough to allow sailing. Marseille has been the host of 8 ( 2010 ) Match Race France events which are part of the World Match Racing Tour. The event draws the world 's best sailing teams to Marseille. The identical supplied boats ( J Boats J - 80 racing yachts ) are raced two at a time in an on the water dogfight which tests the sailors and skippers to the limits of their physical abilities. Points accrued count towards the World Match Racing Tour and a place in the final event, with the overall winner taking the title ISAF World Match Racing Tour Champion. Match racing is an ideal sport for spectators in Marseille, as racing in close proximity to the shore provides excellent views. The city was also considered as a possible venue for 2007 America 's Cup. Marseille is also a place for other water sports such as windsurfing and powerboating. Marseille has three golf courses. The city has dozens of gyms and several public swimming pools. Running is also popular in many of Marseille 's parks such as Le Pharo and Le Jardin Pierre Puget. An annual footrace is held between the city and neighbouring Cassis : the Marseille - Cassis Classique Internationale. Personalities See also : List of people from Marseille Honoré Daumier : Sunday at the Museum Edmond Rostand Memorial to Eliane Plewman in Dachau concentration camp Jean - Pierre Rampal Zinedine Zidane Marseille was the birthplace of : Pytheas ( fl. 4th century BC ), Greek merchant, geographer and explorer Petronius ( fl. 1st century AD ), Roman novelist and satirist Pierre Demours ( 1702 -- 1795 ), physician Jean - Henri Gourgaud, aka. `` Dugazon '' ( 1746 -- 1809 ), actor Jean - Baptiste Benoît Eyriès ( 1767 -- 1846 ), geographer, author and translator Désirée Clary ( 1777 -- 1860 ), wife of King Carl XIV Johan of Sweden, and therefore Queen Desirée or Queen Desideria of Sweden Sabin Berthelot ( 1794 -- 1880 ), naturalist and ethnologist Adolphe Thiers ( 1797 -- 1877 ), first president of the Third Republic Étienne Joseph Louis Garnier - Pages ( 1801 -- 1841 ), politician Honoré Daumier ( 1808 -- 1879 ), caricaturist and painter Joseph Autran ( 1813 -- 1877 ), poet Charles - Joseph - Eugene de Mazenod ( 1782 -- 1861 ), bishop of Marseille and founder of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Lucien Petipa ( 1815 -- 1898 ), ballet dancer Joseph Mascarel ( 1816 -- 1899 ), mayor of Los Angeles Marius Petipa ( 1818 -- 1910 ), ballet dancer and choreographer Ernest Reyer ( 1823 -- 1909 ), opera composer and music critic Olivier Émile Ollivier ( 1825 -- 1913 ), statesman Victor Maurel ( 1848 -- 1923 ), operatic baritone Joseph Pujol, aka. `` Le Pétomane '' ( 1857 -- 1945 ), entertainer Charles Fabry ( 1867 -- 1945 ), physicist Edmond Rostand ( 1868 -- 1918 ), poet and dramatist Pavlos Melas ( 1870 -- 1904 ), Greek army officer Louis Nattero, ( 1870 -- 1915 ), painter Vincent Scotto ( 1876 -- 1952 ), guitarist, songwriter Charles Camoin ( 1879 -- 1965 ), fauvist painter Henri Fabre ( 1882 -- 1984 ), aviator and inventor of the first seaplane Frédéric Mariotti ( 1883 -- 1971 ), actor Darius Milhaud ( 1892 -- 1974 ), composer and teacher Berty Albrecht ( 1893 -- 1943 ), French Resistance, Croix de Guerre Antonin Artaud ( 1897 -- 1948 ), author Henri Tomasi ( 1901 -- 1971 ), composer and conductor Zino Francescatti ( 1902 -- 1991 ), violinist Fernandel ( 1903 -- 1971 ), actor Marie - Madeleine Fourcade ( 1909 -- 1989 ), French Resistance, Commander of the Légion d'honneur Éliane Browne - Bartroli ( Eliane Plewman, 1917 -- 1944 ), French Resistance, Croix de Guerre César Baldaccini ( 1921 -- 1998 ), sculptor Louis Jourdan ( 1921 -- 2015 ), actor Jean - Pierre Rampal ( 1922 -- 2000 ), flautist Alice Colonieu, ( 1924 -- 2010 ), ceramist Paul Mauriat ( 1925 -- 2006 ), orchestra leader, composer Maurice Béjart ( 1927 -- 2007 ), ballet choreographer Régine Crespin ( 1927 -- 2007 ), opera singer Ginette Garcin ( 1928 -- 2010 ), actor André di Fusco ( 1932 -- 2001 ), known as André Pascal, songwriter, composer Henry de Lumley ( born 1934 ), archaeologist Sacha Sosno ( 1937 -- 2013 ), sculptor Jean - Pierre Ricard ( born 1944 ), cardinal, archbishop of Bordeaux Georges Chappe ( born 1944 ), cyclist Jean - Claude Izzo ( 1945 -- 2000 ), author Denis Ranque ( born 1952 ), businessman Ariane Ascaride ( born 1954 ), actress Myriam Fox - Jerusalmi ( born 1961 ), world champion slalom canoer Eric Cantona ( born 1966 ), Manchester United and French national team football player Patrick Fiori ( born 1969 ), singer Marc Panther ( born 1970 ), member of the popular Japanese rock band Globe Zinedine Zidane ( born 1972 ), professional football player and former captain of the France national football team Romain Barnier ( born 1976 ), freestyle swimmer Sébastien Grosjean ( born 1978 ), tennis player Philippe Echaroux ( born 1983 ), photographer Mathieu Flamini ( born 1984 ), football player Rémy Di Gregorio ( born 1985 ), cyclist Jessica Fox ( born 1994 ), French - born Australian slalom canoer, Olympic silver ( K - 1 slalom ), world championships bronze ( C - 1 ) The following personalities died in Marseille : Play media Newsreel showing the murder of King Alexander of Yugoslavia and French Foreign Minister Louis Barthou in Marseille ( October 1934 ). Blessed Antoine Frédéric Ozanam, on 8 September 1853. French poet Arthur Rimbaud, on 10 November 1891. Brice Meuleman, 2nd Catholic Archbishop of Calcutta, on 15 July 1924. King Alexander I of Yugoslavia was assassinated on 9 October 1934 in Marseille along with French Foreign Minister Louis Barthou. International relations See also : List of twin towns and sister cities in France Twin towns and Sister cities Marseille is currently officially twinned with 13 cities : Antwerp, Belgium Hamburg, Germany Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire Copenhagen, Denmark Dakar, Senegal Genoa, Italy Glasgow, United Kingdom Haifa, Israel Kobe, Japan Marrakech, Morocco Odessa, Ukraine Piraeus, Greece Shanghai, China Partner cities In addition, Marseille has signed various types of formal agreements of cooperation with 27 cities all over the world : Barcelona, Spain ( 1998 ) Gdańsk, Poland ( 1992 ) Agadir, Morocco ( 2003 ) Alexandria, Egypt ( 1990 ) Algiers, Algeria ( 1980 ) Bamako, Mali ( 1991 ) Beirut, Lebanon ( 2003 ) Casablanca, Morocco ( 1998 ) Istanbul, Turkey ( 2003 ) Jerusalem, Israel ( 2006 ) Limassol, Cyprus Lomé, Togo ( 1995 ) Lyon, France Meknes, Morocco ( 1998 ) Montevideo, Uruguay ( 1999 ) Nice, France Nîmes, France Rabat, Morocco ( 1989 ) Saint Petersburg, Russia ( 2013 ) Sarajevo, Bosnia - Herzegovina ( 2003 ) Thessaloniki, Greece Tirana, Albania ( 1991 ) Tripoli, Libya ( 1991 ) Tunis, Tunisia ( 1998 ) Valparaíso, Chile ( 2013 ) Varna, Bulgaria ( 2007 ) Yerevan, Armenia ( 1992 ) See also France portal List of films set in Marseille Marcel Pagnol Marseille Marine Fire Battalion Marseille soap References Notes ^ Jump up to : `` Séries historiques des résultats du recensement -- Commune Marseille ( 13055 ) ''. INSEE. Retrieved 30 July 2014. Jump up ^ https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2874200?geo=UU2010-00759 ^ Jump up to : `` Insee -- Territoire -- Métropole Aix - Marseille Provence : Un territoire fragmenté, des solidarités à construire ''. insee.fr. Jump up ^ Also occasionally spelled Masalia. Jump up ^ Duchêne & Contrucci 1998, page needed A. Jump up ^ Ebel, Charles ( 1976 ). `` Transalpine Gaul : the emergence of a Roman province ''. Brill Archive : 5 -- 16. ISBN 90 - 04 - 04384 - 5., Chapter 2, Massilia and Rome before 390 B.C. ^ Jump up to : Michelin Guide to Provence, ISBN 2 - 06 - 137503 - 0 Jump up ^ Météo France, 1981 -- 2010 averages Jump up ^ `` Normales et records 1961 -- 1990 à AKHIOK -- Infoclimat ''. Retrieved 20 April 2015. Jump up ^ `` Normales et records 1971 -- 2000 à AKHIOK -- Infoclimat ''. Retrieved 20 April 2015. Jump up ^ Neumann, Benjamin ( 1 May 2005 ). `` Les villes qui font bouger la France '' ( Cities That Are Moving France ). L'Express ( in French ). 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All different, all Marseilles, Part II ''. France Diplomatie. Retrieved 10 April 2010. Jump up ^ Chris Kimble. `` Marseille Culture ''. Marseillecityofculture.eu. Retrieved 5 May 2013. Jump up ^ History of library Jump up ^ Official website for `` Marseille Provence 2013 : European Capital of Culture '' Archived 26 August 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ `` 11 millions de visiteurs pour la capitale européenne de la culture ''. Retrieved 20 April 2015. Jump up ^ see : Musée du Vieux - Marseille ( 2004 ), Cartes à jouer & tarots de Marseille : La donation Camoin, Alors Hors Du Temps, ISBN 2 - 9517932 - 7 - 8, official catalogue of the permanent collection of playing cards from the museum of Vieux - Marseille, including a detailed history of Tarot de Marseille Depaulis, Thierry ( 1984 ), Tarot, jeu et magie, Bibliothèque nationale, ISBN 2 - 7177 - 1699 - 8 Jump up ^ `` Opera in Genoa, Nice, Marseille, Montpellier, Barcelona ''. Capsuropera.com. Archived from the original on 23 December 2008. Retrieved 5 May 2009. Jump up ^ `` Schmap Marseille Sights & Attractions -- 6th arrond ''. Schmap.com. Retrieved 5 May 2009. Jump up ^ Official website, Opéra de Marseille Jump up ^ `` Marseille 2013 ''. EuroPride. Retrieved 20 April 2015. Jump up ^ `` March 2013 Newsletter ''. FIDMarseille. Archived from the original on 7 October 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2013. Jump up ^ `` octobre, 2012 -- Dock des Suds : festivals, concerts de musique et location de salles à Marseille '' ( in French ). Dock des Suds. Retrieved 12 March 2013. Jump up ^ `` In Marseille, Rap Helps Keep the Peace '', Article in New York Times, December 2007 Cannon, Steve ; Dauncey, Hugh ( 2003 ), Popular music in France from chanson to techno : culture, identity, and society, Ashgate Publishing, pp. 194 -- 198, ISBN 0 - 7546 - 0849 - 2 Jump up ^ `` La bouillabaisse classique doit comporter les ' trois poissons ' : rascasse, grondin, congre. '' Michelin Guide Vert - Côte dAzur, 1990, page 31 Jump up ^ ( 1 ) History and traditional recipe of bouillabaisse on the site of the Marseille Tourism Office ^ Jump up to : David, Elizabeth ( 1999 ). French Provincial Cooking. Penguin Classics. ISBN 0 - 14 - 118153 - 2. Jump up ^ Wright, Clifford ( 2002 ). `` Real Stew ''. Harvard Common Press. ISBN 1 - 55832 - 199 - 3. Jump up ^ Jean - Louis André, Cuisines des pays de France, Éditions du Chêne, 2001 ^ Jump up to : Trott 2007, pp. 104. Jump up ^ Fisher, M.F.K. ( 1978 ). A Considerable Town. New York : Knopf. p. 150. ISBN 0 - 394 - 42711 - 4. Jump up ^ Root, Waverley ( 1992 ) ( Originally published 1958 ). The Food of France. New York : Vintage Books. p. 333. ISBN 0 - 679 - 73897 - 5. panisso, made either of chick - pea or maize flour, boiled into a sort of mush, then allowed to cool and become more solid, when it is fried. Jump up ^ Redman, Chris ( 5 June 2003 ). `` Pass the Pastis ''. France Today. Jump up ^ Olney, Richard ( 1994 ). Lulu 's Provenc̜al Table : the exuberant food and wine from Domaine Tempier Vineyard. New York : HarperCollins Publishers. p. 79. ISBN 0 - 06 - 016922 - 2. Jump up ^ Trott 2007, pp. 251 -- 253. ^ Jump up to : `` The Highlights ''. Office de tourisme Marseille. Jump up ^ `` Présentation du CiPM ''. Centre international de la Poèsie, Marseille ( CiPM ) ( in French ). Jump up ^ `` Christmas Time ''. Office de tourisme Marseille. Jump up ^ Trott 2007, pp. 264 -- 267. Jump up ^ `` MuCEM and J4 ''. Office de tourisme Marseille. Retrieved 2 April 2015. Jump up ^ `` Between the sky and the sea ''. Villa Méditerranée. Retrieved 2 April 2015. Jump up ^ `` Regards de Provence Museum ''. Musée Regards de Provence. Jump up ^ `` Opening of the Château Borély, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, de la Faïence et de la Mode ''. Marseille - Provence 2013 European Capital of Culture. June 2013. Archived from the original on 4 April 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2015. Jump up ^ `` Musée d'Art Contemporain de Marseille ''. Saatchi Gallery. Retrieved 5 May 2013. Jump up ^ Trott 2007, p. 225. Jump up ^ Trott 2007, pp. 256 -- 257. Jump up ^ `` The Docks ''. Office de tourisme Marseille. Retrieved 27 May 2015. ^ Jump up to : Trott 2007, pp. 261. Jump up ^ `` The Beaches ''. Office de tourisme Marseille. Retrieved 27 May 2015. Jump up ^ Trott 2007, pp. 195 -- 197. Jump up ^ `` Origins of the Calanques National Park ''. Parc National des Calanques. Retrieved 27 May 2015. Jump up ^ Trott 2007, pp. 267. Jump up ^ `` Marseille - Provence bat tous les records avec 8, 3 millions de passagers en 2012 ''. Tourmag.com. Retrieved 12 March 2013. Jump up ^ `` Official website of the Marseille tramway ''. Le-tram.fr. Retrieved 1 February 2010. Jump up ^ `` Website for Le vélo '' ( in French ). Levelo-mpm.fr. Retrieved 1 February 2010. Jump up ^ `` Se déplacer -- Navettes maritimes '' ( in French ). Marseille.fr. 26 September 2004. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 12 March 2013. Jump up ^ `` Boules : Marseille capitale mondiale de la pétanque en 2012 ''. La Provence. 14 December 2008. Retrieved 12 March 2013. Jump up ^ `` Sailing to Success ''. Newsweek. 3 July 2006. Retrieved 5 May 2009. Jump up ^ `` Scotto Opérettes Marseillaises Accord 4762107 ; Classical CD Reviews -- November 2006 MusicWeb - International ''. Musicweb-international.com. Retrieved 5 May 2009. Jump up ^ Jessula, Georges ( 2003 ). `` Darius Milhaud, Compositeur de Musique ''. Revue Juive : 140 -- 144. Since their marriage in 1892, Milhaud 's parents lived in the Bras d'Or in Aix - en - Provence, where their son grew up ; however he was delivered at the home of his maternal grandparents in Marseille. Jump up ^ Milhaud, Darius ( 1998 ). `` Ma Vie heureuse ''. Zurfluh. ISBN 2 - 87750 - 083 - 7. Jump up ^ `` Jewish Australian kayaker Jessica Fox takes silver medal ''. Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 20 April 2015. ^ Jump up to : `` Villes jumelées '' ( PDF ). Site Officiel de la Ville de Marseille ( in French ). 20 July 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2015. Jump up ^ `` Kobe 's Sister Cities ''. Kobe Trade Information Office. Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2013. ^ Jump up to : `` Twinnings '' ( PDF ). Central Union of Municipalities & Communities of Greece. Retrieved 25 August 2013. ^ Jump up to : `` Accords de coopération '' ( PDF ). Site Officiel de la Ville de Marseille ( in French ). Retrieved 6 October 2015. Jump up ^ `` Gdańsk Official Website : ' Miasta partnerskie ' '' ( in Polish and English ). Urząd Miejski w Gdańsku. 2009. Archived from the original on 23 July 2013. Retrieved 11 July 2009. Jump up ^ `` Limassol Twinned Cities ''. Limassol ( Lemesos ) Municipality. Archived from the original on 1 April 2013. Retrieved 29 July 2013. Jump up ^ `` Twinning Cities : International Relations '' ( PDF ). Municipality of Tirana. Archived from the original ( PDF ) on 10 October 2011. Retrieved 23 June 2009. Jump up ^ `` Yerevan -- Twin Towns & Sister Cities ''. Yerevan Municipality Official Website. Retrieved 4 November 2013. Jump up ^ ԵՐԵՎԱՆԻ ՔԱՂԱՔԱՊԵՏԱՐԱՆՊԱՇՏՈՆԱԿԱՆ ԿԱՅՔ ( Yerevan expanding its international relations ). Yerevan Municipality Official Website ( in Armenian ). Archived from the original on 12 May 2013. Retrieved 5 August 2013. Bibliography INSEE Palanque, J.R. ( 1990 ). `` Ligures, Celtes et Grecs '' ( Ligures, Celts and Greeks ). In Baratier, Edouard. Histoire de la Provence ( History of Provence ). Univers de la France ( in French ). Toulouse : Editions Privat. ISBN 2 - 7089 - 1649 - 1. Abulafia, David, ed. ( 1999 ). The New Cambridge Medieval History. 5. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0 - 521 - 36289 - X. Duchêne, Roger ; Contrucci, Jean ( 1998 ). Marseille, 2600 ans d'histoire ( Marseille, 2600 Years of History ) ( in French ). Paris : Editions Fayard. ISBN 2 - 213 - 60197 - 6. Kitson, Simon ( 2014 ). Police and Politics in Marseille, 1936 -- 1945. Amsterdam : Brill. ISBN 978 - 90 - 04 - 24835 - 9. Liauzu, Claude ( 1996 ). Histoire des migrations en Méditerranée occidentale ( History of Migration in the Western Mediterranean ) ( in French ). Brussels : Editions Complexe. ISBN 2 - 87027 - 608 - 7. Trott, Victoria ( 2007 ). Cannon, Gwen ; Watkins, Gaven, eds. Provence. London : Michelin Apa Publications. ISBN 978 - 1 - 906261 - 29 - 0. Further reading Cobb, Richard ( 2001 ). Marseille ( in French ). Paris : Allia. ISBN 978 - 2 - 84485 - 064 - 5. Savitch, H.V. ; Kantor, Paul ( 2002 ). `` Cities in the International Market Place : The Political Economy of Urban Development in North America and Western Europe ''. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0 - 691 - 09159 - 5. Peraldi, Michel ; Samson, Michel ( 2006 ). `` Gouverner Marseille : Enquête sur les mondes politiques marseillais ''. Editions La Découverte. ISBN 2 - 7071 - 4964 - 0. Busquet, Raoul ( 1954 ). `` Histoire de la Provence des origines à la révolution française ''. Éditions Jeanne Lafitte. ISBN 2 - 86276 - 319 - 5. Attard - Marainchi, Marie - Françoise ; Échinard, Pierre ; Jordi, Jean - Jacques ; Lopez, Renée ; Sayad, Abdelmalek ; Témime, Émile ( 2007 ). `` Migrance -- histoires des migrations à Marseille ''. Éditions Jeanne Laffitte. ISBN 978 - 2 - 86276 - 450 - 4., single book comprising 4 separate volumes : La préhistoire de la migration ( 1482 -- 1830 ) ; L'expansion marseillaise et `` l'invasion italienne '' ( 1830 -- 1918 ) ; Le cosomopolitisme de l'entre - deux - guerres ( 1919 -- 1945 ) ; Le choc de la décolonisation ( 1945 -- 1990 ). External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Marseille. Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Marseille. Official website Marseille Places of interest Château d'If Gare de Marseille Saint - Charles Hippodrome de Marseille Borely L'Estaque Canebière Notre - Dame de la Garde Opéra de Marseille Unité d'habitation Vieux Port Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations La Friche Plages du Prado Palais Longchamp Fort Saint - Jean ( Marseille ) Geography Huveaune Massif de l'Étoile Calanque Mont Puget Frioul archipelago Arrondissements of Marseille History Timeline 2015 Marseille shooting Sporting clubs Olympique de Marseille Marseille Consolat Marseille Provence XV Marseille XIII Arrondissements of Marseille 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th 16th Prefectures of departments of France Bourg - en - Bresse ( Ain ) Laon ( Aisne ) Moulins ( Allier ) Digne - les - Bains ( Alpes - de-Haute - Provence ) Gap ( Hautes - Alpes ) Nice ( Alpes - Maritimes ) Privas ( Ardèche ) Charleville - Mézières ( Ardennes ) Foix ( Ariège ) Troyes ( Aube ) Carcassonne ( Aude ) Rodez ( Aveyron ) Marseille ( Bouches - 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Question: what city in france was originally a greek state
Answer: Marseille