Marseilles is the oldest city and 2nd most populous, situated in the south east coast of France on the Mediterranean Sea. Marseille is France's largest commercial port and has always been one of the main gateway into France. If the Mediterranean seas isn't for you, you can opt to fly-in from Paris for one hour and twenty-minutes to Marseille Provence airport. While the new Mediterranean high speed train (TGV) takes you to Marseilles from Paris in in 3 hours. Still, with almost twenty five percent of the population being immigrants from other parts of the world, there are all sorts of culinary delights to be discovered in Marseilles. Add in to that the fact that Marseilles is situated directly on the Mediterranean Sea and you throw in that culture as well and you end up with food unlike anything you have experienced before or likely will again.
Like many cities throughout Europe, Marseilles has many youth hostels and backpackers lounges as well as some pension houses. However, those are pretty well geared only towards people in limited age groups. Not to worry however, as hotel rooms in Marseilles are very reasonably priced. Mercure Marseille Prado Hotel average around one-hundred to one-hundred (100) and twenty five (125) US dollars per night. Cheap hotels like the Hotel Huitime Marseille starts at fifty-nine US dollars (US$ 59).
Marseilles Must Eats
Get to know Marseilles through your stomach! You should try the following:
- Pastis - an institution seen on every table, this is an alcoholic beverage made with aniseed and spice
- Fougasse common Provençal bread
- Aïoli - a sauce from raw garlic, lemon juice, eggs and olive oil, usually served with boiled fish, hard boiled eggs and cooked vegetables. Usually partnered with pasta, YUM!
- Bouillabaisse, a fish soup containing assorted shellfish, fish and veggies, served with rouille, toasted bread and parmesan
- Navette, a biscuit in the shape of a boat, flavoured with orange blossom
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