Marseille
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Marseille is the second largest city in France and the largest in Provence Alpes-Côte d'Azur. CouchSearch finds more than 800 active members in the city.
This page is also available in French (Marseille2)
Contents |
GENERAL INFORMATION
Marseilles with more than 1 million inhabitants is a city impossible to miss in France. It bathes in the sun more than 280 days per year and has a magnificent panoramic view of the Mediterranean Sea.
Of the many sights to be visited - the famous basilica of "Notre Dame de la Garde" which looks over the people of Marseilles and her visitors. But the “Bonne Mère” is not the only highlight spot of Marseilles....
The 'Vieux Port" (antique Port) where you can walk around and install yourself in one of the many terraces, cafés, bars or restaurants and visit the famous fish market (“my fresh fish is still moving !“).
From the oldest neighbourhood in Marseilles “Le Panier”(which translated means basket) to the Docks of the Joliette while passing by “Belle-de-Mai” and Estaque, you will discover an urban paradise swarming with sunny discoveries.
For the amateurs of idleness, cicadas, “pastaga”, “petanque” will be on your agenda as you discover the specialities of Marseilles and its people.
And, of course so many other places are to be discovered like the beaches along the coast, the creeks “les Calanques” authentic natural paradises and the beautiful parks and museums of Marseilles.
What more to say ? ...
Come to discover this city,
a truly diverse cultural and social universe …
striving since more than 2600 years ago with her arms
open towards the sea,
and the world.
Tourist information :
CS ACTIVITES IN MARSEILLE
You can reach the couchsurfers of Marseille on the CS group
Regular meetings and small local meet-ups take place a few times a week (drink - cinema - theatre - concert - excursion and various events). For more info check out the CS group of Marseille
A monthly CS meeting in scheduled each month in order to socialize and to welcome new members. Next meeting : friday, september, 12th - 2008
Next meeting : Italian party !!! (To say farewel to Marco, CS member) : friday, august, 29th - 2008
EMERGENCY COUCHES AVAILABLE
For an emergency, post in the [Emergency couch search group]
TRANSPORTATION
WELCOME TO MARSEILLES !
By plane :
The International Airport of Marseille-Provence is located at 25 kms from Marseilles city center. Shuttles are available on a regular basis (25 min. one single trip - 8.50€/voucher).
Taxis costs around 40€ and is at 20 min. from downtown.
Frequent daily flights are available to Paris and other European major cities such as Madrid - London - Munich - Eindoven - Stockholm... from the MP2 terminal !
By train :
The Train Station Marseille - St Charles is at the inner center of Marseilles. To Paris by TGV (high speed train) : 3h15 / Lyon : 1h40 / Nice : 2h20 It is recommanded to buy online IDTGV or Prem's tickets (see SNCF bookings)
To go to other parts of Southern France other train network is also available :
TER (Express Regional Train) in the *PACA Region (and most of the regional LER (Express Regional Line). *Provence, the Alps, & the French riviera
By bus : You have some bus companies like Eurolines which can get you to Marseilles easily.
How to move around downtown : map of Marseille
by bus/subway/tramway : 1.70€/hour RTM
by bicycle : (for rent : payment only by bank card) le velo
WHAT TO DO AND SEE
Free maps of the town are available in the Tourism Office
TO SEE DOWN TOWN :
- Vieux Port, on the City Hall side and Quai de Rive Neuve
- Panier district
- Vieille Charité
- City Hall
- Canebière
- Cathedrals
- Abbey of Saint Victor and le " Four des Navettes "
- forts St Nicolas & St Jean
- Palais du Pharo
- Palais de la Bourse
- Opéra
- Cours Belsunce and cours Saint Louis
- Rue de la République
- Palais Longchamp
NEAR BY
- Stade Velodrome,football informations
- Cité Radieuse (of the architect Le Corbusier)
- Docks
- Estaque
If you wish to discover nature wonders and landscapes :
- creeks (les Calanques)
- islands near Marseilles
- beaches
- Château d'If and Frioul islands information about islands
WHAT TO DO
A great number of activities are proposed such as theatre plays, operas, exhibitions in various museums, conferences, concerts, etc. Marseille has applied, along with three other French cities, for beeing «European Capital of Culture 2013 ».
- CULTURAL EVENTS :
For the amateurs of sports, Marseilles and its surroundings offer a great variety of landscapes (sea, hills, mountains, countrysides).
- SPORTS EVENTS :
the bowl international skatepark
Activités proposées par l'office du tourisme
NEIGHBOURHOODS
Around Marseilles :
- provencal towns : Aix en Provence, Arles, Avignon, Nimes, ...
- typical cities or villages : Cassis, Gémenos, Aubagne, le Castellet, Allauch...
You may also follow the coast, by feet, (many footpaths), by car or by boat...
- in the countryside of Saint-Rémy de Provence and The Alpilles :
It's the traditional back-country, the land of famous writers such as Alphonse Daudet and Frederic Mistral. Near places are to visit such as the trendy Saint-Rémy de provence and les Baux de Provence, Fontvieille, Maussane, Eygalières, Tarascon, etc...
- in the countryside of Arles, Camargues and Crau : places surrounded by rivers, swamps and plains. Nature is wild there and in the area fauna is exceptional : birds watching, bulls, horses, sheeps... In the area, there is the city of Arles, classified as the world heritage of humanity by the worldwide organization UNESCO. In the city there are strong prints of traditions from Provence and from Camargues.
- in the country of Martigues and the Blue Coast (summer touristic places) : the maritime coast is very important and are fulfilled with harbours and beaches.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
- Police Station and pound : telephone number : 17
- Health Urgency : telephone number : 15 or 115
- Hopitals
- Fireman Station : telephone number : 18 or 112
- Embassy
- Emergency Doctor
- mistreated childhood : telephone number : 119
