VI
EN
MarseilleMarseille is a port city in France and the capital of the Bouches-du-Rhône department. Not only is it France's first port city on the Mediterranean coast, bathed in year-round blue sea and abundant sunshine, but it is also a major commercial center of France, second only to Paris in size.
Marseille is located about 700 km southeast of Paris. The distance may seem far, but if you choose to take a high-speed train from Paris, it only takes about 3 hours to get there.
This port city is nestled between the Mediterranean Sea to the west, the Calanques mountains to the south, and the verdant coastlines to the north, which were beautifully depicted in the paintings of Paul Cézanne, a native of this land. As one of the oldest cities in Europe, founded 2,600 years ago, Marseille boasts stunningly beautiful ancient architecture and is even featured in the French national anthem, "La Marseillaise," composed by military engineer Rouget de Lisle in 1792.
Notably, Marseille was one of the first places in France where Vietnamese people lived, as the primary means of transportation to the country was initially by ship. Therefore, Marseille bears strong Vietnamese imprints, exemplified by the Truc Lam Pagoda, built in 1987, and the Vietnamese community center on Joliette Street, a frequent gathering place for the Vietnamese diaspora.
When visiting Marseille, tourists cannot miss the city's most famous landmarks, such as:
Le Panier Old Town
When visiting Marseille, you absolutely must visit the historic Le Panier district. With its narrow streets and ancient buildings, Le Panier is sure to create wonderful memories during your trip to Marseille.
Notre Dame de la Garde Church
Notre Dame de la Garde (Our Lady of Protection) is the most prominent and beautiful church in Marseille, built on a hilltop 162 meters above sea level. To reach Notre Dame de la Garde, visitors must climb 170 steps, from which they can admire the panoramic view of the beautiful city of Marseille. The church, with its ancient architecture, is a symbol of the city, along with the statue of the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus, known as the Bonne Mère, considered sacred and protective of the local people, especially the fishermen who work at sea.
Vieux Port, the ancient harbor
Marseille is a port city, so you can't miss visiting the ancient Vieux Port. For the people of Marseille, Vieux Port is a source of long-standing pride and is always bustling with tourists. Founded 2,600 years ago, Vieux Port was a hub for ships and merchants from all over the world who gathered there to trade and conduct business.
Today, although Vieux Port is no longer bustling with commercial activity, it has become an attractive tourist destination, always crowded with foreign visitors as well as sailboats and fishing boats bobbing on the clear blue water. You can see Vieux Port in many unique and different colors, or you can choose a special experience by renting a boat, admiring the beautiful scenery and enjoying delicious fresh seafood.
Calanques Bay and its beaches
If you want to see the crystal-clear blue of the sea and enjoy a refreshing, invigorating feeling, then head to Calanques Bay. This bay attracts many tourists in Marseille because of its irresistible beauty. Marseille is the largest port city in France, so it has many beautiful bays. Calanques boasts the Mediterranean sea color along with pristine white cliffs surrounding it. With just a touch of golden sunlight, Calanques Bay reflects sparkling rays, creating a dreamy atmosphere. Moreover, occasionally a few speedboats will glide across the water, creating long white streaks that make Calanques Bay even more magnificent.
As a coastal city, visitors naturally cannot miss the harbors, beaches, and rocky coves… The beaches in Marseille are always bustling with people sunbathing and playing in the Mediterranean waters. It can be said that nature has bestowed so much upon this port city.
Longchamps Water Castle
In the 19th century, Marseille suffered from a severe water shortage, so a structure honoring water was built there: the Palais Longchamps water palace. This water palace has a semicircular shape with many magnificent stone columns. Inside is a large fountain with meticulous sculptures and exquisite, impressive decorations.
Additional information
Trip:Several airlines operate flights from Vietnam to Marseille, including Vietnam Airlines, Air France, Qatar Airways, and Jetstar Asia.
Time:Marseille is a tourist city with a typical Mediterranean climate, with sunny seasons lasting most of the year and an average temperature of around 15.9°C.oC. The rainy season lasts from October to December, summer is from June to September. Winter is the coldest time, lasting from December to February. Tourists should choose to visit Marseille in spring, summer, or autumn.
Vehicle:The tourist city of Marseille has a fairly convenient transport system, including 2 metro lines, 2 tram lines, and 74 bus routes. You can buy bus/metro tickets at cafes, metro stations, or on the bus. You can buy multi-journey tickets (carte libertés) for €6.30 (5 trips) or €12.60 (10 trips) if you need to travel frequently.
The subway closes at 10:30 PM on weekdays and operates until 12:30 AM on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sunday evenings. The tram system operates until 12:30 AM throughout the week. And most bus routes do not operate after 9 PM.
After 9 PM, you can travel by taxi or use a popular ride-sharing app in Europe like BlaBlaCar to save money.
Accommodation:Most accommodations in Marseille are a bit expensive, with prices around 50 EUR for a double room in a hotel and around 18-25 EUR for a bed in a hostel dorm room.
Cuisine:You should try the famous Bouillabaisse seafood soup from Marseille, the boat-shaped Navette de Marseille biscuits, and Aioli, a mayonnaise-like emulsion – a famous dish of Marseille and Provence in general. Additionally, sampling Pasti, an alcoholic beverage with anise and various spices, offers visitors a unique culinary experience.
