Car Hire Marseille
Car Hire France » Car Hire Marseille
Marseille Geography
Second largest city in France, Marseille is the capital of the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur r»gion, and also the capital of the Bouches-du-Rh»ne d»partment. It is located in the South of France, on the Mediterranean Sea, and is the largest French commercial port.
Marseille is the second most populated city in France, with a large immigrant population, mostly coming from North Africa, Italy and Spain.
The weather is shiny and mild all the year around in Marseille. Summers are usually hot and dry, and winters are mild but frost and Mistral, a cold and strong wind blowing in the region, often occur.
In the South of Marseille, the Calanques are Mediterranean fjords that offer a spectacular view and the opportunity to enjoy a lovely excursion.
Marseille History
With its 2,600-year-old History, Marseille is the oldest city in France.
It was first called Massalia, when Greek sailors coming from Phocaea founded the city. Its History has then been marked by mayhem and unrest, as the great powers of the Mediterranean Sea lusted for this fast-growing trading port.
It was only in 1481 that Marseille became a city of France. La Marseillaise, which was first sung by troops from Marseille on their way to join the French Revolution in Paris, is now the national anthem of France.
Car Hire Marseille
Rent a car with Auto Reservation Plus to explore the city and its surroundings. Drive through the typical streets of Marseille or hire a car at the Airport, which is 25 km North West of the city. For all your excursions, get a cheap rental car: go to the breath-taking Calanques cliffs or spend a day in the picturesque town of Cassis, 22km East of Marseille. Hire a car to go to one of the 23 beaches around Marseille, where you will enjoy the azure-blue sea.
Marseille Information
Getting to Marseille
Marseille Provence Airport: located 25 km North West of the city, the airport has two terminals, for international and domestic flights.
Gare de Marseille Saint Charles: trains go to the main French cities, and serve some European cities such as Brussels and Geneva. With the high speed train TGV, you can get to Paris in just three hours. The station is situated near the city centre.
Marseille Places/Events
Although Marseille is one of the oldest cities in Europe, it is very lively. Be sure that its bustling streets and its bon vivant citizens will give you a warm welcome.
When you go to Marseille, you will have to discover the Panier quarter, the oldest part of the city, with its typical narrow streets and sloping stairs. South of the Panier district is the Vieux Port, an animated fish market where you will easily find seafood restaurants that serve bouillabaisse, a local fish soup made with freshly caught fish.
Overlooking the city and the suburbs, Notre Dame de la Garde is a 19th-century basilica, topped with a golden statue of the Virgin Mary. Another typical place to visit in Marseille is the Chateau d'If, a fortress built on the island of If, which was made famous by Alexandre Dumas' novel Le Comte de Monte Cristo.
The Phocaean City is close to 23 beaches, so you can enjoy various water sports, sailing, fishing and also salt water therapies. Near the city, you will be amazed by the view of the turquoise waters in the Calanques and its stunning waterfalls.
Here are a few events that take place in Marseille and that you have to attend!
February: the Open 13, a very popular tennis tournament held in Marseille's Palais des Sports.
March: Marseille Carnival, a traditional carnival parade.
April: the SNIM (the International Mediterranean Nautical Week) is the only international boat-race that is held in the Mediterranean Sea.
June: Festival de Marseille, a series of dance, music and theatre performances.
July: Bastille Day (national day) on the 14th, with a folk parade and a ball, followed by the traditional fireworks;
Festival des Iles, a music and theatre festival in the bay of Marseille.
August: Fete de l'Assomption on the 15th, a procession dedicated to the Madonna.
September: Festival of the Wind, which celebrates Marseille's Mistral wind with animated kite flying.
|
