Overview
Marseille is known for its rap music, football team, ancient traditions and its surrounding natural beauty. The best time to visit Marseille is during the summer. Marseille is located in the Rhone Delta at the south end of the Rhone Valley, a long north-south rift between the Cevenees Mountains and the foothills of the French Alps. Marseille has a Mediterranean climate.
Statistics
Location: Department of the Bouches du Rhone, Provence region, southern France
International Dialing code: 33
Time zone: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October)
Average temperatures (January): 7°C (45°F)
Average temperatures (July): 25°C (77°F)
Official Language: French
Currency
The Euro (EUR) is the official currency in Marseille, France. Currency can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and some large hotels. Major credit cards are widely accepted.
1.00 GBP = 1.13 EUR
1.00 USD = 0.69 EUR
Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.
Emergency Contacts
Police: 17 - free call
Fire service : 18 – free call
Ambulance : 15 – free call
Attractions

Vieux Port (Old Port)

Notre Dame de la Garde

Le Panier and the Vieille Charité

Abbaye de Saint Victor (Saint Victor Abbey)
Nightlife
Thanks to its history as a cultural melting pot, Marseilles pulsates at night, particularly its live music and night club scene. The best after dark hot spots in Marseille include the Vieux Port and Place Thiars, and the Escale Borély, a waterfront development south of the town centre (a 20-minute ride on the bus 83), right by the sea. For more exact listings read Sortir, the daily paper, or l'Officiel des Loisirs. Also worth checking out is le Cours Julien, a square lined with cafes and restaurants in the La Plaine area.
Shopping
There are several markets in Marseille. One not to miss is the fish market on the Quai des Belges, at the Vieux Porta, which becomes a real spectacle as local fishermen compete with one another to sell the catch of the day to passers-by.
Hotels
The hotels in Marseille have been grouped into four different pricing categories:
Category 4 – Over € 200
Category 3 – From €140 to €200
Category 2 – From €70 to €140
Category 1 – Up to € 70
The above prices are the lowest standard rates for a double room, including VAT and room tax but excluding breakfast.
Resturants
The restaurants in Marseille have been grouped into four different pricing categories:
Category 4 – Over €60
Category 3 – From €30 to €60
Category 2 – From €15 to €30
Category 1 – Up to €15
These prices are for an average three-course meal for one and for a bottle of house wine or cheapest equivalent.