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Marseilles
Marseilles is France's second largest and most ancient city. It was founded by the Greeks in 600BC and was later conquered by the Romans, after becoming a thriving port and centre for trade. Today it is littered with ancient sites and artefacts; mostly Roman additions to the original Greek settlement. Other than its colourful old harbour, the city does not have much appeal in the way of architecture. It is characterised by acres of slumlands and has a reputation for having a very active underground criminal element. Marseilles is, however, very down to earth and lacks the pretension of most other French cities, with plenty of attractions and pedestrianised squares to explore. The city is also divided into arrondissements in the style of Paris, which makes it relatively easy to get around on the metro.
The Old Port area is filled with restaurants, bars, hotels, office blocks and a daily fish market at the Belgian Quay, giving it a lively and sophisticated air. There are also a number of museums (including a maritime museum), galleries, theatres and shops dotted about the city that are worth visiting. Marseilles is also famed for its Opéra; an Art Deco opera house situated in the heart of the city that was all but destroyed by fire in 1920. The outgoing, friendly inhabitants of Marseille are a cosmopolitan bunch, although about a quarter of the population are North African by descent, and they eschew the style and image consciousness of the rest of the Cote d'Azur, creating a more African flavour and a vibrant atmosphere. Marseilles also acts as a good base for exploring the nearby natural beauty of the calanques (or Mediterranean fjords) and some excellent beaches.
