Summer Holiday in Marseille

MARSEILLE (Marsiglia, in Italian) is a coast city in the South of France, the second most populated city of France, the biggest mediterranean port and the economic center of the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur Region. Marseille has a rugged, unpredictable charm. With the tanned plutocrats of Monaco and the blazered aristocrats of St-Tropez to the east, and sniffy Aix to the northm, its colours even brighter, the louche, sun-soaked terraces of its cafe's even sexier.

Don't miss Get up early and explore the legendary daily seafood and fish market at the Vieux Port. Foodies should book in for a bouillabaisse course and learn to cook the local dish. The legendary fish stew was invented by Marseille fishermen, who cooked it for their families using their unsold catch.

The sun-bleached white turrets of Chateau, the 16th-century island prison immortalised in Alexandre Dumas masterpiece The count of Monte Cristo, are nowadays populated by seagulls and salamanders rather than convicts. The chateau is quickly visited, so bring a picnic and enjoy the clean seawater.

How to get there British Airways flies from London Gatwick to Marseille.
During the summer holidays, EuroStar can take you to Marseille easier any time you want.

Where to stay The new Hotel Bompard and cool off in the poor, doubles from £97. Or refer to Hotel in Marseille for more information.