Founded in 600 BC by some Phocean sailors, Marseille has always linked its economic fortunes to its strategic geographical position. The proximity to the sea, in fact, encouraged the peoples who lived there to give a strong impulse to trade, which essentially took place in the area now called Porto Vecchio.
The intensification of maritime traffic in the first half of the 19th century led the Marseillais to expand the port area. The works of the Grand seaport ended in 1853, transforming that of Marseille into the first port of France, a record it still boasts today.
Although Marseille owes much of its development to the port, it is much more than that. The city - and in particular the historic center - is full of places and monuments that allow Marseilles and visitors to have a constant dialogue with the past, whether recent or not.
The importance given by Marseille to its historical and artistic heritage is well represented by the presence of numerous museums, among which the MuCEm (Musée des civilizations de l'Europe et de la Méditerranée) stands out. The efforts made to enhance this sector have borne fruit: in 2013 Marseille was designated the European Capital of Culture.
Contrary to what one might think, Marseille is also synonymous with nature: at the end of La Corniche, the city waterfront, there is the Prado Seaside Park. A green lung that not only includes meadows, but also the beaches of sand and gravel (six), in short, the ideal place to stroll and relax.
Not far from the park stands one of the most singular buildings in Marseille: we are referring to the famous Radiant City, designed and built by the Swiss architect Le Corbusier. The complex (which houses apartments, shops, hotels, etc.) is a historical monument of France since 1995 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2016.
Before leaving Marseille and France, we suggest an excursion to discover the Calanques National Park: born in 2012, it was established to preserve not only the imposing and suggestive limestone cliffs, but also the numerous marine and terrestrial ecosystems that characterize the area.