Marseille is France's oldest and largest port and is tough, cosmopolitan, and colorful. Founded by the Greeks in 17th century B.C., it remained independent of France until the 15th century, after which it made a specialty of its  own Mediterranean brand of turbulence:The Revolutionary hymn "La Marseillaise" owes its name to tho fervor of the Marseillais rebels.
France's gateway to the Middle East and to North Africa, Marseille has always been a cultural melting pot. The great boulevard of La Canebiere, still a bustling though slightly run-down thoroughfare, was once where Western magnates and Eastern potentates met, while their ships moored in the harbor. The Vieux Port remains the focus of the city, its old forts now overlooking a fish market and some superb restaurants. 
 

Marseille's reputation as the "Chicago of France," was built on tales of Mafia, financial corruption and drugs. In the 1960s and '70s this was the infamous "French Connection"providing drugs for the United States.  More recently Marseille has done much to clean up its image. The Mafia has moved down the coast and today the city is a vibrant, spicy concoction, worthy of its most famous dish, the thick fish stew, bouillabaisse.
 

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