Marseille

What it's known for

Marseille is the oldest city in France and the country's leading port. Greek settlers from Phocaea founded it around 600 BC as Massalia, and its Old Port is still the heart of the city. It is also the home of the football club Olympique de Marseille.

Fun facts

1. France's national anthem is called La Marseillaise because volunteers from Marseille were the first to sing it in Paris.
2. The Château d'If, on an island in the bay, was made famous by the novel The Count of Monte Cristo.
3. Part of the city lies inside Calanques National Park, so Marseille is the only large French city with a national park within its limits.