Marseille: The Enchanting Gateway to Provence

• HelloBonjour
  [bohn-zhoor]
• GoodbyeAu revoir
  [oh ruh-vwahr]
• YesOui
  [wee]
• NoNon
  [nohn]
• Please/You're welcomeS'il vous plaît / De rien
  [seel voo pleh / duh ryen]
• Thank youMerci
  [mehr-see]
• Excuse me/SorryExcusez-moi/Désolé
  [ehk-skew-zay mwah / day-zoh-lay]
• How are you?Comment ça va?
  [koh-mohn sah vah]
• Fine. And you?Bien. Et vous?
  [byen. ay voo]
• Do you speak English?Parlez-vous anglais?
  [par-lay voo ahn-glay]
• I don't understandJe ne comprends pas
  [zhuh nuh kohm-prahnd pah]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseJe voudrais voir la carte, s'il vous plaît
  [zhuh voo-dray vwahr lah kahrt, seel voo pleh]
• I don't eat meatJe ne mange pas de viande
  [zhuh nuh mahnj pah duh vyand]
• Cheers!Santé!
  [sahn-tay]
• I would like to pay, pleaseJe voudrais payer, s'il vous plaît
  [zhuh voo-dray pay-ay, seel voo pleh]

• Help!Au secours!
  [oh suh-koor]
• Go away!Allez-vous-en!
  [al-lay voo zah]
• Call the Police!Appelez la police!
  [ah-pay-lay lah poh-lees]
• Call a doctor!Appelez un médecin!
  [ah-pay-lay uh mayd-sahn]
• I'm lostJe suis perdu
  [zhuh swee pair-doo]
• I'm illJe suis malade
  [zhuh swee mah-lahd]

• I'd like to buy...Je voudrais acheter...
  [zhuh voo-dray ah-shuh-tay]
• I'm just lookingJe regarde juste
  [zhuh ruh-gard zhewst]
• How much is it?Combien ça coûte?
  [kohm-byen sah koot]
• That's too expensiveC'est trop cher
  [say troh shay]
• Can you lower the price?Pouvez-vous baisser le prix?
  [poo-vay voo bay-say luh pree]

• What time is it?Quelle heure est-il?
  [kell uhr eh-teel]
• It's one o'clockIl est une heure
  [eel eh tewnuhr]
• Half past (10)Dix heures et demie
  [dees uhr ay duh-mee]
• MorningMatin
  [mah-tan]
• AfternoonAprès-midi
  [ah-pray mee-dee]
• EveningSoir
  [swahr]
• YesterdayHier
  [yehr]
• TodayAujourd'hui
  [oh-zhoor-dwee]
• TomorrowDemain
  [duh-mahn]
• 1Un
  [uh]
• 2Deux
  [duh]
• 3Trois
  [twah]
• 4Quatre
  [kah-truh]
• 5Cinq
  [sank]
• 6Six
  [sees]
• 7Sept
  [sept]
• 8Huit
  [weet]
• 9Neuf
  [nuhf]
• 10Dix
  [dees]

• Where's a/the...?Où est...?
  [oo eh]
• What's the address?Quelle est l'adresse?
  [kell eh la-dress]
• Can you show me (on the map)?Pouvez-vous me montrer (sur la carte)?
  [poo-vay voo muh mohn-tray (surr lah kahrt)]
• When's the next (bus)?Quand est le prochain (bus)?
  [kahn eh luh proh-shahn (buhs)]
• A ticket (to ....)Un billet (pour ...)
  [uhn bee-yay (poor ...)]

Marseille, originally known as Massalia, was founded around 600 BCE by Greek settlers from Phocaea. It quickly became one of the most important trading posts in the Mediterranean, connecting the Greek world with the Celtic tribes of inland Europe.

In 49 BCE, Marseille was captured by the Romans during the civil war between Julius Caesar and Pompey. Under Roman rule, the city flourished, becoming an important center for maritime trade and a hub for the spread of Roman culture and infrastructure.

During the medieval period, Marseille became a key port for the Crusades, with many knights and pilgrims departing from its harbor to the Holy Land. The city also developed a strong maritime and commercial tradition, which laid the foundation for its future growth.

One of the most significant events in Marseille's history was the Great Plague of 1720. The outbreak, which arrived via a ship from the Levant, decimated the population, killing around 100,000 people. The city recovered slowly, but this tragic event left a lasting mark on its history.

Marseille played a notable role during the French Revolution. The city's militia, the 'Marseillais,' marched to Paris in 1792, singing what would become La Marseillaise, the French national anthem. During the Napoleonic era, Marseille continued to grow as a major industrial and commercial port.

The 19th century saw Marseille transforming into an industrial powerhouse. The construction of the Suez Canal in 1869 further boosted its importance as a global port. Industries such as soap manufacturing, shipbuilding, and chemical production flourished, attracting a diverse population.

During World War II, Marseille was occupied by German forces and suffered significant damage. The Old Port area was heavily bombed and subsequently rebuilt. The city was liberated in August 1944 by Allied forces, marking the end of a dark chapter in its history.

In recent decades, Marseille has undergone significant urban renewal and cultural renaissance. The opening of the MUCEM (Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations) in 2013 and the city's designation as the European Capital of Culture in the same year have revitalized its cultural scene and cemented its status as a vibrant, multicultural metropolis.

Marseille is well-connected by air, rail, and road. Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) is the main international airport, located about 27 kilometers northwest of the city center. It offers numerous flights to and from major cities in Europe and beyond. The city's main railway station, Gare de Marseille-Saint-Charles, offers high-speed TGV services to cities like Paris, Lyon, and Nice. For those traveling by car, Marseille is accessible via the A7 from the north and the A50 from the east.

Getting around Marseille is convenient with its efficient public transportation network, including buses, trams, and the metro, all operated by RTM (Régie des Transports Métropolitains). The metro has two lines (M1 and M2), and the tram network has three lines (T1, T2, T3). Tickets are interchangeable across all forms of public transport. Taxis and ride-hailing services like Uber are also available. For a more scenic route, consider taking the ferry boat across the Old Port.

The official currency in France is the Euro (EUR). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in most restaurants, shops, and hotels. ATMs are plentiful throughout the city, and contactless payment methods are increasingly popular. It's advisable to carry some cash for smaller establishments, markets, or when traveling to more remote areas.

Marseille is generally a safe city, but like any major urban area, it has its share of crime. Exercise caution in neighborhoods known for higher crime rates, such as the northern districts (3rd, 14th, 15th, and 16th arrondissements). Pickpocketing can be an issue in crowded areas like the Old Port and public transportation. Avoid walking alone late at night in poorly lit areas and always stay aware of your surroundings.

In case of emergency, dial 112 for all types of emergencies, including police, fire, and medical services. Local police stations and hospitals like Hôpital de la Timone and Hôpital Nord are available for assistance. It's advisable to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. Pharmacies are abundant and can provide over-the-counter medications for minor health issues.

Fashion: Do dress stylishly, as Marseillais take pride in their appearance. Avoid overly casual attire when dining out or visiting upscale venues. Religion: Do respect religious sites by dressing modestly and keeping noise to a minimum. Public Transport: Do validate your ticket before boarding and offer your seat to elderly passengers. Don't eat or drink on public transport. Greetings: Do greet people with a friendly 'Bonjour' and a handshake. Eating & Drinking: Do try local dishes like bouillabaisse and Pastis. Don't rush through meals; dining is a leisurely affair in Marseille.

To experience Marseille like a local, visit the Noailles market for fresh produce and local specialties. Explore the Panier district, the city's oldest neighborhood, for a taste of authentic Marseille life. Engage with locals in small cafés and bistros, and consider learning a few basic French phrases to enhance your interactions. For a unique experience, take a boat trip to the Calanques National Park for stunning coastal scenery and hiking opportunities.