The oldest city in France, and one of the oldest in Europe, Marseille is also the second most populous commune in France after Paris (775 kilometres to the north) and proudly stands at the crossroads of the Mediterranean and Europe.

The administrative capital of the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region, as well as France and the Mediterranean's busiest port, Marseille was founded in 600 BC by Greek settlers from Phocaea who named it Massalia.

A rebellious, cosmopolitan city with a vibrant character, it consists of a number of districts converging on the ancient Greek harbour, now known as the Vieux Port (Old Port), which forms its heart and soul.

In recent years the city has shaken off its tarnished reputation, revitalising its economy and gradually emerging as a hotbed of fashion and art. The TGV Mediterranee rail link has enhanced this prosperity by putting the city's trendy boulevard of the Canebiere just three hours from Paris.

The basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde is another landmark of this southern French metropolis. Known locally as " la bonne mère" (the good mother), it is crowned by a high bronze statue gilded with gold leaf which overlooks the Old Port and the entire city from a height of over 200 metres.

Famed for its craggy 57 km coastline, including 24 km of deep inlets known as calanques, Marseille also enjoys an especially sunny climate. The city averages over 2,800 hours of sunshine per year and just 59 days of rain, which is due in part to the Mistral, a strong wind that sweeps down from the north for 90 days of the year.

Olympique de Marseille are one of the most successful football clubs in France, and the only French club to have won the UEFA Champions League, back in 1993. This venerable sporting institution unites people from across the city in the 60,000-seater Stade Velodrome, a cauldron of football unrivalled anywhere in France.

The city which moulded Zinedine Zidane and also Eric Cantona, current head coach of the French national beach soccer team, will host the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup on the sands of the Prado beach. Situated in the centre of Marseille, the seaside resort of the Prado is easily accessible and its 26 hectares have plenty to offer every visitor, from football fans and families to sunbathers and watersport enthusiasts.