Founded over 2,600 years ago, Marseilles is France's oldest, and 2nd largest city, and the country's most important seaport, located on the Gulf of Lion, west of the French Riveria.  It has prospered chiefly as a trading port through the ages.  It combines the treasures of a unique heritage, a rich cultural life and a magnificent natural location.

The vast majority of the Marseillaise are descendants of the waves of immigrants that arrived at the port in the early 19th century.  Among the ethnic groups of Marseillaise are Americans, Spaniards, Italians, Greeks, Arabs, Jews, Russians and North Africans.

Marseilles is a major industrial city, producing flour, vegetable oil, soap, cement, sugar, sulphur, chemicals,  and processed foods.  The city opened a subway system in 1977, and is connected to most European cities by rail, road, air or boat.

For more information on Marseilles, please visit their website.