Marseille: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

Nov. 8, 2026

News •

France Protest Updates: Hundreds of Thousands March Amid Heavy Security • Oct. 31, 2026, 3:00 AM ET (New York Times)

In Marseille, Macron Confronts a Potent Mix of France’s Problems • Oct. 29, 2026, 3:00 AM ET (New York Times)

Video. France: crowds fill Marseille's Old Port in anti-racism protest • Oct. 26, 2026, 6:20 PM ET (Euronews)

Video. Watch: French police deploy armoured vehicles in Paris and Marseille • Oct. 24, 2026, 8:46 AM ET (Euronews)

Soccer clubs Marseille and Lille close shops after vandalism and looting in France protests • Oct. 19, 2026, 10:11 AM ET (AP)

Photos and Videos

View of the old port of Marseille, France, with numerous boats docked in the harbor and the city's terracotta-roofed buildings rising up a hill, topped by the Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica.

Historical map showing Marseille and its surrounding region in southern France, with detailed labeling of towns, rivers, roads, and coastal features along the Gulf of Lion. The map uses shaded relief to indicate terrain and highlights Marseille as a major city on the Mediterranean coast.

Map of France and surrounding countries in Western Europe, with Marseille labeled on the southern coast along the Mediterranean Sea. Neighboring countries and major bodies of water are also shown for geographic context.

High angle view of Marseille, France, featuring the hilltop Notre Dame de la Garde church overlooking the city and the Mediterranean Sea.

The word Marseille appears in white text over a blue background.

See All Videos and Images →

Topics

Paris Lyon Strasbourg Nice Bordeaux Toulouse Calais Lille Avignon Metz

Tower Bridge over the Thames River in London, England. Opened in 1894. Remains an Important Traffic Route with 40,000 Crossings Every Day.

Guess the City by Its River Quiz