Marseille

Introduction & Top Questions
Physical and human geography
- The landscape
  - The city site
  - Climate
  - The city layout
- The people
- The economy
  - Industry
  - Commerce and finance
  - Transportation
- Administration and social conditions
  - Government
  - Services
  - Health
  - Education
- Cultural life
History
- The early period
  - Antiquity and the Middle Ages
  - Uneasy union with France
  - Era of expansion
- The modern city

References & Edit History Related Topics

Images & 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.

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

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.

At a Glance

Marseille summary

Quizzes

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

Related Questions

How did Marseille contribute to the French Revolution?
How did Marseille regain prosperity during the Crusades?
How did immigration from North Africa affect Marseille after Algeria gained independence in 1962?
How did invasions and epidemics contribute to Marseille’s decline after Roman times?
How did the conquest of Algeria help Marseille expand as a port?
How did the limestone hills around Marseille shape the city’s growth?
How does the mistral form in the Rhône Valley?
How far is Marseille from Paris by rail?
What ancient ruins were found during construction near Marseille’s Bourse in 1967?
What happened to the Panier district during the German occupation of Marseille?
What is the purpose of the Château-Gombert science park?
What types of cargo are handled at the ports of Lavéra and Fos?
Where did the Greek founders of Massalia come from?
Where is Marseille located in France?
Which body of water borders Marseille?
Which communities have established their own leaderships in Marseille?
Which fictional character was imprisoned at the Château d’If in Alexandre Dumas’s novel?
Which industries developed in Marseille besides soap making?
Which new technology-related industries developed within Marseille?
Which port zone handles passenger and freight traffic to Corsica and North Africa?
Which public transportation systems were introduced to improve travel within Marseille?
Which side did Marseille support during the conflict between Pompey and Julius Caesar?
Which types of goods were imported through the Marseille–Fos port complex?
Which wind affects Marseille during winter?
Who founded Marseille as Massalia around 600 BCE?
Who sacked Marseille in 1423?
Why are summers in Marseille more comfortable because of the sea breeze?
Why did Marseille retain a separate administration after joining France?
Why did Marseille support Rome during the Punic Wars?
Why did Marseille’s suburbs expand toward Marignane and Vitrolles?
Why did oil refining and petrochemical industries develop near Berre Lagoon and Fos-sur-Mer?
Why did shipbuilding become less important in Marseille?
Why did the French national anthem become known as “La Marseillaise”?
Why have social differences in Marseille often followed the line of La Canebière?
Why is Marseille’s population culturally diverse?
Why is road traffic congested in Marseille?
Why was Fort Saint-Nicolas built at the entrance to Marseille’s Old Port?
Why was Longchamp Palace built above Marseille?
Why was Marseille officially called “the city without a name” during the French Revolution?

Geography & Travel Cities & Towns Cities & Towns M-O

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External Websites

Official Tourism Site of Marseille, France

Britannica Websites

Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.

Marseille - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

Marseille

France

Also known as: Marseilles, Massalia, Massilia

Written by

Blake Ehrlich

Author of Paris on the Seine; London on the Thames.

Blake EhrlichAll

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Nov. 8, 2026 •History

Marseille, city, capital of Bouches-du-Rhône département, southern France, and also the administrative and commercial capital of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, one of France’s fastest growing régions. Located west of the French Riviera, Marseille is one of the major ports of the Mediterranean Sea. It is situated on the Mediterranean’s Gulf of Lion within a semicircle of limestone hills and lies 536 miles (863 kilometers) south-southeast of Paris by rail and 218 miles southeast of Lyon. Area city...

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