Marseille

About Marseille
Marseille is the oldest city in France and its second most populous city. It was founded around 600 BC by Greek settlers and became a thriving port. Marseille remains the biggest port in France and is the second biggest of the Mediterranean. With its good access from all routes, this cosmopolitan city has thrived by rich cultural and economic exchanges with Southern Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Asia. The influence of these places is easy to see in the architecture and in the friendly, open ways of the people.  

Marseille was named as the European Capital of Culture in 2013 and the European Capital of Sport in 2017. It will host the sailing for the Olympic Games in 2024. For more information on Marseille, see Marseille Tourisme, the city of Marseille website, and Wikipedia.

Climate
The average temperature in July is 25^oC (77^oF), with a mean maximum of 30^oC (77^oF) and a mean minimum of 20^oC (67^oF). The (often strong) Mistral wind that blows from the north east brings exceptionally clear skies all year round. Although fresh in winter, its proximity to the sea and the dominant wind mean that Marseille is usually comfortably warm in summer. This also means that there is virtually no rain in July (although we cannot guarantee this), where Marseille benefits from a mean of 372 hours of sun. Bring your sunscreen!

Getting around Marseille

Marseille has a good, cheap public transport system, RTM. This allows you to travel all over Marseille easily, especially by the underground metro, which has a station just a few minutes’ walk away from the conference (St Charles).

Metro (underground): M1 (blue line), M2 (red line), runs from 4:30 am to 00:30 am and is very frequent.

Tramway: T1 (orange line), T2 (yellow line), T3 (green line), runs 5h10 am to 01:00 am.

Buses: there is a large network of buses that run all over Marseille. The 82S runs from right outside the St Charles campus to the Pharo Catalans, going around the Vieux Port. It is every 30 mins and runs from around 6:30 am to 9:30 am.

Tickets: You can buy tickets at vending machines in the metro station, on the platforms at tram stations, on the buses, or at shops with the RTM logo (e.g. convenience stores). Link to map of ticket sale points. Each ride is valid for 90 mins and for 1 entrance into the metro.

Available tickets include:
1 ride (Carte 1 Voyage) 1.70 € (2 € if purchased on the bus)
2 rides (Carte 2 Voyages) 3.40 €
10 rides (Carte 10 Voyages) 15 €
1 ride for 4 people (Carte Group 4 Personnes) 4.90 €
24 hour pass (Pass 24h) 5.20 €
72 hour pass (Pass 72h) 10.80 €

Things to do in and around Marseille

 In Marseille

Places to eat near Saint-Charles campus:

• Coco Velten (vegetarian, vegan)
• Café l'Ecomotive (vegetarian, vegan)
• Comptoir Dugommier (typical brasserie, local food – may need to reserve in advance)
• Dakao, Starbucks (inside St Charles station)
• Carrefour City (small supermarket, opposite the main station)
• Le Fournil de Gustave (bakery)
• Les Réformés Rooftop (café, rooftop bar)

Commerces:

• Terrasses du port and opposite The Docks (shops, cafes, restaurants), Subway M2 Joliette stop / Tramway T2 Joliette stop
• Marseille center – Vieux Port (old port), Le Panier (old town), Subway M1 Vieux Port stop
• Centre Bourse Subway M1 Colbert stop / Tramway T2 Belsunce stop
• Prado shopping & cafés, Subway M2 Rond point du prado stop

Parks and beaches:

• Jardin du Pharo Subway M1 Vieux port stop, plus bus n°83 (to “Rond point du prado”) “Pharo” stop or 10-min walk
• Catalans Beach (walking distance from centre, just after Jardin du Pharo, see above)
• Palais Longchamp Subway M1 Cinq avenue Longchamp stop / Tramway T2 Cinq avenue stop
• Prado Beach longest beach in Marseille, bars, restaurants
• Parc Borély just opposite the Prado beaches
• Vallon des Auffes (small port, restaurants)
• Corniche Kennedy (long city walk along the sea)
• Frioul islands, Chateau d’If (boats from Vieux Port)
• Parc National des Calanques (subway to Rond-point du Prado, bus B1 to Luminy (stop PN Calanques) - reserve in advance (see website) if you want to reach the beach ~1h walk)

Further adventures