Marseille Travel Guide

In over 2,600 years, Marseille has influenced and transformed the culinary traditions of the Mediterranean basin. Oriental influences, which came to Marseille as a result of successive invasions throughout its history, have created a melting pot of culinary styles. Many dishes make up the cosmopolitan mosaic of Marseille cuisine including couscous, spices, pesto soup (flavored with basil which was originally imported to Genoa from India), pasta, polenta, casserole with wine (for which a long preparation time is required) and of course the ubiquitous Bouillabaisse.

Allow yourself to be guided by both your curiosity and your instincts and head towards the quays of the Vieux-Port (Le), where restaurants abound. Some of the best Bouillabaisse (this was originally a soup made by poor fishermen, but was later to find its way into the soup bowls of royalty) can be found at Le Miramar—one of the restaurants which adheres to the 'Bouillabaisse Charter'. Locals flock to Mets de Provence (Les) on the Quai des Belges. From here, you can watch the boats as they leave, and see their sails go up as they pass the Fort Saint-Jean at the entrance to the port.

Not far from La Vieille Charité, in the Quartier du Panier district, Panier des Arts (Le) offers simple, yet tasty food. At the famous Chez Etienne pizzeria, you will be welcomed like an old friend. On the opposite bank, the symbolic Les Arcenaulx and Côte de Boeuf (La) are two typical Marseille restaurants. The nearby Rue Sainte is home to a Marseille gastronomic institution: Patalain.

The coastal road is bathed in good seafood and romantic light as the waves murmur and lap at your feet. There is a restaurant hidden away in the Malmousque cove. There is also the Châteaux de Marseille, Le Petit Nice and the Chez Michel (on the Plage des Catalans beach), which attracts seafood lovers from all over Marseille. Further out, in the Goudes district (on the eastern edge of the city), where the deep blue of the sea meets the brilliant white of the rocks, is Chez Aldo.

Back towards the center of the city, you will find the small fishing port of Vallon des Auffes. Here, you will get an insight into the region's culinary diversity. You can try seafood at L'Epuisette and Chez Fonfon or pizzas and mixed grills at Chez Jeannot.

In the city center, Canebière (La) (a thoroughfare which divides the city in two), will lead you to the Cours Julien (Le) with its innumerable restaurants, all offering fine, Southern cuisine. These include: Sud du Haut (Le), La Garbure and also Dar Djerba.

The lively shopping streets of Marseille are home to a number of hidden gastronomic treasures. Spend some time in the city's dining scene and you will find that the citizens of Marseille are proud of their city, and happy to share its wonders with you.2008-08-02T07:29:22.000 19