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"Marseilles" redirects here. There is also Marseilles, Illinois. "Massilia" redirects here. There is also a ship with this name; see The Vichy 80. Marseille, (English alt. Marseilles — French: pronounced or locally — Provençal Occitan: Marselha in classical norm or Marsiho in Mistralian norm — Latin: Massilia) is the second largest city in France and the third metropolitan area, with 1,516,340 inhabitants at the 1999 census. Located in the former province of Provence and on the Mediterranean Sea, it is France's largest commercial port. It is considered the Provençale capital, one of the Occitan capitals of Occitania and France. Marseille is the capital of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur région, as well as the préfecture (capital) of the Bouches-du-Rhône département. History Marseille was founded in 600 B.C. by Greeks from Phocaea as a trading port under the name Μασσαλία (Massalia; see also List of traditional Greek place names). Facing an opposing alliance of the Etruscans, Carthage and the Celts, the Greek colony allied itself with the expanding Roman Republic for protection. The association with the expanding Roman market saw the city thrive by acting as a link between the interior of Gaul, hungry for Roman goods and wine (of which Massilia was steadily exporting by 500 B.C.) , and Rome's insatiable slave markets. Under this arrangement the city maintained its independence until the rise of Julius Caesar, when it joined the losing side in civil war, and lost its independence. It was the site of a siege and naval battle. During the Roman times, it was called Massilia. It was the home port of Pytheas. Most of the archeological remnants of the original Greek settlement were replaced by later Roman additions. Marseille thrived as a Roman trading port. Evidence of its growth and wealth are reflected in the fact that Marseilles was the first town of France to have an official public sewer system. During the Roman era, the city was controlled by a directory of 15 selected “first” among 600 senators. Three of them had the preeminence and the essence of the executive power. With the decline of the Roman empire the town reverted to the hands of the Gauls, eventually following suit with much of France under the power of the Franks. Emperor Charlemagne and the Carolingian dynasty granted civic power to Marseille which remained a major French trading port until the medieval period. In 1347 the city suffered terribly at the hands of the great plague. As a major port, it is believed the settlement was one of the first and most dramatically affected French settlements by the plague. Marseille soon revived its population and trading status in the mediterranean and in 1437, the Count of Provence Rene of Anjou, who succeeded his father Louis II of Anjou, as King of Sicily and Duke of Anjou, arrived in Marseille and established it as a fortified town. He helped raise the status of the town to a city and allowed certain privileges to be granted to it. Marseille was then used by Duke of Anjou as a strategic maritime base to reconquer his kingdom of Sicily. King Rene, who wished to equip the entrance of the port with a solid defence, decided to build on the ruins of the old tower Maubert and to establish a series of ramparts guarding the harbour. Jean Pardo, engineer, conceived the plans and Jehan Robert, mason of Tarascon, carried out the work. The construction of the new city defences took place between 1447 and 1453. The trading in Marseille also flourished in this term as the Guild began to establish a position of power within the merchants of the city. Notably Rene also founded the Corporation of Fisherman. During the eigthteenth centuries the Ports defences were improved and Marseille became more important as Frances leading military port in the Mediterranean. In 1773, Jean-baptiste Grosson, royal notary wrote from 1770 to 1791 the historical Almanac of Marseilles entitled “Collection of antiquities and Marseilles monuments which can interest the history and arts”. The book documented the buildings and history of Marseille for the first time in any serious detail. During the nineteenth century the city prospered with industrial innovations and manufacturing growth. The rise of the French Empire and the conquests of France since 1830, stimulated the maritime trade and the prosperity of the city. This can be still seen today in both the old port and the train station, where massive monuments record the conquest of North Africa and Indochina by the French, culminating in a massive arch. During the twentieth century Marseilles celebrated its trading status and 'port of the empire status' through the colonial exposures of 1906 and 1922. In 1934 Alexander I of Yugoslavia arrived at the port to meet with the French foreign minister Louis Barthou. He was assassinated there by Vlada Georgieff. The city served as an entrance port for millions of immigrants in France, hundreds of thousands of which came in 1962 from Algeria. Many stayed and have given the city a vibrant African quarter. Modern During the oil crisis of 1973 and an economic downturn, Marseille became a haven for crime and high levels of poverty. In recent decades, through plans from the AT in Paris and funds from the EU, the city has begun to developed a high-tech and tourist based economy. In terms of recent social history, Marseille has served as the home of the new right and the National Front. Because of high levels of unemployment and a large immigration population, Marseille is home to a large population of Front Nationale supporters. Politically, from 1950 to the mid 1980s, Marseille was dominated by its long term, six times re-elected mayor Gaston Defferre. The three most recent mayors are listed below: Climate Mean annual temperature: 15 °C Average temperature in January: 7 °C Average temperature in July: 23 °C Average annual precipitation: 550 mm Economy Marseille is France's largest port and a major French centre for trade and industry, with an excellent transportation infrastructure (roads, sea port and airport). The airport, Marseille-Provence, serves as the leading French airport outside Paris. It is the main arrival base for millions of tourists each year as well as serving a growing business community. The area around the airport and near the borders of Aix-en-Provence and northern Marseille now boast a successful business and science park. The economy is closely associated with the Marseille Provence Metropolis, France's second largest research centre with 3000 research scientists. Marseille Metropole Provence is home to thousands of companies, 90% of which are small businesses. Among the most famous ones we find CMA-CGM, container-shipping giant; Comex, world leader in sub-sea engineering and hydraulic systems; Eurocopter Group, an EADS company; Azur Promotel, an active real estate development company; La Provence, the local daily newspaper; L'Olympique de Marseille, the local world-reknown mythic soccer club; RTM, Marseille's public transport company; and Société Nationale Maritime Corse Méditerranée (SNCM), a major operator in passenger, vehicle and feright transportation in the Western Mediterranean. As stated, the economy of Marseille is dominated by the port, which functions as commercial container port as well as a transport port for the Mediterranean sea. The most important port on the Mediterranean, it handles millions of tons of freight annually. Major imports include petroleum, wine, fruits, olive oil, hides and skins, and tropical agricultural products. Major exports are dominated by wines, liqueurs, processed foods, cement, and metal products. Petroleum refining and shipbuilding are the principal industries, but chemicals, soap, glass, sugar, building materials, plastics, textiles, olive oil, and processed foods are also important products. Marseille is connected with the Rhone via a canaland thus has access to the extensive waterway network of France. Petroleum is shipped northward to the Paris basin by pipeline. Historically the economy of Marseille was dominated by its role as a port of the French Empire, linking the North African colonies of Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia with the French mainland. The majority of the old port and docks, which experienced decline in the 1970s after the oil crisis have been recently redeveloped with funs from the European Union. The old port now contains restaurants, offices, bars and hotels. Fishing however still remains important in Marseille and the food economy of Marseille is dominated by the local catch. In recent years the city has experienced a large growth in service sector employment and a switch from light manufacturing to a cultural economy. Marseille acts as a regional nexus for entertainment in the south of France and has a high concentration of museums, cinemas, theatres, clubs, bars, restaurants, fashion shops, hotels and art galleries, all geared towards a tourist economy. Unemployment in the economy has fallen to 13 percent in 2005 from 20 percent in 1995. In May, the French financial magazine L'Expansion named Marseille the most dynamic of France's large cities, citing figures showing that 7,200 companies had been created in the city since 2000. However Marseille remains a city with high unemployment against the European average and suffers a lack of jobs for its large immigrant population. Whilst much of the Marseille economy has been revitalised since its decay in the 1970s it still remains significantly stagnant in regards to growth compared with Paris and the old industrial regions of north-eastern France. Administration Marseille is divided into 16 municipal arrondissements, which are themselves divided into quartiers (111 in total). The arrondissements are regrouped, in pairs, into 8 sectors, with each sectors having a council and a town hall (like the arrondissements in Paris and in Lyon). The municipal elections are carried out by sector. Each sector elects its councillors (303 in total), one third of which are municipal councillors. Number of councilors elected by sector: The last mayors of Marseille
Demographics The population growth of Marseille followed the national average until the mid twenty first century. From the years 1200 to 1800 the population remained below 100,000 inhabitants. From 1800 to 1930 the population grew to over 500,000 inhabitants. The majority of population growth was from natural birth though a significant amount of Portuguese and Spanish immigrants arrived. By the mid 1950's Marseille, as Frances largest sea port, the city experienced a massive demographic growth as a result of the thousands of immigrants arriving. Many immigrants came from North Africa and the former colonies especially Algeria. The population of central Marseille grew to just under one million by the 1980s. In the last three decades the population of Marseille has experienced a loss, as more and more inhabitants move elsewhere for work, or to the suburbs to avoid the inner city. Many Marsellais are descendants of the waves of immigrants that arrived at the port in the early 19th century. For example, many Marseillais are of Armenian, Spanish, Italian, Greek, Russian or North African descent. Unofficial statistics says that approximately a quarter of Marseille’s population is of North African origin, mostly Algerian or Kabyle, and Tunisian. The Jewish community is also said to be the third largest in Europe (France has the largest Jewish community in Europe and the third largest in the world). Sister Cities Culture Marseille is a city that is proud of its difference from greater France. In the lead-up the french revolution a group of Marseille-ians embarked from the south of France to support the conflict and dismantling of the Bastille. The French national anthem "La Marseillaise" was so-named because it was first known as sung on the streets as a rallying call of the French Revolution by troops from Marseille. The most widely circulated tarot deck comes from Marseille; it is called the Tarot de Marseille, and was used to play the local variant of tarocchi before it became used in cartomancy. In regards to literature, Marseille has been the birth place and home of many French writers. In modern times, one can quote Victor Gélu, Valère Bernard, Pierre Bertas, Edmond Rostand, André Roussin as leading examples. The artist Cezanne spent much time in Marseille and painted several works of art there. Marseille's main cultural attraction was, since its creation at the end of the 18th century and until the late 1970's, the Opéra. Located near the Old Port and the Canebière, at the very heart of the city, its architectural style is comparable to the classical trend found on other operas built at that time in Lyon and Bordeaux. In 1920, a devastating fire almost completely destroyed the building, leaving only the facade's colonade which can still be admired today. The reconstruction led to a major competition with a main focus on the art deco style. For example, Bourdelle worked on the fresques which frame the drop cloth. The Opera's artistic value led the municipality to classify the building as a historical monument. The future of Marseille's Opera stands on attracting younger groups, rejuvenating the monument's aging image, and achieving the recognition of the sought-after title of 'National Opera'. Marseille is candidate for becoming 'the European city of culture' and as such, it can not override the importance of its Opera. Music Movies set in Marseille Marseille has been the setting for films, both Hollywood and local French films. Sights Marseilles is classified as a significant centre of art and history. The city boasts many excellent museums and galleries. Of historical interest are many ancient buildings and churches. Transport Marseille is served by the metro train system consisting of 2 lines represented by orange and blue. Line 1 (blue) between Catellane and La Rose opened in 1977 and Line 2 (orange) between Sainte-Marguerite/Dromel and Bougainville opened between 1984 and 1987. An extension to Line 1 from Castellane to La Timone was completed in 1992 and a further extension from La Timone up to La Fourragère is under construction. An extensive bus network serves the city and suburbs of Marseille. The city is served by an international airport, Aéroport de Marseille Provence, located in Marignane as well as a centenary railway station, Saint-Charles. TGVs also are in Saint-Charles station. Sport The city boasts a wide variety of sports facilities and caters to almost every interest. The dominant force in the sporting world of the city is the city's football club - Olympique de Marseille, UEFA Champions League winner in 1993. The club is reasonably successful but has was tainted recently in the 1990s match fixing scandal by then-owner Bernard Tapie. The clubs home - the stade Velodrome, also functions for other local sports including cycling and athletics. Sailing is a major sport in Marseille. The winds can blow from different directions and allow interesting regattas in the warm waters of the Mediterranean. Most of the time it can be windy while the sea remains smooth enough to allow sailing. It has been considered as a possible site for 2008 Americas cup. Marseille is also a place for other water sports such as windsurfing, sailing and powerboating. Marseille has three golf courses to its north and north east. The city also boasts dozens of gyms and several council owned swimming pools. Running is also popular in many of Marseilles parks such as Le Pharo and Le Jardin Pierre Perget. Births and deaths in Marseille Marseille was the birthplace of: The following personalities died in Marseille: Gallery Image:Marseille1.jpg|Tram for Marseille in Vienna (Austria) precommissioning checksam at (Wiener Linien) Image:marseille.arp.750pix.jpg|A view onto the Old Port Image:Marseille Fort Saint Nicolas.jpg|The Fort Saint Nicolas, overlooking the harbour on the left bank Image:Unite d'Habitation (Rightee 2).jpg|Le Corbusier's Unite d'Habitation Image:Madonna and Child Marseille.jpg|thumb|none|250px|Madonna and Child statue on the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde. Image:Musée des Beaux Arts Marseille.jpg|Musée des Beaux Arts, Marseille. Image:Église des Réformés.jpg|The Église des Réformés church Image:Jeanne d'arc Marseille.jpg|Joan of Arc statue in Marseille. See also Footnotes | |||||||||
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