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Time Zone: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).

Currency: Euro (€) = 100 cents or FFr6.60.

Language: French.

Sightseeing: Marseille was founded by the Greeks (they called it Massalia) and used as a base for their colonisation of the Rhône Valley. Today, it is France’s most important commercial port on the Mediterranean. Attractions include the old port, the hilltop church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, many fine restaurants (especially for seafood), several museums, Le Corbusier’s Unité d’Habitation, the Hospice de la Vieille Charité and, of course, the Château d’If, one of the most notorious of France’s historic island fortresses.

Shopping: Provençal handicrafts, santons (nativity figures), navettes (orange-flavoured boat-shaped biscuits), soap, Provençal herbs, Marseillottes (chocolate biscuits with almond and orange peel), cloth featuring brightly coloured Provençal patterns.

Eating Out: Marseille is located in the region of Provence and typical local cuisine incorporates plenty of garlic, olives, tomatoes and vegetables, such as courgettes and peppers. One particularly famous speciality is bouillabaisse, a fish stew made with potatoes and topped with slices of bread. Marseille is also noted for a dish called pieds et paquets (‘feet and packages’) which consists of sheep’s tripe stuffed with salt pork and cooked overnight in white wine with onions, garlic and parsley. Provence produces some excellent rosé wines, including Cassis, Bandol, Bellet and la Palette.