As the largest city on France's south coast, Marseille is the gateway to the Côte d'Azur – one of Europe's most popular tourist resorts.
As one of Europe's most important ports, Marseille is abuzz throughout the year, with tourists flocking to the city to sample some of the stunning architecture such as the Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica. The 19th-century cathedral sits at the highest point of Marseille, overlooking the city and beyond.
The stunning views continues outside of the city, which is why many visitors hire a car from Marseille to see just what this region has to offer.
A short drive from the centre of Marseille can be found the Palais Longchamp, a stunning building rising up behind a beautiful monumental fountain with cascading waterfalls, making it a must-see.
If you are hiring a car from Marseille, the beaches of Pointe Rouge, les Goudes, Prado, Callelongue and le Prophète are a short drive away, as is the Calanque de Sugiton – a rocky inlet that is popular with walkers.
Less than a two-hour drive away via the A7 is the Réserve Naturelle de Camargue, home to around 400 species of bird, while the nearby town of Avignon is famed for its annual festival of the arts.
