Frequent negative press reports and public misconceptions formulated from afar, have contributed to Marseille's negative image. Yet, Marseille is an extraordinary place to visit. Its spectacular white cliffs that rise above the turquoise sea are unique in southern Europe. The small fishing port of Vallon des Auffes remains untouched by modern property developers yet is part of the city-centre. Age-old neighbourhoods, whose shops and market stalls are reminiscent of the streets of a Greek village or Arab souk, entice passersby. Not far away, boutiques sell the finest fashions and other luxury goods. Historic cathedrals, prized art collections and a dizzying variety of museums provide an endless fix for even the most demanding culture junkie. Countless eating possibilities exist, ranging from numerous pizza parlours to restaurants offering the best bouillabaisse and the freshest seafood that France has to offer.

So Marseille provides a variety of sightseeing possibilities whether your interest is the great outdoors, cultural cuisine or shopping. What doesn't it offer? It is not for those seeking out a quaint little corner of Provence, like something out of an old French film. These spots exist in the Vaucluse and Bouches-du-Rhône. Neither is it an upscale place with beautiful, harmonious architecture in the city-centre like Bordeaux or Paris. Years of neglect and the lack of a cohesive urban development policy have denied it that. Marseille has grown in fits and starts. Building projects seem to have been erected willy-nilly and events (including battles of the Second World War) have left their mark. Marseille features isolated sites and individual buildings of architectural importance sometimes located in undistinguished areas.

Indeed, Marseille is more accurately termed picturesque than beautiful. Apart from the extraordinary calanques (creek), which extends eastward from Marseille all the way to the port of Cassis, the city offers a couple of vantage points from which to enjoy amazing panoramic views. From the Notre Dame de la Garde Cathedral, visitors get a 360°view of Marseille -- it is best at sunset, when the multi-coloured sky reflects on the sea and illuminates the Château d'If.

In recent years, an urban revitalization policy has restored some order to the chaotic downtown. Among the first project to be realized was a tunnel beneath the Vieux Port (Old Port) and an underground public transportation network.

The Marseillais are friendly and helpful to tourists, and visitors are safer here than in most international urban centres. Simply follow the usual precautions. Visitors who take the time to discover this city agree: Marseille is different in every way -- so much so, that you might feel you're not even in France.