We are planning a trip to Provence this spring? We've heard various reports about Marseilles:it's either a dangerous, too exotic port of call, or it's a fabulous experience? Any advice would be great!

Hi C,

One person who found Marseille to be not without interest was MFK Fisher:
A Considerable Town (1978).

It's a great big city full of great big city stuff - crime, museums, landmarks, traffic, good restaurants and shopping... Visiting it or not depends on your priorities, how much time you have, and your tolerance for big city environments. We like it a lot, but YMMV.

Consider the Calanques as part of your visit to Marseille, then it will be fabulous. I have been there 3 times in last one year and will be there again in 2 weeks for pleasure so obviously I like the Marseille area.

Hey, a friend of mine just replied to me to my question in an e-mail, and it's good enough to quote, f.y.i.: "Ah, complicated Marseille - its reputation was already a bit fishy for me, and popular myth and movies like the French Connection didn’t exactly help. But more recent images paint a rather prettier picture: the restoration of some seriously stunning architecture, the welcoming smiles of the people, and the TGV from Paris: a perfect reflection of the will of the city to move into this century. Marseille is a study in contrasts. So maybe, then, it’s best to be surprised– kind of like when you eat that first steaming spoonful of savoury Bouillabaisse."