Allow me to introduce Marseille to you and better understand this "rebellious" city as described most often. We have to go back a little in history. And yes, Marseille has the art of cultivating its identity and claiming to be different.
It seems that it likes to stand up to kings. The first to suffer the rebellion of Massilia was Henri IV; the city refused to recognise his legitimacy because of its Protestant origins. Then Louis XIV had to go down to Marseille to assert his royal authority, which was firmly rejected by the Phocaean city. The city formed a battalion of federates who went to Paris to defend the Revolution during the French Revolution. The town was then punished and renamed "the town with no name". Their marching song, written by Rouget de l'Isle, would later become the national anthem of France.
In a few key historical points, we can quickly guess that the blood of the rebellion runs in the veins of Marseille. And although some people may find it difficult to adjust to this mentality, it seems that it attracts more and more French and foreigners who find it charming and even a form of peaceful living.
The sweetness of Provence
It is not only rebellion that defines this city, but gentleness is also undoubtedly one of its main characteristics. Setting course for Marseille means adopting an art of living where the poetry varies according to the season. In summer, the city is lulled by the song of the cicadas. Scents of lavender are everywhere, and people are bewitched by the herbs of Provence and the taste of olive oil that seduce our taste buds. All this seems to remind us of some of the basics of life. In winter, we still have mild temperatures that allow for beautiful walks in the city.
The Mediterranean, gateway to Africa
And this gentleness is also due to a cultural mix. A cosmopolitan city, Marseille seems to be becoming the new hub between Africa and Europe.
Marseille has always wanted to assert itself as a city open to diversity, sensitive to immigration. First, it was the Greeks and then the Italians who came to town. Then the largest Armenian community settled in, as well as the pieds-noirs after decolonisation. Today, this human cocktail is enriched by the presence of Oriental and African culture.
We can thus witness many comings and goings that make the city's strength and the essential value of the Phocaean city.
Football, a religion
If you have to go to Marseille, you must know that Marseille is the capital of football and be careful, we are not laughing with that, the Parisians are paid to know it. Football is an institution, a love story, a priesthood between Marseille's people and their team l'OM created in 1899. The Olympique de Marseille will definitively mark the hearts of the Marseillais in 1993 in Munich when it wins the Champions League, thanks to Basile Boli's goal.
Marseille is a city that will not leave you indifferent. It will flirt with you, seduce you, sometimes drive you crazy, but it will always make your heart beat like a beautiful love story.
“Paris is over darling, the new place to be is Marseille baby”. It is undoubtedly not the Parisian who will contradict me since, for several years, we had already begun to see Parisian settling in the Phocean City. Since the first confinement, it seems that Marseille is witnessing an actual invasion from Paris (Paname for the close friends). And oui, we are not so bad in Marseilles. My dear Marseillaise words and I am not the only one to think so. Even Matt Damon, who came to shoot his last movie “Stillwater” in this city with the French actress Camille Cottin fell under the charms of Massilia.