The beautiful city of Marseille is without controversy the oldest settlement and civilization in France. Established in 600 BC by the Greeks, the city has since grown to become the second largest in the country (after Paris). The city boasts of a very rich culture, featuring multi ethnicity among a host of other practices and everyday activities that make the city a truly unique experience. 

If you were ever to visit Marseille, we would want you to have a sneak peep at the culture and life in the city.

To give you a total view of Marseilles culture and traditions, we will check out six areas of the culture and tradition in Marseille.

Ethnicity

If you went to other parts of France and asked where the people are from, the subjects of your experiment would say France. But in Marseille, it’s a whole different ball game. You would ask the same question and the answer would be Marseille. What makes this even funnier is that these people are from all over the world. From Africans, to Arabs, and fellow Europeans. This multiplicity in ethnicity is one of the things that makes Marseille unique among all the other cities in France.

The different ethnicities in Marseille live together as would only a few multi ethnic communities in the world today. You can only tell the difference between varying cultures and peoples by the shades of their skins. However everyone in Marseille live together like one big family.

Language

In spite of the varying individuals clustered together in Marseille, only one language is ardently spoken – French. So whether you apprehend an African, a European, or an Arabian, the language is French.

Religion

Life in Marseille is a very religious one. This is also another reason for cultural diversity in the city. Most ethnic groups come in with their own religions. You would find mainly Christians, Muslims, and Jews, in all parts of the city. This is unlike other parts of France where there seems to be ethnic and religious segregation within states.

Another spectacular feature about the multi ethnicity and religiosity of Marseille is the blissful coexistence of all these different tribes and groups. They has never been any ethnic or religious riot in the city. This is unlike any other city in France. The different groups have learnt to live with one another in peace and harmony. Interested in seeing this for yourself? Then visit Marseille soon.

Cultural habits

Be ready for a variety when you get to Marseille. You must be well informed beforehand, as this may be take you completely unawares. Keep in mind that you have different ethnic groups and religions in this city who co-exist in the same space.   The way of life will vary in one way or the other. It’s best to be observant and blend in with whatever one of these societies you find yourself.

Food

Talk about food and eating in Marseille and you are in for a swing of a life time. We will give you a list of native meals you should definitely try out in Marseille.

  First and foremost, just take this bit of good advice. If you are ever in Marseille and you’re a fish lover, find the Bouillabaisse and eat of it. You will thank me later. It is the distinguished traditional fish stew which is native to Marseille. You would want to be careful though, you want to have a taste of real Bouillabaisse. It is also quiet expensive but worth it.

Bouillabaisse is the old port. There is a fish market there where you will surely get the much required supplement.

Also you would not love to live Marseille without trying their pizza. If you asked most of the locals what they were likely to eat, the answer would be pizza.

For space and time sake, here are a listing of other meals you could try in Marseille:  Moules Mariniere, Marseille Aioli, Tapenade, pannise,  pissaladiere et all. You would also want to try out the local craft beer and wines as well.

Daily living

Daily life in the city of Marseille is unique. It really is unlike most places you have been to. If you step out, you would notice two basic sets of people: some who are serious and working, and some others who just seem to be lazing about, doing nothing. Well the later set are tourists who have come from all around the world to behold the beauties and wonders of Marseille.

The later are citizens going about their normal everyday life. Those are the people we really want to talk about. These people range from people with white collar jobs to locals.

These locals would work in different places, selling fish, ferrying and the likes. If you are observant, you may notice that when everybody sits down to have lunch, it seems the city is at rest as, kids can leave school to get their lunch. Offices on the other hand give a break for lunch.

What you must always have in mind about Marseille is this: It is a home of multi ethnicity and diversity. It would be really nice an experience of the beautiful city of Marseille all the time.