Introducing Marseille

France’s largest port, Marseille has always opened its arms to the Mediterranean Sea. Like most second and third cities, Marseille is a workhorse, renowned for its pulsating ambience and city grit rather than its aesthetic charms.
Known as the ‘Phocaean City,’ Marseille was founded in 600 B.C. by Greek sailors coming from Phocaea, Asia Minor. One of the oldest cities in Europe and the French Empire’s major trading post, Marseille’s ancient heritage, cultural pride, and distinctive traditions are there for discovery—if you can get past the graffiti and the 1960s architectural eye soars that blot the landscape.
The city’s main street is the wide boulevard of Canebière, a concrete jungle which stretches eastward from the gloriously shabby Vieux Port (Old Port) to the Réformés quarter. The imposing citadels of Fort Saint-Nicolas on the port’s south side and Fort Saint-Jean on the north side guard the bay. As the gateway to Provence, Marseille’s location takes your breathe away. The city’s fabled corniches (coastal roads) snake a rugged coastline broken by tranquil coves and idyllic bays. Within a few minutes of the city, urban sprawl gives way to quaint fishing villages like picture perfect Cassis. Out in the Bay of Marseille, the four islands of the Frioul archipelago were made famous as the mythical location of Château d’If, the castle which featured in Dumas’ novel, The Count of Monte Cristo.

Airports within a 50-mile radius of Marseille:

  • Marseille-Provence International Airport (MRS)
    • Aix Les Milles Airport (QXB)
    • Le Castellet Airport (CTT)

Popular aircraft charters* in the Marseilles area include:

  • Citation Excel (super light)
  • Learjet 45 XR (super light)
  • Citation CJ3 (light)
  • Learjet 31ER 400A (light)
  • Learjet 60 XR (midsize)
  • Citation III (midsize)
  • Gulfstream G200 (super midsize)
  • Citation Sovereign (super midsize)

*This is just a sample. Zephyr provides access to aircraft at every end of the spectrum, from luxurious VIP airliners, to ultra long range business jet, helicopters, and economical turboprops.