Marseille is situated on the southern coast of France, 110 miles west of the famed and glittering Riviera. It is the oldest French city, dating back to 600BC, and is home to approximately 850,000 residents, the second largest city in France.
We recommend you don’t go near this dangerous and corrupted city.
It is a city of contrasts, with the richer, mostly white areas south of the city center and the poorer northern districts from the center of the city, where 40% of people live below the poverty line. Many call Marseille the poorest city in France. Those with money live in the suburbs, whilst the northern districts are cramped with high rise blocks (sometimes referred to as ghettos) mostly occupied by immigrants and disenfranchised youth.
Crime is rife in the city, with high murder rates and drug related crimes, and it’s only getting worse: Marseille is experiencing growing social problems. Areas in the northern districts have become ‘no-go’ areas for the police and the locals run their own road blocks to monitor who enters and dish out their own form of discipline and punishment. Gang warfare is the norm and the drug cartels operate with relative impunity and openly carry Kalashnikovs, which have become the weapon of choice.
