In Marseille, history means everything. The city is the oldest in France, and the area has been settled since the Paleolithic Age. Cave paintings that date back to between 27,000 and 19,000 B.C. can be seen at Cosquer Cave. Neolithic brick dwellings have also been discovered near the train station, and date back to about 6,000 B.C.

Ancient History

Marseille's official history begins at about 600 B.C., when the ancient Greeks founded a city they called Massalia. The city was governed by the Greeks but remained largely independent. In 154 B.C. the city requested the support of the rising Roman Empire and continued to maintain its independence under Roman rule. However, in 49 B.C. the city lost its independence after going against Rome. The city was renamed Massilia and continued to flourish under Roman occupation. During this time, Christianity began to appear in Marseille. It is rumored that Mary Magdalene herself converted the city before retiring to the cave La Sainte-Baume, located above the city. By A.D. 100 the diocese of Marseille had formed. Then in A.D. 473 the city fell to the Visigoths, only to be taken by the Frankish kings soon afterward around A.D. 550.

Middle Ages

Marseille's history remained largely calm until 1262, when the city attempted to throw off Angevin rule. Unfortunately they lost the battle to Charles I, and the city's luck only worsened. Between 1348 and 1361, Marseille's population dropped by 60 percent when bubonic plague killed 15,000 people. The city was then sacked by the Aragonese in 1432. However, in 1437, Rene of Anjou arrived and chose to use Marseille as a base. The Tower of Rene I was constructed and the city's fortifications were strengthened. In 1481 the city became united with the surrounding area of Provence, and by 1482, Marseille became an official part of France. Between 1524 and 1531, the famous Chateau d'If was constructed, but shortly thereafter the Holy Roman Empire was established. The occupation was short lived, though, as by 1536 the Franco-Ottoman alliance ousted them from Marseille.

17th Century to Present

In 1720, Marseille's history again took a turn for the worse. The Black Death struck, becoming known as the great plague of Marseille as it wiped out over 100,000 people. But the city soon recovered and continued on its prosperous path. By 1792, they were even able to send troops to support the French Revolution in Paris, and it is from this event that the national anthem of France came into being. Marseille's industrial sector quickly began to develop through the 19th and 20th centuries, but the city sustained heavy damage during WWII. However, its location as a major port city allowed for a quick recovery once more, and to this day Marseille remains a popular destination on the Mediterranean.