Marseille is a large city in the middle of France’s south Mediterranean coast. Marseille is a leading cultural, economic and shipping hub. Marseille is packed with tourist draws and is also a gastronomic, nightlife and shopping destination. Due to its central location using car hire at Marseille – National is a comfortable choice for reaching other local destinations.

Boulevard National passes Gare St Charles, Marseille’s mainline train station. Marseille’s historic Vieux-Port is one kilometre from the boulevard’s south junction with La Canebiere. This district contains a good selection of hotels, bars and eateries and is close to car rental at Marseille – National stations.

Centre Bourse shopping centre and the precinct around Rue St Ferreol are Marseille’s main shopping areas. Boulevard National is close to these and also to Longchamp Palace, the Museum d’Histoire Naturelle and St Victor’s Abbey. The Corniche goes south to Plage du Prado (beach) and the famed Sugiton Calanques. Car hire at Marseille – National offers an easy way down the coast.

Walking paths lead from the coast road to the magnificent rocky inlets (calanques). The sheltered bay at Cassis is 15kms farther and is a good location for sampling delicious local fare and wines. Heading north from Marseille the A7 motorway runs to Aix-en-Provence where the A8 branches out to the Cote d’Azur.

Salt-water lakes at Camargue National Park boast eclectic fauna and flora. Flocks of greater flamingos are often seen wading in the lakes. Well-preserved mediaeval walls and turrets ring Aigues-Mortes, west of Camargue. Internet web sites or travel agents offer cheap car hire at Marseille – National.