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Olympique de Marseille (also known as l'OM [lo'ɛmɘ]) is a professional French football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, they play in Ligue 1 and have spent most of their history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions eight times, and have won the Coupe de France ten times (a record) and became the first and only French club to win the UEFA Champions League in 1993.
Olympique de Marseille's home is the 60,031-person-capacity Stade Vélodrome football stadium in the south of the city, where they have played since 1937.
Marseille's traditional kit colours are white shirts and shorts with white socks. The current crest was adopted in 2004. The club's motto Droit Au But (French for "Straight to the Goal") appears under the crest and a star representing the victory in the Champions League is featured on the top. The club enjoys a large fan base, with the highest average all-time attendance in French football. Their average home gate for the 2007–08 season was 52,600, the highest in the Ligue 1.
In the 2007- 2008 Champions League, Olympique de Marseille shocked Europe, by becoming the first French team to win at Anfield when they beat 2007 runners-up Liverpool 1-0, and the team took 6 out of 6 points from their opening two games. However, they only drew one more match, and in a winner takes all final group game they lost 4-0 to Liverpool, who became the first English team to win at the Stade Vélodrome. Olympique de Marseille coming third in the Champions League Group A resultantly qualified for the UEFA Cup.
Olympique de Marseille finished the 2007-2008 season with a third place finish in Ligue 1, earning them a birth in the 3rd and final qualifying round of the Champions' League
AIRPORT TO CITY CENTRE Marseille Provence Airport (Marignane) is 25km from Marseille.
There are shuttle buses to Marseille St Charles railway station (journey time 20 to 30 minutes) and to Aix en Provence bus station (journey time 30 to 40 minutes).
Taxis are available 24 hours a day and can be ordered in advance or from outside the arrivals area.
MARSEILLE AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT
The RTM (Régie des Transports de Marseille) is the public transport service for Marseille. It is made up of both buses and subways, with a new tramway currently under construction.
The Marseille fare system is called Reseau Liberté. Tickets are valid for metro, tram and buses with free transfer within a one hour period.
Tickets available are: Solo (single ticket), Carte Journee (day pass), Carte Liberte (cash card) and L'Hebdo (12 trips in one week).
Metro: There are two metro lines that both stop at the main train station and run north and south in the downtown area.
Ligne 1 (10.4km): between Saint Just and Malpasse the line runs in the middle of a highway, after a short tunnel it continues on a viaduct to the terminus at La Rose. Takes about 19 minutes. Ligne 2 (8.9km): This line ends on a viaduct on both sides Bourgainville and Ste Margarite - Dromel, the rest is underground. Takes 16 minutes. Trains run from 5:00 until 21:30 every day. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, trains run until 0:30. There are trains every 5 minutes and every 3 to 4 minutes during rush hour.
There are two transfer stations: Castellane and St Charles (Central rail station). Information panels are clear and easy to read. On the trains stations are not announced, neither acoustically nor on a panel. There is an arrow showing which side to get off, but usually it's not illuminated before the train gets into the station
Tram: Tram 68 formerly shown on metro maps was closed in December 2003 to be integrated in the future tramline 1 to La Blancarde and les Caillols. This will be part of a network with 3 tramlines, all meeting around Noailles. Line 2 will run from Bougainville to Castellane and Line 3 from Place 4 Septembre to La Blancarde. The first sections of this 3-line tramway should be completed in 2007.
City Centre to Stade de Veledrome Bus: Take Line 83 to Rond-Point du Prado.
Metro: Take Line 2 to Ste Marguerite/Dromel. Leave at station Rond Point du Prado.
BRITISH CONSULATE 24 Avenue du Prado 13009 Marseille France Tel: 04 91 15 72 10 Fax: 04 91 37 47 06 Monday to Friday 9:00-12:00 and 14:00-17:00
BANKING HOURS 0900-1630 Monday to Friday
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
Vieux-Port The old harbour, the reason for Marseille's existence, is overlooked by the Old Town and two 17th century forts. A ferry crosses the port throughout the day.
Museum of the Roman Docks Located in the Vieux-Port, this shows off the remains of ancient docks and commerce.
The Town Hall A 17th century Baroque building looking out over the old harbour.
La Canebiere The main street of the city, which slopes upwards from the Vieux-port, is animated and cosmopolitan.
Chateau d'If Marseilles A nearby island that was once a fearful prison. Alexandre Dumas had his fictional character the Count of Monte Cristo imprisoned here. Visitors for the island embark from the Quai de Belges in the Vieux-port.
Basilica of Notre Dame de La Garde 19th century Romano-Byzantine church set high above the south side of the Vieux-port. From its terrace there are great views of the city and the sea.
The Bourse La Canebiere Old Stock Exchange, now a naval museum.
La Jardin des Vestiges Centre Bourse Part of the museum of local history, this exhibits ancient remains, including a surprisingly well-preserved 3rd century ship.
Palais de Longchamps Houses the Museum of Fine Art (Musee des Beaux Arts).
Unite d'Habitation Block of flats designed by the architect Le Corbusier, thought to be the exemplar of much modern housing around the world.
BARS
Il Caffe, 63 cours Julien, Marseille Come to Il Caffe and have a drink. This is a great place to begin your evening. The eclectic style of the interior has been proven to take visitors back to their youth.
L'OM Café, 3 quai des Belges, Marseille This friendly bar located in the Vieux-Port can erupt into a competitive atmosphere during an intense match. Decorated to the hilt in blue and white, the L'OM Café displays its devotion for sports and dedication to Olympique Marseille's fans. Big screen TV's are strategically placed around the bar so that no one can miss a single play while enjoying one of the beers chosen from an international selection. Facilities for the disabled are available, and groups are welcome.
La Maison Hantée, 10, rue Vian, Marseille The decor with monsters on the walls and Frankenstein as the host makes this bar even more popular! Known for the rock bands that play here, Le Maison Hantée is a good place to have a drink, shoot some pool, and unwind. Reservations are recommended
La Samaritaine, 2 quai du Port, Marseille The location and surroundings of this bar are two things that attract a number of tourists. La Samaritaine is the first bar on this street and is followed by a slew of other establishments. Musical entertainment is provided for visitors to enjoy while having a drink and an appetizer.
Le New York,33 quai des Belges, Marseille If you want to be in the midst of the trendiest scene in Marseille, this is the place to go. This exclusive bar/restaurant is frequented by politicians, journalists, business people and other elites. Meals and drinks can be enjoyed outside on the terrace, but dining in the air-conditioned inside is preferable during the evening hours. Groups are welcome. A private salon is located on the first floor. Reservations recommended.
O'Brady's Irish Pub, avenue de Mazargues, Marseille This extremely popular Irish pub is located in an old house just 10 minutes from the stadium. You can feel the excitement in the air on match evenings when sports fans root for their team on the big screen TV. This bar is especially popular to the locals of Marseille. Groups are welcome
O'Malley's Pub, 9, quai de Rive Neuve, Marseille This festive bar is popular among both locals and visitors. The convenient location and friendly atmosphere makes it easy to relax and choose from the selection of over 40 beers. The maritime decor reminds visitors that they are near the sea, while the Celtic music is a reminder that this is an Irish pub. Concerts with traditional music are provided on Wednesdays.
RESTAURANTS AND CAFES
Le Tire-Bouchon 11 cours Julien, 6e Specialties from Lyon with a touch of the exotic are the signature dishes of this restaurant in the bohemian cours Julien. Oysters au gratin, foie gras, lobster, duck and game all feature on the menu. A solid wine list complements any dining choice. And there is a terrace under the trees to get some respite from the hot summer nights. Closed Sunday and Monday.
La Taverne de Maitre Kanter, 1 place aux Huiles, 1e Traditional northern French cuisine, including choucroute (sauerkraut) and moules frites (mussels and fries), served in a relaxed atmosphere. The service is friendly and the portions generous. And there is a good selection of beers to wash the lot down.
La Côte de Boeuf, 35 cours d'Estienne d'Orves, 1e A restaurant with a well established reputation for the quality of its meat (cooked either on the grill or in a wood fire oven) and its excellent wine list. Wood, stone walls and a fireplace make for a cozy atmosphere. More expensive, but more up market, than L'Entrecôte du Port (which is good too) just around the corner. Closed Sunday.
La Cloche à Fromage, 27 cours Estienne d'Orves, 1e La Cloche à Fromage is a popular restaurant on the place Thiars where all the dishes on the menu feature cheese, be it in salad, sauces or even desserts. Check out the enormous cheese bell (cloche) after which the restaurant is named, where some 70 varieties of cheeses vie for diners' attention. Be warned though: you won't be able to taste them all in one sitting.
Table Ronde - La Taverne Bretonne, 24 rue Sylvabelle, 6e This crêperie is owned and managed by a guy from Brittany, and needless to say they know their stuff there. Try some delicious pancakes and galettes (traditional or more modern options, the choice is vast) washed down with some excellent cider. The décor will transport you to another part of France (the owners brought some Breton furniture and table linen with them to give the restaurant that authentic feel). Take away also available.
Le Shambhala, 40 rue des 3 frères Barthélémy, 6e For something different and more peaceful, try Le Shambala, a very Zen (and truly unique) retreat just round the corner from the cours Julien, in the lively La Plaine district. Here one can choose from hundreds of teas from around the world in a ‘Moroccan themed' room (rugs, bean bags, low coffee tables, and no shoes... you could be forgiven for thinking you have just stepped into Ali Baba's cavern). The home made pastries are delicious, and there are even board games for the restless. No smoking throughout. The restaurant next door is more expensive and less atmospheric
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