Jean-Claude Izzo

To get a more complete, though a little distorted, picture of Marseille, one can read the trilogy "Total Khéops/Chourmo/Soléa" from Jean-Claude Izzo. They are about an ex-policeman from Marseille. If you like the kind of "Série Noire" then this is a must. Having lived in Marseille for many years, these books are a fantastic memory of all places you can visit and see freely. Of course, the criminal side of the books can be found also, but will be invisible to the "standard" visitor. Most of these places exist and are worth visiting.

There is much more to see in Marseille than just the "Old Harbour" "Vieux Port" and Notre-Dame de la Garde, watching over Marseille and its inhabitants.

Aside from being three excellent books, this trilogy is a good start for visiting Marseille.