Do’s:

• The French are very particular about tourists learning French, Do learn some French phrases. It will show you are making the effort to speak the language and shows respect.
• Use the GPS when travelling into the outer portions of the city, there are several small detours and unmarked highway routes.
• If using a mode of private transport, keep the car door locked, Not that there is always chances of theft but there are certain locations where car theft is abundant.
• Public transportation is cheap and a much better option than private transportation. Do take the metro (subway) and hang onto your ticket until you leave your station.  You could be checked by the police and fined if you don’t have your ticket stub and also always remember to validate your ticket before you board a train. Validating machines are located at the entrance to the “quai” or platform.
• Do shop before noon and after lunch. Some stores may close down between 12-2 pm as this is when most people have lunch.
• In France dinning is considered very important and there are several rules to follow, there are a few tips one of them is considering using a “Prix Fixe” menu, which will include a starter, main course, and dessert at a fixed price. Some restaurants have prix fixe menus with many choices for each course. Some offer menus which include some wine.

Dont’s:

• Tap water in Paris, Marseille, Lyon and most French cities are safe to drink, although many prefer bottled water. Never drink from a tap marked “eau non-potable” (not drinking water).
• In Marseille use of public bathrooms is must, no public urination, also understand that to use the washroom in places such as a train station or department store, you will have to pay a nominal fee.
• If purchasing fresh fruits do not touch the produce at an outdoor market. Simply indicate to the seller what you want.
• Do not (have to) tip as the 15% service charge is included in the bill most of the time. The bill will say, “Service Compris”.  However, it is a custom to leave an additional few Euros at dinner if the service was exceptional.
• Do not have dinner before 8:00 pm. It is more acceptable to have a pre-dinner drink (cocktail hour or “apero”) such as wine, beer, a kir or pastis between 7:00 and 8:00 pm. It can be served with nuts or crackers.

No day at Marseille is complete for the locals than one spent dancing, singing and food and drinks are considered a compliment to spending the night the best way one possibly can. With several new concept bars and clubs, Marseille seems to always want to be a step ahead of its neighbouring cities and competes furiously to provide some very unique experiences. Cabaret Aléatoire for the contemporary scene lovers, Le Rooftop for the dancers, Erre for a drink by the bay and Le Molotov for the punk lovers, it seems Marseille has pretty much every quadrant of party lovers covered. Keep in mind the locals will always help guide you to new clubs but it is better to do one's own research and then venture into town.

• Get to the old port, the creme de la creme of this little city meet up there to explore the luxurious hotelling options, the fishing market for the best in seafood and to try to make their way into the trendiest clubs. A quick ride from the city center, it's one of the best places to lay off some steam and get to enjoy the upper crest of this otherwise very humble and quiet community.
• Get to the Panier, a part of the city with mostly pedestrian routes winding down alleys each leading to a small cafe or boutique perfect for sampling the local cuisine and fashion. Built at a time when the bijou houses around the area housed most of the populous, it's now turned into a semi-commercial district, perfect for the wandering traveller.
• Adventurous much: Visit the Calanques when in Marseille, not a place guarded by the city's famed lifeguard association, it's dangerous cliffs sometimes peaking at a height of 400 mts are a hotspot for cliff jumping and paragliding enthusiasts.
• Savon de Marseille, the soap that put this city on the map, made from oils and Laurel, this buttery soap is famous for a reason, its fragrant smell and moisturising qualities have made it one of the highest purchased souvenirs, check out the way this soap is manufactured at Fer à Cheval, Savvonnerie Le Serail and Savonnerie Marseillaise De La Licorne.
• Learn the traditional sport of pétanque, enjoyed by elders and youngsters. The city is strewn with several petanque courts where challengers face off each other and try to get their boules to the center of the target.

• Le Panier: After the old port, Le Panier is the next part of Marseille where most visitors will spend their time, this little portion is where the greek first settled and transports visitors to this pastel coloured streets with graffiti and small local cafes.
• Parc Borely: This hidden gem is where all the locals go on a weekend to hang out with their families or loved ones. It’s a huge park close to the beach that has a lake, a café and bikes to hire. The walkway is a great place to put in some jogging rounds and go for a dip in the beach later.
• Rooftop Bar at La Friche: A number of startups have their offices here, but what's more important is it houses a great restaurant, skate park and bookshop/coffee shop. Don't mind the long queue's as every minute spent in waiting is worth it.
• Côte Bleu west from Marseille, towards the Camargues is an absolute gem. Take the train that winds high up around the coastal cliffs and stops at any one of the lovely small seaside villages.
• Vallon des Auffes: Is a small place, a great place to swim or picnic and it boasts a great family-run pizza restaurant and two of Marseille’s best restaurants (one of which has a Michelin star). A great place to find the local fish stew, bouillabaisse.

• Traditional rosemary, lavender and verveine soaps made locally in Marseille.
• Their Macaroons are beautiful and a perfect gift to take home for loved ones.
• Marseille is famous for its cultivation of Lavender and they have a never-ending list of products featuring lavender.
• Madeleines a sweet biscuit and can be found in almost all the Bakeries around town. Packed for travel, they are delicious morsels that can be enjoyed as gifts for close friends and family.
• Callison an almond dessert, with candied fruit is one more sweet sensation that tourists can take back.
• A good jam or tapenade (a sort of chutney made from olives or aubergines) makes a great gift. It’s common to serve a tapenade with gourmet bread with the apero or evening drink.
• Herbs de provence a local blend of herbs and spices that are pre-prepared in bouquets. You can add them to anything to make it look like you know your way around the kitchen.
• It may seem like a strange choice of souvenir, but Marseille has lots of wonderful sewing shops where you can buy Provençal fabric.
• Honey and variety of bread are also good for taking back home.
• The local jewellery, cute trinkets and accessories are something women love to shop for.