Lyon has a Romanesque and religious heritage and boasts many magnificent monuments and more than 30 museums.

The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière (known as Basilique de Fourvière in French) is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, who saved the city of Lyon from a cholera epidemic sweeping Europe in 1643. Each year in early December (December 8, day of the Immaculate Conception), Lyon thanks the Virgin for saving the city by lighting candles throughout the city, in what is called the Fête des Lumières or the Festival of Lights

Place Bellecour is a huge square covered with red gravel surrounded by flower stalls and shops. In the middle of the square is the equestrian statue of Louis XIV

Lyon is the third largest French city, it is a major centre of business and has a reputation as the French capital of gastronomy and is registered as a World Heritage site.

Marseille is the second largest city in France after Paris and the centre of the third largest

metropolitan area in France after Paris and Lyon.

Marseille was historically the most important trade center in the region and functioned as the main trade port of the French Empire. Marseille is France's largest city on the Mediterranean coast and largest commercial port. Marseille is the capital of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, as well as the capital of the Bouches-du-Rhône department. Its inhabitants are called Marseillais in French and Marselhés in Occitan.

The remains of the ancient Roman harbour of Massalia, near today's old port

View of the "Petit Nice" on the Corniche with Frioul and Château d'If in the background.