GENERAL INFORMATION
France, and specifically the Provence and Riviera regions hardly need an introduction.
Their rich history and unbelievable natural beauty are world famous, together with the pleasant weather, the quality of their produce & traditional kitchen.
The whole area has always been the preferred destination of countless tourists, artists and photographers.

The variety of the landscapes, from beaches to fields, from vineyards to Alpine slopes complements the quality of the architecture.
The stone farm houses and very old villages, the designer villas and the Belle Epoque buildings, together with quaint fishing harbours have contributed to make the whole area so characteristic.

Marseille, situated in the centre of all this beauty, is a thriving city with a huge harbour and convenient airplane and high speed train connections to Paris and other major cities in Europe,
The Grecian and Roman antiquities, palaces and museums blend harmoniously with the modern infrastructure. The amazing coastal roads lead to beautiful surrounding towns and the spectacular rock formations, beaches and caves known as the "Calanques",
Through the typical Provencal countryside, an inspiration to so many paintings, one reaches the tortuous mountain passes, which afford the most breathtaking views.

GENERAL STATISTICS
Population:
The population of France is 59,765,983 (2002 estimate). It is the fourth most populous nation in Europe, after Russia, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

Marseille Population

807,000 (city); 1,200,000 (metropolitan area).

Ethnic Groups:
Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic and Nordic, North and West African, Caribbean, Indochinese and Basque Minorities