Useful contacts
Police emergency : 17
Fire brigade : 18
SAMU : 15
Emergency doctor : 3624
Poison treatment center : 04 91 75 25 25
Items lost and found : 04 91 50 26 60
Pharmacy on duty : 3237
Emergency dentist : 0 892 566 766
Veterinarian emergencies : 04 91 13 44 44
Theft/lost of Visa Card : 0 892 705 705
EU emergency number : 112
Emergency traveller : 04 91 62 12 80
Items lost and found
41 bd de Briançon - 13003 T: 04 91 50 26 60
Consumer complaints: in case of dispute with a hotel, restaurant, retailer, you should contact the Direction Départementale de la Concurrence, de la Consommation et de la Répression des Fraudes (departmental consumer rights organization)
22 rue Borde - 13008 - T: 04 91 17 95 00
Working hours
Shops opening hours are 10am to 7pm Monday to Saturday. Reduced hours or closed on Sunday, especially supermarkets which are mostly closed on Sunday. There are however little groceries opened on Sunday until 1am or until late evening. The shopping mall « Centre Bourse » on Canebière is opened on Sunday such as boutiques located on Saint Ferreol Street, including the famous Galeries Lafayette.
Safety and security
Note that there are many reports of muggings and pickpockets so avoid carrying valuables and always watch your surroundings, like in most cities. You will want to stay away from Gare St Charles and the upper part of La Canebière at night. Most of the northern neighborhoods, known as "quartiers nords", are sensitive areas and should be avoided by tourists.
When driving a car, make sure the doors are locked. There have been occurrences of motorcyclists opening the doors of cars while the driver is sitting in it, and quickly snatching the bags and valuables from the seats.
Weather
Marseille benefits from a Mediterranean climate of hot summers, mild winters, plentiful sunshine and infrequent rain. Marseille sees tourist activity not only during the summer, but also during the spring, fall and winter because the climate here is exceptionally pleasant all year round. However, Marseille is known for the Mistral, a fierce, cold, dry wind from the north or north-west which roars down the Rhône Valley towards the coast. It can reach speeds of over 90 km (56 miles) an hour, can last for days and is usually accompanied by bright blue skies and glorious sunshine. But it is guaranteed to make temperatures plummet.
Language – list of common phrases
Words for Tourists
These basic words might come in handy in your daily interaction with the French people you meet.
Greetings
In France, a greeting is simply being polite. Greet shop owners when you walk into their boutiques, and make sure to say something on your way out as well.
Informal Greetings
These are not things you would say to someone you don't know, however these familiar phrases are something you'd use with your buddies or peers.
Note: Salut and ça va are often used together as in, "Salut! Ça va?"
Question Words
While traveling, you may find it very helpful to have a good command of basic question words and phrases.
