Marseille Local Customs

A very popular drink in Marseilles is rosé wine. You'll often see locals putting ice in their rosé, which sounds completely wrong, but trust me, it is delicious, and complements the local climate and cuisine perfectly.

It is de rigeur for the Marseillais to have an apéritif or two before going out for an evening meal, and there is no more typical local apéritif than a glass of pastis, or "pastaga" as it is known locally. Served with ice and an accompanying jug of cold water, you can mix the strength yourself at your table.. but beware.. I would advise you to have no more than two before your meal. It is deceptively strong, and if you overimbibe, you may well turn up at the restaurant of your choice drunk, and your meal will be spoilt. Enjoy.

Petanque is the game about I'm speaking. If you have free time and have bought a peach in local food shop of Panier district then go to Cathedral De La Major. If you will be at time then you can watch this game. Next to Cathedral is place for Petanque.
Really interesting game and I suppose it isn't a only place where local people play Petanque in Marseilles.
This game is a little similar to curling but the scene is laid in sand and players send a ball closer to center. This game play mens and womens as well.

And to finish the visit of the "Marché aux poissons", look at this superb poulpe de roche (octopus or Octopus vulgaris) It is red with anger of being caught ! As you can see, it is fully living and you can take it home. Octopus have expressive eyes and can attach themselves strongly to any nice person. Why not to take this as a pet ?

Though there are many tourists that visit the "Marché aux poissons", those who buy fish are mostly locals. They know the shop keeper and the shop keeper know them and again, if you are able to understand enough French, listening to the people is worth the visit. "Avé l'assen" (with the [local] accent)

Even if you do not plan to buy fish, you should visit the "Marché aux poissons". The women that keep each booth are usually wife of fishermen. If you understand French, you will soon realize that they have a very interesting language to speak in praise of there fishes.

The fishes are usually not kept in ice but on special tables with a rim that allows filling it with fresh seawater. Thus, most of the time, fishes are kept alive morning long. They cannot be fresher, you can bring home living fish !

On the "Marché aux poissons", you will find every kind of local fish : soles (Solea solea) that the shop keepers will be happy to skin for you, Bonitou (bullet tuna or Auxis thazard) that you can buy as whole fish or sliced and many others.