Earlier in the week, I wrote about the French island of Corsica. To get to Corsica by ferry, travelers will have to pass through Marseilles. This southern city, once a playground for organized crime, is now a colorful and vibrant city. If you are looking for an alternative to the glitz and (dare I say) snobbishness of Paris, Marseilles is a good alternative.

Marseilles is home to many immigrant communities. There will make it seem like you are on the other side of the Straight of Gibraltar. This is the new France, one that embraces all the things that Francophiles love about the country while taking on new elements as well.

Sure, there are a few proud Frenchmen who don't want their country to change from its status as a mecca of wine and croissants. With the E.U. stance of immigration lax compared to America, there are going to be some significant changes to France in the coming years. Sure, the cafes will still be there. There are plenty in Marseilles. Some might serve coffee and croissants. Some might offer a hookah or a taste of palm wine. In Marseilles, there's more to experience than the stereotypical vacation to France offers.

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