The new direct Eurostar service to the south of France will only take 6.5 hours to reach Marseille from London, also stopping at Lyon and Avignon. Kim Willsher, with the help of local blogger Elodie Van Zele, checks out the spectacular Mediterranean port’s most happening restaurants, shops, bars and places to stay• Lyon city guide• Avignon city guideIn the 2,600 or so years since the Greeks landed and named it Massalia, the French port of Marseille has welcomed waves of diverse and colourful visitors. After the Greeks came Persians, Romans, Visigoths, Russians, Armenians, Vietnamese, Corsicans, Spanish and north Africans – all leaving their distinct imprint on the city.Now the British are on their way, as tourists transported to France’s Mediterranean gateway by a direct Eurostar service from London, which launches on 1 May and takes only 6½ hours. Continue reading...