France has a fairly good and stable economy, and a well-developed waterway. The latter stretched for more than 10 thousand km. If we talk about the largest ports, we can distinguish such as Le Havre, Marseille, Bordeaux, Sete and others. They play an important role in trade relations between states and allow the development of the economic sphere. For the year, Marseille alone carries out more than 90 million tons of transportation. What can we say about the total mass of cargo that is unloaded and sent by the ports of France.
Marseille
Marseille is the largest seaport not only in France, but in the entire Mediterranean. It is located in the southeastern part of the country, on the shores of the Gulf of Lion. A canal passes through the city, connecting the river. Rhone with a small strait. Marseille is a large city, second only to the capital in size. Like other ports in France, the one described is a commune. The population of the city is 852 thousand people.
Marseille was founded long before our era by the Greek tribes of the Phocians. All the long history of the cityreflected in its appearance: narrow stone streets, fortresses, cozy bays with azure water - this is how the port looked before, and this is how it remains now. Among the sights of the village, one can single out the Old Town, the If castle, the Frioul archipelago.
Set
Sète is another French city-commune, located on the shores of the Gulf of Lion. This is a major port of the state. The city is located on the hill of Saint-Clair. On the northwest side, Sète borders on Lake Etan de Tho (France). The port is designed in such a way that several canals pass through it, connecting the reservoir with the bay. The presence of artificial streams, which are supervised by sightseeing boats, makes the city look like Venice. The climate of Set is Mediterranean, hot. The population of the city is 44 thousand people.
Havre
Le Havre is a commune in the north of France, one of the largest ports of the state. The city is located in the Upper Normandy region. The settlement is divided into two districts: upper and lower. Almost all of its borders Le Havre is surrounded by water, by the way, like all other ports in France. The commune is located in the estuary of the Seine, has direct access to the English Channel. The construction of the city began in 1517 by order of King Francis I.
The English Channel largely influences the climate of Le Havre. It is often changeable. Precipitation falls evenly throughout the year, only slightly increasing in autumn. The weather in the city is always windy. Currently, Le Havre is a major industrial center of France.
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is a commune in northeastern France, part of the Bas-Rhin department. This port city is located on the left bank of the Rhine, almost on the border with Germany. The population is 272 thousand people. The Council of Europe and its parliament sit in Strasbourg, which is why the city is often called the parliamentary capital of Europe. Other French ports, unfortunately, cannot boast of such a value.
Strasbourg, along with Marseille, is considered one of the oldest cities in its part of the world. It is known that the first settlements appeared here in the 6th century BC. e. In past centuries, the city was considered the largest industrial center of France, as it was located in the historical zone of Alsace. Currently, Strasbourg's developments are focused on information technology, medicine, creative activities and tourism.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is a port city in France on the banks of the river. Garonne. It is located in the southwest of the country, the capital of the historical region of Aquitaine. 285 thousand people live in the city. Since ancient times, Bordeaux has been famous for its success in the field of winemaking, thanks to the famous vineyards. The French drink has acquired a special status in the world. The climate in the city is temperate maritime, with mild rainy winters and moderately hot summers.
On the outskirts of Bordeaux is the famous historical area of the Port of the Moon. This part of the city got its name because of the bend in the riverbed, which resembles a young moon. The Port of the Moon is the historical center of Bordeaux, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a unique urbanensemble of the Enlightenment.
