Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Olympique de Marseille football club, was
found guilty of match fixing and sentenced to
two years in jail.
Many now think that it was these high-pro-
file corruption cases, combined with economic
recession and growing unemployment, that
helped fuel the rise of the extreme-right Front National (FN). Led by firebrand Jean-Marie
Le Pen, infamous for having described the Holocaust as a 'detail of history', the FN won
municipal elections in Toulon, Orange and Marignane in 1995, and Vitrolles in 1997. The
party also gained 15.5% of votes in regional elections in 1998 and 14.7% in 2004.
The FN never succeeded in securing the presidency of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
région
but Le Pen's success in the first round of presidential elections in 2002 - he landed
16.86% of votes, with its main support base in the south of France - shocked many
people. (He eventually lost in the second round, after a massive 80% turnout at the ballot
boxes, and 82% of votes in favour of his opponent, Jacques Chirac.)
formation technologies; earth sciences; health sci-
ences and biotechnology; teaching and research.
TIMELINE
c 90,000 BC
Neanderthal hunters occupy the Mediterranean coast; starting around 30,000 BC Cro-
Magnons start decorating their caves.
600 BC
The Greeks colonise Massalia (now Marseille) and establish trading posts along the
coast, bringing olive trees and grapevines to the region.
125-126 BC
Romans create Provincia Gallia Transalpina, from which Provence gets its name, and
Provence joins the Roman Empire.
400-900
The Roman Empire collapses and Germanic tribes invade Provence; Franks (hence the
name 'France') encourage villagers to move uphill to avert Saracen attacks.
974-1032
