KEY POINTS:
The massage room is ready. The turf has been relaid. And a huge contingent of French police, anti-terrorist agents and other security officials are primed.
And let's not forget the luxury hotel. The World Cup All Blacks are coming to town and Marseille is counting the cost - $13 million and rising fast.
An All Blacks delegation of manager Darren Shand and Steve Cotterill have already visited the French Riviera city three times to outline the team's demands for their training base at the Stade Jean-Bouin, where they will stay for 10 days' training during the World Cup in September and October.
City officials, desperate to host the All Blacks to boost the profile of rugby in this football-mad metropolis, agreed to upgrade the previously spartan stadium at a cost of €7m ($13m) - and probably much more.
"The All Blacks are very good but very expensive," said Dr Robert Villani, City of Marseille director of sport.
"At this cost, surely they can afford to lose the final to France," he joked.
The All Blacks are delighted by the progress on the ground.
"The training facilities are excellent," said Shand, who had considered other cities as a base for the team.
Marseille are hoping they get some return on their investment in terms of leveraging the city's profile off the most recognisable rugby team on the planet, but city officials have been warned the team will keep a low profile as they bid to become the first New Zealand side to win a World Cup on foreign soil.
There was provision for 800 new seats at the stadium - but these will remain empty for the most part.
Frederic Couton, a project director for the city, said: "When the New Zealanders first came, Marseille wanted to accommodate all their fans but they said 'no'. They just wanted the best conditions to win. What they wanted they got."
On this point the All Blacks will remain staunch.
"There will be a lot of interest in our training but most of the sessions will be closed," Shand said. "We have to prepare as well as we can - but the people have been good to us and there will be opportunity for the team to interact."
Four years ago the All Blacks, based in Melbourne, came under fire from the Victorian Rugby Union for failing to promote the game in a state dominated by Aussie Rules.
The squad will be accommodated in a luxury hotel in Palm Beach, tucked beneath the beachfront promenade in gritty Marseille's most salubrious suburb.
The hotel is set into a cliff wall which protects its stunning coastline and every All Black will have an unfettered view of the Mediterranean and the island where The Count of Monte Cristo was set. They will have a short walk to a white sand beach.
They'll also have access to a bar, fitness centre, swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi, jogging course, tennis courts and water sports.
Security at Stade Jean Bouin will be tight. At least four branches of French forces will be manning the perimeter fences during trainings. Couton said there would be at least six representatives from Marseille police, six federal police, three gendarmes and three members of the anti-terrorism squad.
But is it all worth it? "For six weeks, this city will be all black," said Villani.
But locals hope the giant posters of the All Blacks springing up around the city won't be their only chance to see them.
- additional reporting Gregor Paul
