Wednesday 11 July 2012

Marseille



The day before heading to Marseille we met some people who were, lets say, less than complimentary about the place.  We therefore had no great expectations before arriving.  As such we were particularly surprised by how much we enjoyed our visit and how, in only two days, Marseille really grew on us.

For a long time Marseille was a very poor city and that still shows in places.  It is a little tatty around the edges but to be honest name a city that isn’t!  It is probably this background along with a hotch potch of cultures that gives it a slight edginess which we found endearing.  That or maybe Mike just feels at home around edginess! 
The winding streets and multi-coloured houses of the Paneir, with its artisan shops selling savon de Marseille, sit happily alongside the high end boutiques of the republique neighbourhood.  


 







The port side cafes selling moules frites give way to streets lined with haute cuisine where you can dine on oysters and bouillabaisse (a big posh fish soup).  




A 10 minute bike ride from the hustle and bustle of the old port brings you to a spectacular corniche (coastal road) along which you can ride to many of the city’s beaches.  If you are felling energetic, and we were (which was a good job since we had city bikes which weighed more than a baby elephant - or so it seemed), you can continue along the corniche to the fabulous Calanques national park where the sheer white cliffs rise majestically from the turquoise waters interrupted only by small idyllic beaches.  

























Our friendly local juice man told us that in recent times the city has undergone a massive regeneration project. He explained that most locals are really pleased with the results.  The old port continued to be worked on as we were there.  According to the posters when complete, next year, it will be Europe’s largest pedestrianised area.  We have no doubt that the results will be fantastic since even surrounded by builders’ hoardings the port looked pretty spectacular. 
Marseille’s crowning glory is its selection as European Capital of Culture for 2013.  Hopefully this will bring about more of the free high quality arts entertainment, such as the exceptional modern dance show by the Marseille and Cannes schools of dance, which we were lucky enough to see during our stay. 

1 comment:

  1. Enjoying your blogs, what a fantastic adventure you are having. Wish we were there!! Reading about your travels takes my mind off the constant rain, rain and more rain..keep on having fun. Deb Brian and Tayler xxx

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