Marseille, France
A beautiful Mediterranean port city⛵️
While living in Paris, I hadn't heard the most ~favorable~ of things about Marseille when telling the locals that NYU Paris was taking us there on a weekend trip. Many Parisians questioned why I would even bother to visit, probably having to do more with their soccer teams' eternal feud rather than any other factor. Little did I know how wrong the Parisians were...
An easy 3-hour train took us from Gare de Lyon to Marseille, transporting us from a brisk 40° to a seaside paradise of 75° in February! We took the day to tour the sights of this historic city. A friend & I joined the all-French spoken tour and learned about the city's roots in the Ancient Greek culture and how the city is said to have been created by two lovers chasing their forbidden love. Over the years, Marseille flourished as a center of commerce as its Mediterranean port was connected to all the countries of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. This attracted many immigrants from around the world and made it one of the main gateways into France, making the city very ethnically diverse.
After our tour we enjoyed a seafood lunch on the edge of the port at Le Petit Pernod, taking full advantage of the beautiful day. We took a quick trolly up to the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde which sits on a hill overlooking the port city. This beautiful basilica took our breath away and so did its view of Marseille. Then, we came back to the city and visited Fort Saint-Jean that was built to guard the port and now serves as a museum. Next, we left the port to the fisherman village on the coast of the Mediterranean nicknamed Little Nice where many artists have retired. The seafront mansions seemed to be the perfect place to lounge and look out into the Mediterranean, which glistened with spectaculars hues of blue.
*With more time, I would've loved to visit the Calanques, a national park right outside the city with stunning white cliffs beside the Mediterranean*
This stunning and underrated city took my breath away and captures the beauty of La France!
Recommendations: Le Petit Pernod, Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, Fort Saint-Jean, Little Nice
2/17/2017
Old Port of Marseille (Vieux Port)~ the city was created around this port which brought commerce and immigrants into the city. The port is surrounded by trendy hotels and restaurant and is guarded by the centuries-old Fort Saint-Jean.
Le Petit Pernod~ rosé on a warm February day by the port
View from Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde on a foggy morning
Fort Saint- Jean~was built in 1660 by Louis XIV to guard the city's Old Port (Vieux Port). It has now been transformed into a museum and has the best view of the port.
Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde~ is the magnificent Catholic church that can be seen on a hill in the background. It is the symbol of the city and has the highest vantage point of the city.
View of Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde from Fort Saint- Jean
Fort Saint- Jean
the cutest <3
"Petit Nice"~ fisherman village at the edge of the Mediterranean. Away from the Old Port, it is a residential area where many locals live.
at the edge of the Mediterranean
The Mediterranean
The Mediterranean
the sun setting on our time in Marseille...
