Where to go from Marseille for 1 day. Marseille: one very windy day. Visiting the Old Port from the embankment

It evokes mixed feelings: some fall in love with it at first sight, while others are put off by the simplicity and straightforwardness of this charmingly artless port city. Only one thing is certain – bright, lively, filled with the mindless energy of the sea, Marseille leaves no one indifferent. Guests of the city have a whole range of opportunities to have an interesting time: historical sights, various museums, lively bars and restaurants, and most importantly - a unique atmosphere. Even if you come to Marseille for just one day, this is enough to get to know it better.

A great way to see the sights of Marseille quickly and conveniently is to buy a ticket for a hop-on tourist bus. You can freely go from them and look around interesting place, and then board the next one during the day. This way you can cover a larger area, but at your own pace.

The best place to start exploring Marseille is from the Old Port (Vieux Port). Here you can hop on one of the tourist buses and tour the city to see its main attractions. All routes must include a visit to the pride of Marseille - the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de la Garde, a magnificent architectural structure in the neo-Byzantine style. Opens from the roof of the cathedral wonderful view to the city and the sea. If you are interested in art and architecture, be sure to visit the museum at the Cathedral, where you can learn a lot of interesting things about the history of its construction.

After exploring Notre-Dame de la Garde we return to the Old Port to stroll along the docks, admire the ships and visit fish market, in a word, to see everything that Marseille lives and breathes. In the northern part of the Old Port (7 Promenade Robert Laffont) is Marseille's newest museum - the Museum of Civilizations of Europe and the Mediterranean MUCEM with a stunning exhibition telling about the origins of European culture.

The first half of the day flew by so quickly, which means now is the time to have a snack! What to order for lunch in the port of Marseille? Well, of course, the signature dish local cuisine– the famous bouillabaisse fish soup of Marseille fishermen! You can order bouillabaisse at one of the many fish restaurants in the Old Port. A tried-and-true, although not the cheapest, option is Le Miramar (12 Quai du Port), which serves excellent bouillabaisse as well as many other fresh fish and seafood dishes.

After a good portion of bouillabaisse, we will continue our walk around the Old Port. Traveling north along the embankment, you will reach the Old Town of Le Panier - the center of cultural life Marcel. Wander the alleys of Le Panier to experience the artistic spirit of this area, also known as Marseille's Montmartre. In the center of the Old Town is the Old Almshouse La Vieille Charité (2 Rue de la Charité), a three-story building that now houses the scientific and cultural center of Marseille, including the Museum of Archeology and the Museum of African, Oceanic and Native American Arts.

After such a long walk, it would be nice to freshen up and drink a glass of pastis - aniseed vodka, which Provence is famous for. In the Old Town, you'll find bistros and bars at every turn where you can take a break, such as Le Charité Café (2 Rue de la Charité), a cozy self-service cafe where you can order drinks and light snacks throughout the day.

If you still have energy and time, then why not return to the Old Port and go on an excursion to the islands where the famous Château d'If, or calanques, is located? Frioul-If-Express boats to the islands depart from the Old Port pier throughout the day. Using Icard Maritime boats, which also depart from the Old Port, you can go on a two-hour excursion to the calanques, amazing geological formations of rare beauty.

Returning to the Old Port after a short sea travel, you can once again admire the picturesque seascape, but in the rays of the sunset, remembering your one-day walk around.

When you mention Provence, your imagination conjures pictures of serene countryside, Mediterranean landscapes and secluded azure bays. And also picturesque cities, among which Marseille occupies a special place. It is one of the oldest cities in France and a major port with plenty to see and do. And even if all the sights have been explored, if you have plenty of time, Marseille will not disappoint. Convenient to travel from the city day trips for a detailed acquaintance with the south of France. Where to go and what to see near Marseille?

What to see in the vicinity of Marseille

Avignon

103 km separate Marseille from Avignon - the treasure of Provence, which will surprise you with an abundance of attractions. For centuries it was considered the center of French Catholicism and art. You should not miss the opportunity to visit the Papal Palace - an example of medieval Gothic architecture that served as the residence of the Pope.

It took centuries to build, so inside you can admire the decoration of different styles. IN Papal Palace Ancient paintings have survived, and exhibitions are held regularly. Another striking architectural monument is St. Peter's Basilica. Luxurious carved doors deserve attention here. Museum lovers in Avignon can visit the Calvet Foundation, which stores medieval antiquities, masterpieces of painting and a collection of coins.

After sightseeing, you should go shopping: buy famous Provençal pottery, delicious lavender souvenirs or bright, high-quality fabrics. Avignon will also give you many gastronomic experiences. In this city, they created the dessert papalin, made from chocolate and liqueur made from honey and oregano. You can enjoy local nougat or caramelized fruits.

Carpentras

112 km from Marseille is Carpentras, which many tourists know nothing about. But in the past the city was famous as a center of trade and had an impressive history. Carpentras offers a look at monuments from different eras. You can start with the Roman arch, decorated with sculptures, and then go to the Church of St. Siffredios. It began to be built in the 15th century, and was completed only 200 years later. And the tower was only built in the 20th century. The result is bizarre combinations in architecture and the interweaving of ancient elements with modern details. Carpentras also became famous for its synagogue, recognized as the oldest in France. If you manage to be in the city between November and mid-March, you can go to the truffle market. This is another feature of Carpantra, attracting here not only connoisseurs of this valuable delicacy, but also the curious.

Arles

90 km from Marseille, Arles is a charming town with Roman heritage, narrow streets and ancient houses. Since ancient times, he has inspired great masters, including Van Gogh. There are so many attractions in Arles that you need to set aside at least a week to get to know them. But even in one day you can get an impression of the city. One of the most spectacular places to visit is the Roman Amphitheater, built in the classical tradition. Even today it serves as a venue for operas and plays, and the amphitheater tower offers panoramic views of Arles.

The bridge depicted by Van Gogh in the painting “Langlois Bridge in Arles and Women Washing” 1888

Tourists visit with interest the Roman necropolis, where saints and noble citizens are buried. Roman sarcophagi with decoration have been lost, but the place still attracts tourists with its mysterious atmosphere, monuments and the remains of numerous chapels. In Arles you can't miss the Arlaten Museum. This is a unique ethnographic exhibition telling about the identity of Provence, its culture and characteristics. The museum contains samples of local flora, a collection of minerals and archaeological finds, traditional costumes, crafts and authentic household items.

Nim

If you get to Arles from Marseille and then drive another 20 km, you can get to Nîmes, a city with a record number of surviving Roman monuments. You need to have time to explore at least some of them in a day. However, it’s not even a matter of quantity, but of their condition.

It's worth starting with the amphitheater - an impressive arena where concerts of world stars are held today. Maison Carré is no less unique - snow-white ancient temple, later converted into a church. IN historical center The Fountain Garden is located around an ancient pond. It is famous for dozens of picturesque sculptures, fountains and, of course, Roman buildings. On its territory you can see fragments of the Temple of Diana, an aqueduct and a bath.

For tourists, Nîmes is somewhat reminiscent of Paris - no less beautiful, but not as popular and noisy. It's a pleasure to use it hiking and stop at cozy restaurants. By the way, the local cuisine is famous for several dishes that will delight any gourmet. It is worth trying the cod casserole brandade, vegetable stew with the addition of bovine meat and honey-lemon cookies.

When going to Marseille, according to other reviews, I was in the mood for dirt and a lot of emigrants. Maybe we didn’t go there, but we didn’t see it all. A normal city, at least the center. Despite the month of June, we were unlucky with the weather. It was cloudy, cool, and then it started drizzling.

You can leave the port by taxi for 20€. We followed the green line on the asphalt to the free shuttle. The stop is 700 meters away, but the wait for the bus was long, about 50 minutes. It takes you to the ferry terminal, next to the Cathedral.

We walked around the center and took a taxi for 8.5 € to Notre-Dame de la Garde. The panorama from there is beautiful, despite the gray sky. The cathedral itself is quite unusual; there are models of sailing ships hanging inside.

Because it started to rain, we took a taxi straight from the cathedral to the port, 25 euros.

Do you have a desire to return? Probably not. We saw all the most significant things. If only to travel around the surrounding area.

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There’s no need to go to Chateau d’If a second time, but we definitely didn’t regret it

Having been to Marseille more than once, each time I was going to go to the Chateau d'If, and something always got in the way, postponing the trip to the island until next time. And now this time has come! Cruise port is located far from the city, you need to take either a ship transfer for $16 roundtrip, or agree to a taxi. Maybe there are other possibilities, but we haven’t seen them. A taxi costs 20 euros, either by meter or by agreement, bargaining is not appropriate.

Immediately, so that nothing would interfere, we took boat tickets to the island at a convenient time. This is where I slapped myself on the forehead! After all, last time I saw boat trips combining the Chateau d'If and swimming near the romantic rocks, but then, due to the weather, it was not relevant, and somehow it was not postponed. It’s stupid to take a swimsuit to Marseille, there are no beaches. If they took it, their hands wouldn’t stretch out, but they could also go swimming in this heat. Apparently, again another time...

The cost of a boat trip with the premises of the Chateau d'If is about 16 euros, if I'm not mistaken, the duration is 2 hours.

One thing it’s impossible to imagine Marseille in the morning without is the damp-smelling fish market! It’s a pleasure to wander among trays with unknown types of shells or frightening reptiles!

We walked around the city a little, ate cherries, bought a pair of glasses for the price of one, five more dresses and lots and lots of water (it was so hot!), and finally boarded the boat. The exit from the marina is guarded by the Museum of Civilizations, which is probably interesting - a note for next time.

I wonder if anyone has calculated in which language the books by Alexandre Dumas, published in multi-million copies, were read the most? I think our country occupies an honorable place in the list of admirers of the great science fiction writer, otherwise why would the Museum on the Isle of If post information in three languages, one of which is Russian?

The childhood of our generation (born in the USSR) was imbued with the romance of Dumas, we read fascinating stories avidly, experienced the adventures of the heroes as if they were our own.

A trip to the Isle of If is akin to an emotional pilgrimage - a return to childhood, a way to renew those amazing experiences...

So if you haven't read the novel The Count of Monte Cristo and don't share my connotations, the museum may not seem interesting or worth the money and time - a fortress and a fortress.

I regretted that I didn’t bring a volume of Dumas on the cruise; I would have swallowed it in one gulp like in childhood. My sister and I loved to read and used clever tricks to deceive the vigilance of strict parents who did not allow us to read in bed before going to bed. We persuaded our grandmother to give us lanterns, and set up secret reading caves under the blankets...

A less emotional, but convincing argument in favor of the Museum can be the indisputable fact that the information in the former dungeons is written in Russian, little-known but interesting facts from the life of Dumas are told, the museum is welcoming and loyal to the universal love of visitors for fictional stories, never here happened.

We carefully peered at the walls of the castle as we approached the island, hoping to see the rocks to which the abbot was aiming, digging his saving tunnel. No, we sighed, he would not have been able to reach the steep walls in order to escape by sea.

The inspection begins in the courtyard with a well that collects rainwater. On the ground floor of the castle there were warehouses for storing ammunition and food. There have never been cameras here, which is probably why the legendary Dantes camera was placed here. There is a camera with a screen installed inside so visitors can see themselves in captivity and take selfies.

A hole was made between the chambers of Dantes and Faria in exact accordance with the legend. And if you think that the secret tunnel was dug these days for the sake of literary pilgrims, then you are mistaken! In 1858, Alexandre Dumas visited the island and was greatly surprised when the concierge told him in detail the fascinating story of Edmond Dantes's imprisonment, the death of the abbot, his escape, and, as evidence, showed the visitor the tunnel dug by the old man between the cells.

Another famous visitor to the island is the rhinoceros, which stopped here in 1515 to wait out a storm. This unprecedented animal was presented by the Portuguese king to Pope Leon X.

On the second floor of the castle there are prison dungeons where real prisoners were imprisoned. The walls keep traces of the presence of prisoners. The island prison is a one-way road; convicts convicted of political and religious matters were exiled here.

The staff rooms were located on the floor above; it is much more comfortable here - there are windows and fireplaces. On the roof of the castle there is observation deck. The castle is small, but very welcoming.

At the exit from the museum there is a souvenir museum and a cafe. The return boat arrived and we said goodbye to Chateau d'If. There’s probably no point in going here a second time, but we definitely didn’t regret visiting.

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Marseille - the maritime heart of Provence

Our cruise started in Marseille. We arrived from Moscow at night. Marseille Provence Airport is located 27 kilometers from the city center, and a taxi ride to it is not a cheap pleasure. According to the night rate, the meter showed 68 euros. Along the way there were a lot of long and toll tunnels, one of which runs under the old port and through the entire city.

The price of pleasure is 18 euros per person, although you could ride around the city on a tourist train from the same embankment for 7 euros per person.

But first we looked at the immediate surroundings of the port and walked along the embankment. My desire was to first get acquainted with the local highlight - the mirror pavilion from Foster + Partners. This place undoubtedly attracts all tourists visiting the Marseille embankment. We also did not refuse to visit Through the Looking Glass.

Everywhere during our walk we came across a variety of picturesque and painted animals - deer, hippopotamuses, pandas and even elephants.. Apparently these are the consequences of the fact that in 2013 Marseille was declared the “Cultural Capital of Europe”, and various exhibitions and cultural events were held here all year long. .

Romance of the port - all around beautiful views with yachts. We walked along the embankment. Here on the embankment, beautifully restored townspeople's houses and churches delight the eye. We looked into the surrounding streets. We walked around and looked around - everything was clean and neat, the people were friendly, absolutely nothing of those scary stories about dirty Marseille. The next animals we encountered were lions and bulls in the style of Salvador Dali on long legs. And here is the giraffe and the rhinoceros, all so colorful and cheerful! And of course uplifting! In Latvia we have the city of Ventspils, where there lives a whole herd of similar multi-colored cows of all colors and sizes, scattered throughout the city.

There are also museums here, but, unfortunately, we didn’t have time to visit them. But quite by chance and for free, we witnessed a wonderful performance by street ballet dancers. It was an amazing performance that added extra pleasure to the walk.

The streets of Marseille are decorated with various compositions of plants, which gives a special freshness to the concrete jungle.

We drove past the city beach with azure water in the sea. There are a lot of people for such a tiny space, but at least this is a refreshing way to cool down in such a stuffy environment. We passed the memorial arch La Porte de l'Orient. Everyone notes that the seashore in Marseille is extremely beautiful, dotted with small coves. The color of the water is very beautiful, this is indisputable, of course.

We climbed higher and higher along the winding streets and then another one appeared ahead. business card Marseille - Basilica Notre-Dame de la Garde. Since the Hop-On Hop-Off bus allows you to get off at any stop along the route and then catch the next bus, we took this opportunity to visit this beautiful air temple.

Going up to the cathedral, you can admire the view of Marseille from the very top for a long time high point- from here you have an excellent panorama of the city itself and the water area Mediterranean Sea. The basilica is crowned with a tall gilded statue of the Virgin Mary and Child (12 m), which is periodically updated, sheathed with new gold plates.

It’s very beautiful and truly festive in the Cathedral itself. The models of ships hung throughout the basilica immediately catch your eye. This tradition was born in ancient times, when families of sailors asked for the return of their relatives and brought models of ships.

Well, we were already getting ready to head back to our bus, which should soon arrive at the stop. And the same one walked past us tourist train, which can also be used to get to the Basilica from the Old Port embankment.

Returning to the Old Port, we once again walked along the cozy embankment. From here you can go on boat trips and see not only the city from the sea, but also other attractions of Marseille, for example the Frioul Islands (Iles de Frioul), where the Chateau d'If is located, about which Alexandre Dumas wrote in his novel "The Count of Monte Cristo".

And if you have time, it’s even better to take a boat to the west of Marseille and see the picturesque bays of the Calanques - one of the most beautiful places on the Mediterranean Sea. The time of our mini-stop was not particularly conducive to such a vacation, but we programmed it into our plans for next time.

This is where our walk around Marseille ended. We got into a taxi to go back to our ship. On the way, we passed by and caught a glimpse of another attraction - the Marseille Cathedral (Cathedrale Sainte-Marie-Majeure de Marseille).

In general, the city made a very pleasant impression on us. Now I’d also like to appreciate the beautiful nature of the local coves, and then this resort will definitely remain in my heart for a long time. See you again, Marcel!

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A very beautiful piece of Provence

All major attractions are easily accessible

The whole family (my wife and I and our 2-year-old son) arrived in the port of Marseille at the Costa Magica in August 2015. The liner docked at the cruise pier and there are several ways to get to Juliet Square:

By taxi (expensive);

By bus from Costa (10 Euro, round trip);

First, 1-1.5 km on foot (for us this is not a problem, especially since our child is in a wheelchair) to the left of the liner towards the city to the free shuttle bus stop, and then on the shuttle bus, free of charge, respectively, already to the square.

On Juliet Square, when leaving the Port, you turn right and after walking a little along the port you immediately come to the Cathedral and the Old Port,

Taking a leisurely look Cathedral and upon reaching the Old Port we saw a small excursion train, Train Touristique, it had 2 routes - 1) to Notre-Dame de la Garde and 2) Old Marseille for 8 Euro per person, child free. We chose Notre-Dame de la Garde because we really wanted to visit it. The route takes a little time, and near the Cathedral the train makes a stop and drops everyone off, and back to the Old Port you need to go on any next train, in general there is enough time to explore the Cathedral.

Having returned to the Old Port by train, we decided to move on, namely to the Longchamp Palace, and given that time allowed, and the Palace from the Old Port is only 2-2.5 km away, we decided to take a walk and, in general, did the right thing. We slowly walked to the Palace, admiring the beautiful streets of Marseille along the way.

There is a tram running back to Place Juliet from the Longchamp Palace, and the stop is called “Lonchamp” and is located 50 meters from the Palace. We used it to get back.

We really liked Marseille, this is exactly how we imagined it. Of course, one day is not enough to explore this beautiful city, but now we know for sure that we need to return to Marseille...

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all attractions are located quite compactly

the port is far from the center, food prices are draconian

The layover in Marseille was 8 hours. In principle, this time is enough to take a good look at the main attractions:

Basilica of Our Lady of the Guardian (Basilique Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde)

Longchamp Palace

Cathedral (Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-Majeure de Marseille)

Old Port (Vieux-Port)

Exchange (Palais de la Bourse)

Town Hall (Hôtel de ville de Marseille)

Fort Saint-Jean and Fort Saint Nicholas

Palace of Justice (Palais de Justice de Marseille)

Marseille provides its guests with ample opportunities not only to get to know the city itself, but also the region as a whole. Numerous travel agencies and private guides offer a wide variety of excursions - from general sightseeing to thematic and non-standard ones. But first things first.

Assortment city sightseeing tours very big. And you can find something that suits you. So, you can become a participant in an organized bus and walking tour conducted by one of travel agencies city (although it will be held in French or English, but it costs about 20 - 25 euros per person) or order sightseeing tour immediately in Russian from a private guide (however, the price will be much higher - from 50 to 250 euros for a group of up to 4 people). You should immediately take into account that such an excursion is usually designed for 2 - 3 hours, and you can save money by going on tourist bus and armed with a guidebook. In this case, it turns out that you see all the main attractions, but it is not the guide that tells you about them, but the book. The ideal option in this case is knowledge of English or French. In this case, there will be no problems at all with understanding and choosing an excursion.

One of the most popular excursions concerning the sights of Marseille is a journey to the mysterious Chateau d'If, glorified in the novel “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas. Nestled on small island in the middle of the sea, the castle (and also a former prison) still attracts an impressive number of tourists. Such a tour, designed for approximately 2.5 - 3 hours, costs around 120 - 150 euros with a private guide, including organized group needs to be clarified.

If we talk about where you can go from Marseille, then this is, first of all, a charming town Aix-en-Provence, which is essentially real cultural center Provence, which has absorbed its most characteristic original features. Real pride local residents are monuments of medieval architecture, as well as very beautiful fountains, of which there are several hundred in the city. It’s not far to go there - about 30 kilometers, and a trip with an organized group costs from 30 euros (of course, private guides are more expensive), so don’t be surprised, this excursion is very popular among tourists.

If you don’t want to limit yourself to the Provençal spirit of Aix-en-Provence, you can go on a tour "Traditional villages of Provence", able to introduce curious travelers to all the charm and cute charm of southern France. And I’ll say right away - after visiting a couple of quiet and cozy villages, built up with ancient mansions, filled with the aromas of fresh baked goods, wafting from the family bakery, and looking at the vineyards, you will completely fall in love with this amazing region, filled with the friendliness of the locals and the warmth of the climate. Of course, you can book such an excursion from a private guide and go with him to conquer the surrounding villages by car (a day of such pleasure will cost around 300 euros). But I would advise especially inquisitive and active tourists to choose a place they like on the map and rush there on their own by train or bus, wander through the quiet streets, plunge into this amazing atmosphere and return to the fan (although you can even rent a house or room and stay in such a village for a couple of days - this is for those who value peace and harmony on vacation).

Most people associate Provence, of course, with endless lavender fields. Everywhere in the markets you can buy pillows with dried lavender flowers, soap with lavender oil and much, much more. Therefore, it is not surprising that one of the excursions that you may stumble upon in the list of proposed destinations is dedicated to this particular symbol of the region. Typically, during such an excursion, which is usually called « Lavender fields» or "Blooming Provence" You will be able to see real blooming lavender fields that resemble a lilac canvas, enjoy their incredible aroma, get acquainted with the technology of preparing certain products with lavender and buy something for yourself as a souvenir. This route, of course, is designed not for 2-3 hours, but for at least 6-8, and will cost a private guide 300-400 euros per mini-group. About the excursion

In addition, you can visit one of the famous and ancient French cities located near Marseille. This could be the legendary Avignon, the place of the medieval “captivity of the popes” (6 aces, from 200 euros with a private guide), or fashionable Cannes or Nice - pearls Cote d'Azur(400 – 800 euros for a private guide).

An excellent option could be independent travel on a pleasure boat Calanques. These are small bays located near Marseille, with headlands and cliffs jutting out into the sea, often called “French fjords”.
You can easily lose time while admiring them, and the photographs taken against their background are truly impressive. By the way, an excellent alternative to this trip can be getting to know the Calanques from the air - very often you can find offers to fly over these places by helicopter (from 300 euros per person). Well, lovers of romance can even take a closer look at the idea of looking at Provence from a bird’s eye view, or from a basket hot air balloon . In this case, you will be able to see not only Marseille itself, but also such amazing cities like Nîmes or Avignon. This air trip is designed for 4 - 5 aces, and will cost approximately 500 euros per group (3 - 4 people).

And finally, I can’t help but note thematic excursions , focused on certain aspects of life in Marseille and the region as a whole. This is, first of all, gastronomic travel, introducing their travelers to the best dishes local cuisine, with traditional recipes and the most interesting restaurants or farms. The cost of such a route can vary greatly, since the price is strongly influenced by the duration of the excursion (it can be from 3 days to several days if it includes visits to several cities or towns), as well as the scale of tastings and the geography of the route itself. But in general, you can focus on an amount from a modest 150 (Marseille cuisine, designed for a couple of aces) to an impressive week-long acquaintance with the culinary traditions of the region for 5,000 euros.

And finally, let me remind you that the south of France is also one of the most popular winemaking regions. So if all of the above routes do not impress you or you just want to relax, go to conquer the wineries of Provence, during which you will not only learn about the process of harvesting grapes and making wine, but will also be able to taste local products.

Happy travels!

Overall about the trip. For a long, long time I dreamed of going to France, where I once studied, with my husband... And now the dream has come true. Moreover, not only my husband, but also my son saw Douce France (tender France, in the words of the famous song), when he was less than three years old.

The travel plans somehow came together on their own. First, on a tip from friends, we bought Airfrance Moscow-Marseille tickets for mid-March (profitable - less than 8 thousand per person round trip, now these prices are no longer available). It was intended romantic trip together: a day in Marseille, then three days in Nice, where my very good friend lives with her husband and son, restaurants, walks... However, then it was decided to take our son on the trip, for whom an additional ticket was urgently purchased. This changed the concept of the trip somewhat. And yet, everything went great, even taking into account the numerous trips and sometimes not very good - if not bad - weather.

Of course, knowledge of the language and French life in general was not superfluous - even on the Cote d'Azur, English is not spoken at every step, and everyday problems are solved faster in French. In Nice, in general, we had not life, but Maslenitsa: we spent all three days there with a friend and her family, which helped us discover corners of the Cote d'Azur that we ourselves would hardly have visited. However, it turned out that many things have now become easier for English-speaking tourists in France. For example, order train tickets possible through English-language sites, including www.tgv-europe.com and others. We used this site to buy tickets from Marseille to Nice and back (100 euros for three people for everything, child free).

Marseilles: port city, cultural capital and haven for Mediterranean visitors. To begin with, I would like to talk about my impressions of Marseille, where we were only for one day. Marseille is the second largest city in France and the largest Mediterranean port. In addition, it is also considered the most ancient city in the country: its foundation date is 600 BC. e. In 2013, Marseille was declared cultural capital Europe - which gives a trip there a special meaning.

However, we were in vain hoping that by 2013 the main projects within the framework of the “year of culture” would be completed and we would enjoy the improved infrastructure and new museums. Construction in Marseille is still in full swing: even the fastest sea ferry in the world, going from one part of the port in Marseille to another in 4 minutes, is still under repair!

It would be useful to know that in France Marseille is associated not only with cultural heritage, but also a high crime rate and a very large non-indigenous (mostly Arab) population concentrated in the northern quarters. However, after several years spent in Paris, Marseille does not seem such an intimidating “city of immigrants”. In the central areas where we were, the atmosphere was quite pleasant. The “native” locals, that is, actually not the first generation French, by the way, made a good impression: polite, fresh and tanned faces, dressed more brightly than in Paris: the southern flavor is felt.

And thanks to immigrants, Marseille is also famous for its colorful restaurants, where you can try delicious couscous, as well as its luxurious bazaars. We tried couscous at the L’Eau Vive restaurant (see below). And we came across the Arab bazaar on the way to the station - there was so much stuff there: fresh fruits, vegetables, fish! And by French standards the prices are very reasonable. It’s a pity I didn’t have time to buy and cook anything.

However, inconvenience for guests of Marseille sometimes arises due to the crime situation. So, the day before our arrival, all the city’s transport workers went on strike in protest against the fact that the bus driver was attacked by a juvenile criminal with a knife.

Transport . Public transport We really enjoyed our stay in Marseille. There is a developed tram network, the trains are very convenient and run every few minutes. We rode both in the subway and on the bus: it was also quite bearable. You can buy tickets for 1 day for all types of transport: 5 euros per person, children - free. My son especially enjoyed driving around Marseille: so many trips in one day!

It was no coincidence that we traveled a lot - the mistral was raging outside. As soon as we left the Newhotel Vieuxport in the morning, which we really liked, by the way (see photo below), we realized that we wouldn’t be able to walk for fun. From the window it seems that the weather is beautiful: sunshine, blue sky. And there’s a hurricane outside! The wind carries dust, newspapers and other debris along the ground, passers-by wrap themselves in scarves, hurrying to take shelter somewhere.... Therefore, dress warmly (scarves, hats, gloves - almost like in Moscow, where they left in the cold). Glancing out of the corner of our eye at the port, which was a stone's throw away, we hurriedly headed to the tram stop.

Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde . The main achievement of the day was the arrival by transfer (tram - metro Estrangini Préfecture - bus 60) to Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde (Basilica of Our Lady of the Guardian). By the way, walking there even in good weather You won’t be able to climb very well: the bus was traveling along very steep slopes. However, you can also get to Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde on a tourist mini-train coming from the Old Port. The area around the basilica is considered one of the most prestigious in Marseille; it somehow reminded me of the Haussmannian architecture of Paris.

The basilica, the first building of which was built in 1214 on the La Garde hill and then replaced by a much more monumental one, is rightfully considered the symbol of Marseille. This majestic temple, welcoming arriving ships from the height of its hill, is dedicated to sailors and fishermen.

The uniqueness of Notre-Dame de la Garde is primarily in its unusual style, which it calls “Romanesque-Byzantine”: both the exterior and interior decoration combines elements of Romanesque and Byzantine architecture. In 1871, a monumental gilded statue of the Virgin Mary, more than 11 meters high, was installed on the bell tower of the cathedral. The bell tower itself is more than 40 meters in height.

From behind the Mistral, enter the cathedral through main entrance(that is, up the stairs and then over the drawbridge) we failed. Having taken a photo of the stunning panorama of the city and barely able to stay on our feet from the wind, we walked to the basilica through the lower church (Crypte). The Byzantine mosaic inside is amazing! The ship models also look impressive, reminiscent of the symbolic meaning of this majestic structure.

Restaurant V Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde . The lower church, equipped in the most modern way, is also the “administrative” part of the basilica. There is an information point, a souvenir shop, and the L’Eau Vive restaurant. The latter is a real find, which is mentioned only by the most advanced guidebooks. In addition to an excellent menu and quite reasonable prices (there is even a set lunch for 12 euros), the restaurant also boasts a picturesque view of the city. The waitresses in the restaurant are missionary nuns of the Travailleuses Missionnaires de l’Immaculée order, which gives this establishment a special charm. In general, we confidently recommend to all lovers of food with “taste, sense, and arrangement.”

Around la Major . We also managed to see the second largest cathedral of Marseille, Notre Dame de la Major. The ancient quarter of Le Panier, located somewhat away from la Major, is also of interest. It was in this place that the Greeks once founded the settlement of Massalia, which gave the city its name. This area was once considered “poor” and was inhabited primarily by immigrants. Now this place is chosen by galleries and all sorts of shops and it is deservedly popular among tourists: the narrow streets of warm Mediterranean flowers are very beautiful.

Old Port .

As friends told me, a couple of years ago the Old Port was in a very neglected state and was not very convenient for tourists. However, it was decided to completely rebuild the port itself and the surrounding streets in order to make it the largest square in Marseille, a kind of “agora”. The work is partially ongoing, but now it is a really huge, well-equipped area where you can just walk, admire the yachts, look at the famous fish market, and sit in a cafe. And many museums (Museum of the Ancient Shipyard, Museum of Old Marseille, Cantini Museum, etc.) are not far from the port. Ferries depart from there to the Frioul Islands, including famous island If - we really wanted to go there to look at the city from the sea, but alas, the wind did not allow our plans to come true (below is a photo of the island of If from observation deck at Notre-Dame de la Garde).