HIGHLIGHTS
- wind your way up the hill on the land train to the Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde
- take a ferry to the Chateau d’If
- treat your tastebuds to the delicious regional dish boullabaise
- visit the delightful fishing port of Cassis and cruise in and out of the Callanques on a pleasure boat
Marseille
Marseille is France’s largest port and second largest city and as it has close ties with North Africa and the Middle East, it enjoys an exotic, cosmopolitan atmosphere. The city also has a selection of excellent museums, most of which can be found in the old harbour area. The old port is charming and lively, buzzing with activity as fishing craft, pleasure yachts and ferries trundle their way in and out. Several stalls sell fresh fish such as squid, octopus and sea urchins.
The Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, with its lavishly decorated interior and huge gilded statue of the Virgin, dominates the city. It is well worth the climb to the top of the hill where the cathedral stands to enjoy the spectacular panoramic views over the city. For the less energetic there is a land train that leaves regularly throughout the day and winds its way up to the Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde.
An extraordinary variety of cuisines can be found in the restaurants of Marseille and a trip to the city would not be complete without sampling the regional dish of bouillabaisse. This seafood stew, a traditional dish of Provence, is made with onions, tomatoes and white wine. It is flavoured with fennel and saffron, then served up with rouille, a delicious garlicky mayonnaise and crunchy croutons. The dish must contain at least five or six different Mediterranean fish along with crab or shrimp.
An interesting excursion from the old port is to catch a ferry and take a trip to the Chateau d’If. This fearful fortress, built on a tiny island south west of Marseille, was constructed to house artillery but never used for that purpose. It later became a prison where common criminals, political prisoners and hundreds of Protestants were incarcerated.
Highly recommended is a day trip to Cassis, a delightful little fishing port with an abundance of excellent seafood restaurants lining the quay. From there you can also take a boat trip to admire the Calanques, narrow inlets along the coastline where the crystal clear water sparkles from the sun's reflection to the backdrop of towering ochre cliffs.