Marseille
What to see
If ancient buildings are your thing, you must visit the old "Vieille Major" Cathedral. The present cathedral dates back to the middle of the 12th century but the site has been in use as a place of religion since the 5th century. It is a very nice example of Provençal Romanesque architecture built in pinkish stone from the quarries at La Couronne. The bell tower was not built until the 16th century. In 1852 the new cathedral was built, reducing the "Vieille Major" to a parish church, which continued to be used until the 1950s.
Sainte-Marie-Majeure Basilica,the new cathedral, was designed by the architect Léon Vaudoyer, and the first stone was laid in 1852. The cathedral was consecrated on 6 May 1896. It is built in the Byzantine Romanesque style in the shape of a Latin cross. The total length of the cathedral is 146 metres; the main dome is almost 70 metres high and 18 metres in diameter.
If you look down on Marseille from the church of Notre-Dame de la Garde, from where the virgin watches over the town, centuries of history are spread before you: the remains of the ancient harbour; the church of Saint-Victor from where Christianity spread to the whole of Provence; the ancient "Panier" neighbourhood with its typically Mediterranean way of life; the imposing Longchamp Palace, a symbol of the power of Marseille in the 19th century; the "Vieille Major" cathedral and the architect Le Corbusier's impressive "living machine" apartment block.
Where to eat and drink
Marseille is the seafood capital of Provence. The early morning fish market on the Quai des Belges at the Vieux Port is worth a visit as the Marseillais fishermen and their wives sell the previous night’s catch under the blue umbrellas. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, the old port offers many excellent seafood restaurants. On the Quai de Rive Neuve you will find "Le Marseillais". This lively, authentic restaurant specialises in fish soups, such as bouillabaisse and bourride. If you choose to have the bouillabaisse, you can opt for two varieties: one is "Ravi" with six different types of fish, and a full meal. The other is "du Pêcheur" wich has three kinds of fish in it, and makes for an excellent lunch. In the small streets surrounding the Quai de Rive Neuve many more restaurants tempt you with fantastic dishes!
Further afield
Marseille is the gateway to Provence, an extremely colourful region that inspired many artists: Cezanne (Aix en Provence), Van Gogh (Arles), Chagall or Giono. The hills of Provence connect the sea to the alps: endless sloping vineyards, fields of yellow sunflowers, and large areas of fragrant blue and purple lavender. Provence lends itself to active holidays, such as hiking or cycling, but the area also offers the peace and quiet that so many of us long for.
The town of Toulon, approximately 50 kilometers from Marseille, is home to the French navy from where it patrols the entire Mediterranean. It also has an attractive marina, where nearby the ferries to Corsica and Sardinia depart. Mont Faron offers magnificent views of the town, the surrounding country site, and the sea.
Hotels
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