■ PLEASURES OF MARSEILLE
Less than a year ago when he took power, the French President Emmanuel Macron praised Marseille. I see citizens of Marseille, I see citizens of France,” he said, which prompted The Guardian to describe this great port city as “a litmus test for the future of France.” For visitors, Marseille’s delights include pistou (a thick vegetable soup), its refined pizzas, its pastis, and its many scenic tours. Fans of “The Count of Monte Cristo” can’t miss a glimpse of the Chateau d’If, a former prison and fortress that has since been transformed into a nature conservation area. “Picturesque” doesn’t even begin to do this city justice.
Marseille, a picturesque city, is one of the biggest and oldest ports in the South of France and the Mediterranean.
A former medieval capital of Provence, it is one of France’s oldest cities and the second largest next to Paris. Strolling along the heart of the city, one will find the Vieux Port (old port) of Marseille, filled with small and mega yachts, it is simply breathtaking. The waterfront is lined with cafés and boulangeries selling its most famous dish, bouillabaisse, a famous flavourful local fish soup.
Another famous culinary delight in Marseille is aioli, sauce made of garlic, olive oil and egg, perfect for a hard crusty baguette. Its cuisine is typically prepared à la provençale, or of Provence, where the main characters of the dish are usually tomato, garlic and rosemary. Marseille is also known for pistou, a thick vegetable soup seasoned with basil and garlic. Ratatouille is also a famous side dish with simmered tomatoes, onion, eggplant, zucchini and green peppers. Marseille is also known for its delectably refined pizza. As for beverages, famous is pastis, anise-flavored liqueur perfect for deglazing bouillabaisse before adding fish stock. The light fruity Provençal rosé wine goes with just about everything.
A great way to explore Marseille is through its hop on and hop off bus, also known as the Colorbus. Tickets are at €22 per person. The bus takes one along a scenic tour passing through famous sites like the Vieux-Port (old port) and Notre
Dame de la Garde.
Notre Dame de la Garde is a Romanesque-byzantine church located at a hilltop. This spectacular church stands on the summit of Marseille as its most important landmark, visible from afar. The site was used in ancient times as an observation point, and during the Middle Ages, was the location of a pilgrimage chapel. Today, the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde is a beacon for the faithful, with an enormous gilded Madonna crowning the belfry. The Le Panier (old town) is Marseille’s oldest quarter with its steep, narrow winding streets and quaint pastel-colored buildings. It offers a glimpse into the charming personality of Marseilles.
The Colorbus passes through Marseille’s Corniche coastal roads where one can catch a glimpse of Château d’If, a nature conservation area that includes the tiny islands of If. The scenery is spectacular with protected coves, turquoise waters, pristine beaches, sandy creeks and impressive limestone cliffs. King François I built it as a fortress in the 16th century. Soon after, the fortress was converted into a prison. The setting was also featured in Alexandre Dumas’ novel The Count of Monte Cristo. Another beautiful and prominent structure in Marseille is the Cathédrale de la Major of Marseille. The Cathedral stands high above the port with domed towers 16 meters high. Romanesque and byzantine in style with its harmonious colors of green and white limestone, it is a very picturesque site to behold.
There are a lot of places to see and things to do in Marseille, but for me, my day trip was indeed a memorable one. The magic of Marseille is deeply etched in my mind. Not only is the city picturesque, but also the feeling of being in the South of France, in Provence no less, is indescribable. The city embraces its own unique differences from the rest of France. No wonder Marseille was designated as the “European Capital of Culture” in 2013.