Marseille - what to see in one day on a cruise. Marseille: one very windy day Where to go from Marseille for 1 day

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At the mention of Provence, the imagination draws pictures of serene countryside, images of 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 major port where there is something to see and do. And even if all the sights are explored, but there is plenty of time, Marseille will not disappoint. From the city it is convenient to make day trips for a detailed acquaintance with the south of France. Where to go and what to see near Marseille?

What to see around Marseille

Avignon

103 km separate Marseille from Avignon - the treasures 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, which served as the residence of the Pope.

It has been built for centuries, so inside you can admire the decor of different styles. Ancient murals have survived in the Papal Palace, and exhibitions are regularly held. 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 keeps medieval antiquities, masterpieces of painting and a collection of coins.

After sightseeing, you should go shopping: buy the famous Provencal clay dishes, delicious lavender souvenirs or bright, high-quality fabrics. And Avignon will give a lot of gastronomic impressions. In this city, papalin dessert was created from chocolate and honey and oregano liqueur. You can enjoy local nougat or caramelized fruits.

Carpentras

112 km from Marseille is Carpentras, about which many tourists do not know anything. But in the past, the city was famous as a center of trade and had an impressive history. Carpentras offers a look at the monuments different eras. You can start with a Roman arch, decorated sculptures, and then go to the Church of St. Siffredia. It began to be erected in the 15th century, and was completed only 200 years later. And the tower was completely built only in the 20th century. The result is whimsical combinations in architecture and the interweaving of vintage elements with modern details. Also, Carpentras became famous for the synagogue, recognized as the oldest in France. If you manage to be in the city between November and mid-March, you can get to the truffle market. This is another feature of Carpentra, which attracts not only connoisseurs of this valuable delicacy, but also curious people.

Arles

Arles is located 90 km from Marseille - a charming town with a Roman heritage, narrow streets and old houses. Since ancient times, he has inspired great masters, including Van Gogh. There are so many attractions in Arles that you need to allocate at least a week to get to know them. But even in a day it is quite possible to form 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 is used for staging operas and performances, and from the tower of the amphitheater, panoramas of Arles open.

The bridge captured by Van Gogh in the painting "Langlois Bridge in Arles and washing women" 1888

Tourists visit the Roman necropolis with interest, where saints and noble citizens are buried. Roman sarcophagi with decor 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 Arlatin Museum. This is a unique ethnographic exposition that tells about the originality of Provence, its culture and features. The museum contains samples of local flora, a collection of minerals and archaeological finds, traditional costumes, crafts and authentic household items.

Nimes

If you get to Arles from Marseille, and then drive another 20 km, you can get to Nimes - a city with a record number of preserved Roman monuments. During the day you need to have time to see at least some of them. However, the point is not even in quantity, but in their condition.

It’s worth starting with the amphitheater - an impressive arena, where concerts of world stars take place today. No less unique is Maison Carré - snow-white ancient temple, later converted into a church. In the historical center is the Fountain Garden, founded 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, the aqueduct and the terms.

To tourists, Nimes is somewhat reminiscent of Paris - no less beautiful, but not so popular and noisy. It is pleasant to walk along it 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 brandade cod casserole, vegetable stew with the addition of bovine meat and honey-lemon biscuits.

In general about the trip. For a long time, I dreamed of going to France, where I once studied, with my husband ... And now the dream has come true. And I saw Douce France (tender France, according to a famous song) not only my husband, but also my son - in his incomplete three years.

Travel plans have developed somehow by themselves. First, on a tip from friends, Airfrance Moscow-Marseille tickets were bought for mid-March (profitable - less than 8 thousand per person round trip, now these prices are gone). was conceived 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 a trip, for whom a ticket was urgently purchased. This somewhat changed the concept of the trip. And yet, everything went great, even taking into account the numerous transfers 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 didn’t have a life, but a carnival: we spent all three days there with a friend and her family, which helped us discover the corners Cote d'Azur which we ourselves would hardly have visited. However, it turned out that much for English-speaking tourists in France has now become easier. For example, order Railway tickets you can through English-language sites, including www.tgv-europe.com, etc. We used this site to buy tickets Marseille-Nice and back (100 euros for three for everything, the child is free).

Marseilles: seaport, cultural capital and haven for Mediterranean visitors. To begin with, I would like to tell you about my impressions of Marseille, where we were only 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: the date of foundation is 600 BC. e. In 2013, Marseille is declared cultural capital Europe - which gives a trip there a special meaning.

Nevertheless, we hoped in vain that by 2013 the main projects within the framework of the “year of culture” would be completed and we would enjoy the equipped infrastructure and new museums. Construction in Marseille is still in full swing: even the world's fastest sea ferry, 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 to be such an intimidating “city of immigrants”. AT central regions where we were, the environment is quite pleasant. The “native” locals, that is, the French themselves, not in the first generation, 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 taste delicious couscous, as well as luxurious bazaars. Couscous was sampled at L'Eau Vive (see below). And we stumbled upon the Arab Bazaar already on the way to the station - there is so much everything: fresh fruits, vegetables, fish! And by French standards, very moderate prices. It's a pity we didn't have time to buy and cook anything.

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

Transport . We really liked public transport in Marseille. There is a developed tram network, the trains are very comfortable and run every few minutes. We rode both in the subway and in the bus: it is also quite tolerable. You can buy tickets for 1 day for all types of transport: 5 euros per person, a child is free. My son especially enjoyed riding around Marseille: so many trips in one day!

And it was no coincidence that we traveled a lot - the mistral was raging in the yard. As soon as we left the Newhotel Vieuxport in the morning, which, by the way, we really liked (see photo below), we realized that walking for our own pleasure would not work. From the window it seems that the weather is beautiful: the sun, the sky is blue. Outside is a hurricane! The wind carries dust, newspapers and other rubbish along the ground, passers-by wrap themselves in scarves, in a hurry to hide somewhere .... Therefore, dress warmly (scarves, hats, gloves - almost like in Moscow, from 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 for the tram stop.

Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde . The main achievement of the day was the arrival by carriage (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 climb very much: the bus was driving along very steep slopes. However, you can also get to Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde on a tourist mini-engine coming from the Old Port. The area around the basilica is considered one of the most prestigious in Marseille, reminded me a little of the Haussmannian architecture of Paris.

The basilica, whose first building was built in 1214 on the hill "La Garde" and then replaced by a much more monumental one, is rightfully considered the symbol of Marseille. This majestic temple, which welcomes 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 he calls "Romanesque-Byzantine": both external and internal decoration combine 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 over 40 meters high.

Because of the mistral, we were unable to enter the cathedral through the main entrance (that is, up the stairs and then over the drawbridge). Having taken a photo of a stunning panorama of the city and barely keeping our feet from the wind, we went to the basilica through the lower church (Crypte). The Byzantine mosaic inside is amazing! Models of ships also look spectacular, reminiscent of the symbolic meaning of this majestic structure.

Restaurant in 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 gift 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 scenic view to the city. Missionary nuns of the Travailleuses Missionnaires de l’Immaculée order work as waitresses in the restaurant, which gives this institution a special charm. In general, we boldly recommend to all lovers to eat with "taste, sense, with arrangement."

Around la Major . The second largest cathedral of Marseille - Notre Dame de la Major - also managed to see. Of interest is the old quarter of Le Panier, located somewhat away from la Major. It was in this place that the Greeks once founded the settlement of Massalia, which gave the city its name. Once this area was considered "poor", mostly immigrants lived there. Now galleries and all sorts of shops have chosen this place, and it is well-deservedly popular with tourists: the narrow streets of warm Mediterranean colors are very good.

old port .

As my 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 Marseille's largest square, a kind of "agora". The work is partially ongoing, but now it is really a huge, well-equipped area where you can just take a walk, and admire the yachts, and look at the famous fish market, and sit in a cafe. And many museums (the Museum of the Ancient Shipyard, the Museum of Old Marseille, the Cantini Museum, etc.) are not far from the port. Ferries depart from there to the islands of Frioul, including the famous island of If - they really wanted to go there to look at the city from the sea, but alas, the wind did not allow plans to come true (below is a photo of If island from observation platform at Notre Dame de la Garde).

Marseille is known as the capital of the Provence region and the main port of France.
I stayed there for 5 days, can't tell if it's a lot or a little. For those who in passing touch the city for a day - I think that they are mistaken, the city firmly deserves at least two days.
I would recommend staying closer to the station, this has a number of advantages in terms of getting around the region as a whole if you are without a car. Yes, there is one minus - to the port ( historical center) - 20 minutes at an unhurried pace through the Arab quarter, but there are so many Arabs and blacks that it doesn’t matter in principle.
Marseille as a whole is not a city for the impressionable, it's certainly not Delhi or Bangkok, but in places it's really dirty, stinks and noisy - but try to abstract yourself and see, feel the city - it's not bad in general.
So: what’s cool about being near the train station…
1. I have already said that Marseille is a city for a couple of days - but the surroundings ... - took the train in the morning - 25 minutes and you are in amazing Aix (Aux Provans). City of Forty Fountains (I counted 12). City of artists and poets. Labyrinths of small narrow streets - countless restaurants and shops for every taste and budget, cozy, warm, pleasant - Old city good - no words. These are excursions until late in the evening, there are also a lot of tourists, by the way, the train comes directly to the city, 5 minutes to the center.
2. It is interesting to ride in Kasis. By ferry 20 min. The station is really in the mountains, but a bus and a taxi go to the embankment (the price is the same - 10 euros). The danger lurks on the way back - it can be difficult to find a taxi, and last bus at 19.00. By the way - if football - do not rely on a bus or a taxi - only on foot (3 -4 km). The town is small - but very pretty, but not cheap. There is a beach (no cabanas?) and the main attraction - the fjords (small, but beautiful and cute), boats go there, capturing 4-5 fjords - Calanques - locally). The cuisine in the town is varied, not cheap, but the fish is cooked excellently ...
3. You can go to many places from Marseille - 2 hours to Cannes, 3 hours to Paris and Monte Carlo, the main thing is to have time and desire.
Returning to Marseille, it is worth noting the positions - Charm and Disappointment:
The charm -
- Amazing beauty Cathedral La Major (Sainte-Marie-Majeure) on the seafront to the right of the center. embankment and fish market - go to the end and to the right - you will see, it is worth contemplating.
- Notre-Dame de la Garde (Notre-Dame de la Garde) on the highest hill of the city. You can get there by bus from the waterfront or on foot.
- I recommend a museum with a small park in the center of Marseille - amazing beauty. Very often there are various kinds of exhibitions. Marseille has been trying to make the cultural and spiritual center of France for some time now. While weakly it turns out in the opinion of an experienced tourist ...
- I won’t say that Marseille is a city for shopping, but I walked with my wife along the Rue de Republigue - very good, we enjoyed it - there is also an excellent wine shop - to the right of the embankment and 100 meters ahead !!!

Disappointment..
- Chateau d'If - if not strange. Of course, you will eat anyway - but half a day is wasted. There is really nothing to see - stone walls and fictional characters, plus 1.5 hours of waiting for a boat to Marseille. There are only stones on the island, but they made a beautiful legend .. Then it’s better to go further to the next island and grab your bathing accessories - have a good rest and swim a lot - which is actually what the locals do ..
- The famous soup - Buobas. Well, who knew that it is made from the smallest bony fish (these are the standard requirements) - and in our opinion it seemed inedible (well, complete crap - and even for 15 euros). Much nicer and nicer - a bowl of mussels for 8 euros.
The conclusion is clear - Marseille is worth visiting for at least a couple of days.

Marseille provides its guests with the widest 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. But first things first.

Range city sightseeing tours very large. And you can find something that suits you. So, you can become a member of an organized bus and walking tour conducted by one of the city's travel agencies (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). It should be immediately taken into account that such an excursion is usually designed for 2 - 3 hours, and you can save money by going on a tourist bus and armed with a guidebook. In this case, it turns out that you see all the main sights, 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 regarding the sights of Marseille is a journey to the mysterious Chateau d'If, sung in the novel by Alexandre Dumas "The Count of Monte Cristo". Nestled on a small island in the middle of the sea, the castle (and part-time former prison) still attracts an impressive number of tourists. There is such a tour, designed for 2.5 - 3 hours, with a private guide in the region of 120 - 150 euros, as part of an organized group, you need to clarify.

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 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 is not far to go there - about 30 kilometers, and a trip as part of an organized group costs from 30 euros (of course, private guides are more expensive), so do not be surprised, this excursion is very popular with tourists.

If you do not want to be limited to the Provencal spirit of Aix-en-Provence only, you can go on an excursion "Traditional villages of Provence", able to acquaint curious travelers with all the charm and sweet charm of southern France. And I will say right away - having visited a couple of quiet and cozy villages built up with old mansions filled with the aromas of fresh pastries coming from the family bread, looking at the vineyards, you will finally fall in love with this amazing region filled with the friendliness of the locals and the warmth of the climate. Of course, you can order 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 tuists 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 back (although you can completely rent a house or a room and linger in such a village for a couple of days - this is for those who appreciate 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 the addition of lavender oil and much, much more. Therefore, it is not surprising that one of the excursions that you can stumble upon in the list of proposed destinations is dedicated to this particular symbol of the region. As a rule, 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. Such a 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 for a mini-group.

In addition, you can visit one of the famous and ancient French cities located near Marseille. It can be the legendary Avignon, the place of the medieval "captivity of the popes" (6 aces, from 200 euros for a private guide), or fashionable Cannes or Nice - the pearls of the 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 Marseilles, with capes and rocks protruding into the sea, often called "French fjords".
Admiring them, you can easily lose a set of time, and the photos taken against their background are really impressive. By the way, an excellent alternative to this trip can be an acquaintance with the Calanques from the air - very often you can meet offers to fly over these rocks 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, and not 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 Nimes or Avignon. This air travel is calculated for 4 - 5 aces, and it will cost about 500 euros per group (3 - 4 people).

And finally, I can't help noticing thematic excursions , focused on certain aspects of the life of Marseille and the region as a whole. This is, first of all, gastronomic travel acquainting their travelers with 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 aces to several days if it includes visiting 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 the amount from a modest 150 (Marseille's 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 grape harvesting and making wine, but also be able to taste local products.

Happy travels!

If you have never been to Marseille, and your impression of this city is formed by the films "Taxi" and "22 Bullets", then when you finally find yourself in southern capital France, you run the risk of being very surprised. At first glance, there are no taxi drivers or Provencal mafiosi here, and the city itself is not much different from other cities of the Riviera. Here, take a look at the photo: the masts of yachts, the outlines of Notre Dame de la Garde, a typical southern color scheme, where the blue of the sky and the sea, the green of the trees and the yellow of the walls predominate - that's what Marseille is.

On the other hand, one cannot but admit that Marseille fully meets the stereotypes.

Yes, they make soap here.

Yes, houses in Marseille look exactly as you would expect - sand-colored walls, high windows, French balconies and shutters to hide from the hot Mediterranean sun.

Yes, in the mornings in the Old Port area, noisy fishermen sell small fish for the famous bouillabaisse, which made Marseille famous all over the world.

What to do if you have little time, if you are in Marseille just for one day? I recommend starting from the Old Port - this is one of the main places in the center of Marseille, from where streets and avenues diverge in all directions. As you venture deeper into the city, you'll see pretty and distinctive homes and neighborhoods - but before that, don't forget to marvel at the yachts at the local marina and take a ride on the Ferris wheel to spot all the landmarks.

Be sure to check out the forts of Marseille: from here you can see beautiful view to the city.

There are several forts and castles in Marseille, so there are plenty to choose from.

Some are famous. It seems that our liberals have not yet reached France to explain to them that the word "patriotism", in accordance with the requirements of the new time, must be considered abusive.

Some, frankly, look completely un-French. As for me, such a fortress would look much more appropriate on the opposite coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

And everyone knows some. Meet the Chateau d'If. Built on the Frioul Islands a mile from Marseille, it became the place of imprisonment of the Iron Mask (who actually never was there) and Edmond Dantes (who actually never existed) - and the glory of these prisoners still attracts crowds to the Chateau d'If tourists.

However, it is not necessary to go to the castle itself if you have little time. You can admire from the shore, since the castle is perfectly visible from here, and you will have time to capture other sights.

For example, the very Cathedral of Notre Dame de la Garde. It is built on a high hill, it will be difficult to get to it on foot, but there is, after all, public transport, tourist buses and the famous Marseille taxi. A ticket for these tourist buses, as expected, is valid all day, and you can get off and on as much as you like, so this is one of the most convenient and versatile ways to explore Marseille in one day.

For me, however, the main attraction of Marseille is the city itself. Tired of the heaps of thousands of anthills, the eye rests, looking at small houses crowding together, and the sea, which can be seen from almost anywhere, inspires peace and tranquility.

So go to Marseille and don't be afraid of anything. Of course, it can be unsafe on the outskirts, but this can be said about any city in the world - but Old Marseille definitely deserves attention.