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😉 Greetings to regular readers and visitors of the site! Friends, I have heard and read a lot about Marcel. Finally, I was lucky enough to visit this romantic city while traveling through the Mediterranean countries. Now I can advise what to see in Marseille.
If you get from Paris, the high-speed train will take you to Marseille in just three hours.
A bit of history. Marseille is a city in the southeast of France in the Provence region, the largest port in the country and the entire Mediterranean. The city was founded by the Phoceans, Greeks from Asia Minor around 600 BC. Then it was called Massalia.
During the years of the French Revolution, Marseille supported the republicans, and the French anthem became known as the Marseillaise.
View of Marseille from the highest point of the city.
When you wander through the narrow streets of this city, you don’t want to believe that you are living in an age of high technology. Everything here is saturated with antiquity, sun and sea. Besides the rich cultural heritage, there are many good beaches here. They are not as chic as on the Cote d’Azur, but no less picturesque.
The coastline of the coast is intricately indented by rocky coves that look like fjords. There are good conditions for diving and sailing.
Attractions in Marseille
The main attraction of Marseille is the Basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde (the highest point in the city is 154 meters above sea level).
Basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde
The neo-Byzantine cathedral was built in 1853-1864. On the site of an old 11th century chapel, which for centuries blessed sailors for sailing. The basilica is crowned with an XNUMX-meter statue of the Virgin Mary and Child, which is visible from anywhere in the city.
Abbey of Saint-Victor
Abbey of Saint-Victor
This monastery in Marseilles was founded by the Monk John Cassian in the XNUMXth century near the graves of the Massali martyrs.
Cathedral of Sainte-Marie-Major
Cathedral of Sainte-Marie-Major
This is a Roman Catholic church, one of the national monuments of France. The cathedral was founded in the 1852th century. In the second half of the 1874th century, the cathedral was completely destroyed. Rebuilt in XNUMX-XNUMX in the Romano-Byzantine style. An altar and a choir section have been preserved from the ancient cathedral.
The walls and vaults of the cathedral are tiled with marble and decorated with magnificent Venetian mosaics.
Longchamp Palace
Longchamp Palace is a memorial complex praising water. It was her that the inhabitants of Marseille lacked for many centuries. In 1829, the construction of the Marseille Canal was completed, through which water entered the city.
Longchamp Palace
In 1839, the Duke of Orleans laid the foundation stone for the palace. However, only in 1862 its full-fledged construction began (architect-Henri-Jacques Esperandier).
A separate attraction in Longchamp is the 10-meter stone fountain created by Jules Cavelier. It depicts three women in a chariot. They are followed by two children holding bunches and ears of corn in their hands. The composition embodies generosity, fertility and love for the land.
Old port
The attraction of Marseille is the Old Port in the bay, where the first settlement was formed. In the 1512th century, the commercial shipping service was moved to new docks, but the old port remained the center of city life. The port was built in 1855. In XNUMX it was expanded.
Old port of Marseille
There are many boats, masts, fishermen, restaurants – all this attracts tourists and locals.
If Castle
What to see in Marseille? Of course, the island of If in the Friul Archipelago. On the island is the Château d’If, one of the most visited places in Marseille. The distance from the coast to the castle is about one nautical mile.
The construction of the castle took place in 1524-1531 by order of King Francis I. Later, the fort served as a prison for criminals who pose a particular danger to the state. The castle was opened for tourists in 1890.
Chateau d’If, top view
The Chateau d’If gained fame after the publication of the novel by Alexandre Dumas “The Count of Monte Cristo”. Despite the fact that the plot is fictional, crowds of tourists dream of getting into the prisoner’s cell.
It is not enough to spend a week in Marseille, it is not enough to visit a month. This city with cozy streets, old cobblestones, friendly people and Byzantine architecture will never get tired of a true travel lover.
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