Marseille: the city that guards the secrets of Count of Monte Cristo
The biggest French and Mediterranean Sea harbour city Marseille is a great holiday destination choice. Marseille has an aura of stylish and cosy Provence about it, filled with ancient buildings, sharp inclines, mountains, and golden beaches. Here you will instantly feel the perfect holiday spirit that will lead you further to find intriguing history and art secrets.
How to travel?
Marseille welcomes its guests in the international Provence airport, located 27 kilometres from the city centre. You can cross that distance by using a bus or a train. The most comfortable way to reach any sightseeing objects of Marseille is to use modern metro, subway, bikes, or taxis.
What to taste?
The dreamy French harbour city is ready to offer you a taste of delicious local cuisine. The most famous Marseille kitchen masterpiece is the double dish of fish soup and the fish that the soup has been made from; bouillabaisse. This dish is often served with an additional toast covered with Aioli mayonnaise.
Definitely try some daube, or Provence beef stew, and order a luxurious omelette with truffles, or the legendary roasted vegetable dish of ratatouille. For dessert, choose boat-shaped cookies with orange blossoms navette de Marseille, nougat sweets, or the tarte Tropozienne pie. Definitely try the famous local anise liqueur, pastis.
What to see?
If you are interested in the ancient history of Marseille, visit the Old Port; its entire shore is ideal for romantic walks. In the fish market, you will find a good idea for your lunch. Go south, and you will see the breathtakingly gorgeous Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica. Its tower is ideal for observing the entire shore from a bird’s view.
Also worth paying attention is the ancient Abbey of St. Victor, the former alms house of La Vielle Charite, now functioning as an Egypt relicts’ museum. Head over to the Museum of Roman Docks, which used to serve as a warehouse to store grain, oil, and wine. Visits to other museums, like the Museums of Old Marseille, Fashion, and Songs, will also be engaging and interesting.
Marseille’s charm is also influenced by yet another famous object, Château d'If that was once a prison. A. Dumas told the world in his novel “The Count of Monte Cristo” that this exact location was where the main character was imprisoned. Visit the castle, and decide for yourself, whether that’s true or not.
What to do?
Marseille shores are full of small inlets that the locals usually call fjords. You can have a closer look at those if you choose to go on a boat tour. The amazing Borely Park with a botanical garden is a perfect place for a nice, calming walk.
Marseille is also famous for its carnivals, jazz and urban festivals, the Mediterranean Sea International Nautical week, and fairs. These events are ideal places for immersing yourself into the uniqueness of the city, as well as for buying some beautiful souvenirs. City outskirts are also full of entertainment possibilities that add up to the charm or Provence.
