Gene & Mohini In France: Trip to Marseille

Nathan and Rachel Ann visited us from Bulgaria during their spring break and we took a trip to Marseille.

Located in southeastern France on the Mediterranean Sea, Marseille is the country's largest port and one of its oldest cities. Vieux Port (Old Port) lies at the heart of Marseille.

Sites Visited

Basilique Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde

Topped by a monumental gilded bronze statue of the Virgin and Child - added in 1870 - Marseilles' distinctive basilica dominates the city from its highest point of 154m. Formerly used as a look-out post and important city fortification (François I had a fort built here in 1524), the hill on which it stands - Colline de la Garde - became a popular place of worship and pilgrimage with the building of this Romano-Byzantine-style basilica. Drove thru the old port.

Ceiling

Abbaye St Victor

Situated on the southern bank of the Vieux-Port above the dry dock, this abbey founded in the 5th century on the tomb of an ancient Christian martyr played an important role in Christianity's development in the Mediterranean between the 11th and 18th centuries. In the 14th century, Pope Urbain V (then installed in Avignon) oversaw its fortification.

Views from St. Victor and NotreDame

Arc de Triomphe de la Porte d’Aix
Modelled on the ancient Arc d'Orange, this monument was constructed by Penchaud in 1823 to commemorate the victories of the French Revolution and the First Empire, and as a tribute to the glory of the Republic, the Consulate, and the Empire.

Chateau d’If et Iles du Frioul in background

Cathédrale de la Major

On a terrace in the northwest of Old Town Marseilles, above the new port installations, stands the mighty Cathédrale de la Major, with two domed towers and a 16m/53ft high dome over the crossing. We walked around it – did not visit inside as it was closed. Saw a beautiful sunset.