Marseille, France

 Marseille, France    April 2-10, 2023

Larry and I parted from the Costa Pacifica on a sunny, windy day. The ship had docked in  Port C where we waited for our host to arrive to pick us up. Larry went out to investigate and found that the only cars coming into this area were taxis so we walked to Port B and found Mohammed there.

We loaded our luggage into his car and started off to the east side of the city for our first views of Marseille from Mohammed's car.

The French Flag

Mohammed took us to his one room  flat.

 Mohammed (speaking only French) and Larry (speaking only English) used google translate and became friends quickly. Mohammed insisted on taking us to a phone dealer to get a French sim card.

Mohammed had taken us to the Shuk (Market) so I meandered around the area taking photos.

Mohammed explained that we had arrived during Ramadad, an Islamic holiday. For a month in the spring, the faithful followers believe that they must only eat after the sun sets at the end of the day.

Mohammed led us into the Metro to purchase bus and subway tickets for using later in the week.

The subway system was very easy to follow, having only three lines to travel on.

The statue of David....displaying a protest flag. The French citizens were  demonstrating  all over the country about the French President presenting legislation to raise the retirement age. 

That evening, we studied the map and made a plan of what to plan to see while in Marseille

The next morning Larry and I walked to the Lidle to get some supplies. What a view along our way!

We stopped to watch the windsurfers scoot across the bay.

We were told by a local that the north wind always comes in quite strong in the spring making it a perfect time to wind surf.

That evening we walked out to the beach to watch the sunset...very lovely way to end the day.

The color of the sunset washed over the white structures on shore.

A wind surfer was getting his last ride in for the day!

The next day Mohammed picked us up to take us to the "Shuk" to meet some of his friends and his wife.

Large paintings graced the walls of  buildings in the area.

We bought some figs...they were delicious.

Olives of all kinds

All kinds of nuts

The smell of fresh baked goods filled the air

Fruits and vegetables came from Egypt, Israel, Tunsia, Algeria, Morocco....exotic places to us.

Special baked goods....just for Ramadad

We enjoyed seeing their method for figuring out the cost per item. 1 item was 1.7 euros....2 items were 3.4 euros...etc

The spices were so fresh smelling.

A Mosque was located between businesses

Mohammed took us to his apartment home on the 7th floor. This is his son, Merouane.

He had lived there for 25 years.  His wife served us hot tea and  pastries. She did not eat or drink with us.

Mohammed, his wife Fadhila, and their youngest son, Merouane.

Mohammed's view of the cruise harbor from his apartment.

Fahladia took Mohammed, Larry and me to the train station. Mohammed was returning to the hospital by train and Larry and I were heading back to our flat by subway.

Another protest sign on the statue

Sending Mohammed off on the train.

The train station

We could see Notre Dame sitting on the hill.

Spring had not arrived fully.

Motorcycles and scooters were used frequently in Marseille....great for easing parking

I enjoy seeing the paintings on the buildings.

Larry and I enjoyed our daily coastal  walks, just down the street from our flat

This is a popular way to ride a passenger on a bike in Marseille.

Fadhila invited us back to their home to have an Algerian traditional dinner one evening. She is originally from Algeria and still has family there.

While Fadhila was cooking, her son, Merouane spoke with us sharing the views of the area.

This young man has one more year of high school. He plans to go to college to be an otolaryngologist. The reason...he has had limited hearing in one  of his ears for his whole life.

We had dinner after 8:00pm, following Ramada tradition. Mohammad's other son, Hamza, who is in his second year of business college joined us. The menu... soup, bricks (chicken and mashed potatoes in a  fried tortilla, fried chicken, salad,  fruit mixture  with honey and spices... fresh pineapple and oranges, and Tiramisu for dessert.  What a spread. Everything was yummy. Fadhila packed up all the left overs and sent them home with us. How thoughtful was that?

We left that evening to a full moon.

Mohammed's son's friend drove us home.

The ne day we rode the bus into the old part of the city.

A ferry from Algeria came in while we were there.

We visited the St. Marie Majeure Cathedral.

An official government building in Marseille

We spotted protester at the government building.

We visited the City Museum and Fort St. Jean.

We walked through Saint Jean Fort.

We had a great view  of Notre Dame from Fort St. Jean.

The marina, Vieux Port,  was very scenic.

The fort dates back to 1253.

We climbed to the top of the tower.

We passed through several dark passages heading down to ground level.

The old port's stone sidewalks had been here for centuries.

We rode the Green train line up to Notre Dame.

Along the way we saw some sights.

Boats are lifted right out of the water and placed on the dock to be worked on...now that is convenient!

Entrance into the Government Building

A special view across the seas

What a gorgeous waterfront local bus ride!

Larry's favorite beach house in Marseille

The views from Notre Dame

One day we walked into the city center. Larry found some fine folks who got our sim card  updated and working perfectly.

On Easter Sunday we rode the bus into Calanoues National Park.

Callelongue Port

We decided to hike up to the mountain top.

The path started out great, but.....

turned into an accident waiting to happen with my  healing ankle so we turned back.

We hiked up the road and spotted some paddle boarders and

some outstanding scenery.

Our last day we rode into the Old Port and just enjoyed a walk through some areas we had not visited, and saw some interesting sites.

Marseille Locks of Love

We took in all the architecture.

During the week in Marseille, spring started to unfold.

We found unique art designs.

We did a bit of people watching.

One gentleman was playing six games of chess at one time. That was very interesting!

People old and young were enjoying a ride on the merry-go-round.

We came across  an archeological dig  that dated the area back to 600BC, founded by the Greeks. This was the beginning of France's oldest city, Marseille. Julius Caesar conquered it in 49 BC...it then became known as Marseille in Latin. The blocks are part of the original city and port fortification. WOW!

  Mohammed and Fahildia drove us Monday evening to a hotel next to the airport because of our 4:30 AM all day flight to Podgorica, Montenegro.

We left Marseille with the memory of two dear new friends and all our adventures bussing through the oldest city in France; Marseille. Life is good!