Marseille, France’s second-largest city, offers a rich blend of history, culture, and coastal beauty. We boarded a bus to see some of the top sites: the Notre-Dame de la Garde, This iconic hilltop basilica offers panoramic views of the city and Mediterranean Sea. Its stunning interior included models of all types of ships and sail boats hanging from the ceiling to bless their way of life on the ocean. Of course we had to climb over 100 stairs to get to it so me and my knee were a little sore at the end of the day, but hey I did it!! We also spent time at Le Vieux-Port (Old Port): The historic heart of Marseille, where locals and tourists mingle by the water. It’s surrounded by lively markets, seafood stands and restaurants. We did a little shopping and enjoyed the beautiful weather. Other sites we learned about on our tour: Château d’If**: Famous from “The Count of Monte Cristo,” this fortress-turned-prison on a small island in the Bay of Marseille, MuCEM (Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations)A modern museum showcasing Mediterranean culture, art, and history, Le Panier, The oldest district in Marseille, with narrow streets, colorful buildings, and a bohemian atmosphere. It’s full of artisan shops, cafes, and vibrant street art, La Canebière Marseille’s main boulevard, lined with shops.
These sites provide a great mix of the city’s maritime heritage, historic landmarks, and natural beauty.
On a side note Phil (drone pilot) got kicked out of the Basillica’s grounds for trying to capture the views and then again in the port trying to grab some great shots of our ship. All is well but he was not happy about all the extra attention.
In the evening the Murphy’s enjoyed dinner with one of our guest chefs while we and the Goads had a lovely dinner up on the 7th deck outdoors. The day was wrapped up with a fun sing along in the Dome parlor.
Tomorrow we are at sea and will enjoy massages and down time!
