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Marseille
“I am hard at it, painting with the enthusiasm
of a Marseillais eating bouillabaisse.”
~ Vincent van Gogh, in a letter to his brother Theo, 1888
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Marseille is an ancient, vibrant city, centered around a 26-century-old port. Started by the Phoenician around 600 BC (ignoring the Ligurians who were already here), taken over by the Greeks in 540 BC, and conquered by the Romans two thousand years ago, Marseille is the second-largest city in France, with its metro and Parisian-style division into
“arrondissements.”
Although part of Provence, Marseille has a soul all its own. Once notorious for its assorted mischief, Marseille has recently experienced a cultural renaissance, establishing it as a
Méditerranean capital of film, fashion, music, literature, soap fabrication, and most assuredly, cuisine. From the city's beloved, world-famous bouillabaisse to enticing émigré flavors to venerable street treats to classic and contemporary Provençal bistro fare, this culinary crossroads, the Paris of Provence, offers an exciting array of tempting foods that, while global in scope, have a folksy, made-in-Marseille personality.
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The famous fish market at the Old Port
Marseille's scenic coastal route “La Corniche”
“La Corniche” & the rustic inlet of Vallon des Auffes ~ a charming little fishing port
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Visit Villa in Marseille for more descriptions & photos of our accommodations.
Click here for
“10 days in Provence ” Daily Itinerary.
Back to Provence 2008 homepage.
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