As I prepare for my big “60” birthday celebration which I hope will never end, I find myself digging deep into France I have never explored. Friends coming to celebrate my birthday in Paris were looking for a 3 day excursion possibly by water. As I started researching, I came across Marseille. I am so intrigued and desperately to want to spend some time there. It is a port city located in the southern part of France. The core of the city is the Vieux-Port (Old Port), where fishmongers sell their catch of the day. Marseille was originally founded 600 BC as a Greek colony of Massalia and populated by settlers from Turkey. Click for a little more history from Wikipedia.
Today, there are so many modern chefs who write about the multicultural cuisine one can explore in Marseille. I so look forward to visiting!
Le MUCEM de Marseille
Marseille is a main destination for Air Corsica with direct flights throughout the year from the four Corsican airports Ajaccio, Bastia, Calvi and Figari. With various flight rotation in the summer as in the winter, you have many opportunity to discover Marseille and its relevant museum.
The Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilization is an architectural jewel located at the entrance to the port between sky and sea. This wonderful building facing the open sea is covered with concrete lace.
As the first large national museum dedicated to the Mediterranean civilizations, it aims at showing the origins of this civilization basin that has been so rich and active, the opening dates back to June 2013.
Situated at the entrance of the harbor, location J4 in the Saint Jean fort, a highly symbolic place of the current evolution of the city and of its history, the museum extends over about 45000 square meters, divided into three places. Indeed, the different museum collections are preserved at once at la Belle de Mai and at the same time at the Centre de Conservation et de Ressources.
For your cultural outings with your family, the MUCEM offers you, for kids, an electronic tablet equipped with edutainment computer application « Kidouki » inviting young and old alike on a treasure hunt in the different rooms.
In both summer and winter, fly away with Air Corsica to a cultural destination with your family and discover Marseille and its Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilization.
Cassis – Marseille
Cassis is known for its pristine beaches, running trails and vineyards. Here is a article about the upcoming 20 KM in October, 2019.
Notre-Dame de la Garde (literally: Our Lady of the Guard) is a Catholic basilica in Marseille, France, and the city’s best-known symbol. The site of a popular Assumption Day pilgrimage, it was the most visited site in Marseille. It was built on the foundations of an ancient fort at the highest natural point in Marseille, a 149 m (489 ft) limestone outcropping on the south side of the Old Port of Marseille.
Construction of the basilica began in 1852 and lasted for 21 years. It was originally an enlargement of a medieval chapel, but was transformed into a new structure at the request of Father Bernard, the chaplain. The plans were made and developed by the architect Henri-Jacques Espérandieu. It was consecrated while still unfinished on June 5, 1864.
The basilica consists of a lower church or crypt in the Romanesque style, carved from the rock, and an upper church of Neo-Byzantine style decorated with mosaics. A square 41 m (135 ft) bell tower topped by a 12.5 m (41 ft) belfry supports a monumental 11.2 m (37 ft) statue of the Madonna and Child made of copper gilded with gold leaf.
An extensive restoration from 2001 to 2008 included work on mosaics damaged by candle smoke, green limestone from Gonfolina which had been corroded by pollution, and stonework that had been hit by bullets during the Liberation of France. The restoration of the mosaics was entrusted to Marseille artist Michel Patrizio, whose workmen were trained in Friuli, north of Venice, Italy. The tiles were supplied by the workshop in Venice which had made the originals.
(From Wikipedia)
The Massif des Calanques is a wild and rugged terrain between the ninth arrondissement of Marseille to the east towards Cassis. The area has been designated a national park. It is known for the beautiful sea, hiking and biking. Definitely for those that are up for a physical adventure.
Marseille Restaurants
Bistrot Parenthese’s owners just opened their second restaurant in New York’s West Village. www.accolade-ny.com
Bistrot Parenthese is a hipster restaurant known for their tapas and warm service.
Four des Navettes is one of the oldest and must go to bakeries in Marseille.
LACAILLE
42 Rue des trois Mages #33 9 86 33 20 33
As I am constantly updating my Paris go-to favorite places I wanted to share with you my most recent loves…this is a work in progress and always evolving with new favorites. I will be frequently adding and deleting after each trip to Paris. AIMER!
RIGHT BANK
(arrondissements – 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
MARAIS
This is where I live when in PARIS!
Le Mary Celeste – late night cocktails, oysters & tapas. I visit this
place a lot ! 1 rue communes (3e).
Le Petit Commines – (I am in love with the chef – Louis Billes).
16 rue commines (3) +33 1 42 74 57 09
PICASSO museum – buy your tickets online
Chez Omar – quintessential Moroccan restaurant 47 rue de Bretagne (3e) +33 9 86 39 91 14
L’As du Fallafel – 32 rue rosiers – casual/togo…great street to walk
Crêperie Little Breizh – best first time crepe experience! 11 rue Grégoire de tours (6e)
Les Foodies – 6 Square Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie (4e)
Au Petit Versailles du Marais – www.vabret-boulangerie-conseils.com
GRAMME – cafe/take out lunch spot – 86 rue des archives (3e)
MERCI – chic boutique…cool cafe and great people watching. 111 Boulevard Beaumarchais (3e)
Oultma, Paris is a cozy and light atmosphere perfect to enjoy breakfast, lunch, and snacks made of organic mediterranean food, juices, delicious cakes, and coffees and tea. 18 rue du Pont aux Choux (12)
HOTELS – not on a tight budget
Hotel du Petit Moulin – 29 rue de Poitou (3e)
Le Chambre du Marais – 87 rue des Archives (3e)
The Hoxton – 30 rue duSentier (2e)
HOTELS – on a budget
Hôtel Bienvenue – 23 rue buffault (9e)
Hotel Paradis Paris – 41 rue des Petites-Écuries (10E).
CANAL ST. MARTIN – KINDA THE EAST VILLAGE VIBE
Grab a picnic lunch and sit by the canal!
House of Three Brothers – 25 rue de Lancry (10e). Cafe/lunch
Du Pain et des Idées – Oldest bakery in paris. 34 rue yves toudic (10e)
Holybelly – 2 locations – one breakfast and a block away their lunch spot. 5 & 19 rue Lucien sampaix (10e)
Bob’s Juice Bar – cafe/lunch – 15 rue Lucien Sampaix (10e)Superbieres – French beers and sandwiches (closed Sun/Mon) 203 rue du Faubourg St. Martin (10e)
Les Résistants – 16 rue du Château-d’eau (10e) seasonal & local
PIGALLE – it is like the Brooklyn of Paris! (9e)
This is where I got my tattoo!
Rose Bakery – Great café! 46 Rue des Martyrs, (9e)
Le Pigalle Hotel – kinda like the ACE…fun bar
VINTAGE – Les Billes de la Gamine – 60 rue d’Orsel (18ème)
PIGALLE boutique – 7 Rue Henry Monnier (9e)
TATTOO artist – www.blacksidestudio.com – Nicolas Sautel – 42 rue Eugene Carrière
Bouillon CHARTIER – Quintessential brasserie – 7 rue du Faubourg Montmartre (9e)
Tartine par Graines de créatures – awesome sandwiches – 54 rue d’Amsterdam (9e)
TSUBAME – Japanese – 40 rue de Douai (9e) +33 1 48 78 06 94
The Hardware Société- breakfast spot – 10 rue Lamarck (18)
OTHER MUST SEE PLACES TO VISIT…
THE LOUVRE – sit at Cafe Marley across from the Louvre
JARDIN des TUILERIES – a must early morning or sunset walk
RODIN MUSEUM
MUSÉE de l’ORANGERIE
MUSIC/CONCERT VENUES – Olympia, Zénith de Paris, AccorHotels Arena at Bercy and the Palais des Congrès de Paris
EIFFEL TOWER AT NIGHT – best place to see the night light show is from Place du Trocadéro. Every hour on the hour the tower is covered in golden lights and sparkles for five minutes.
Café Altro Paradiso – LOVE this restaurant for lunch or dinner as it has beautiful décor bringing in outdoor light and city life.
