Calanques National Park is a natural heritage that stretches over an area of 520 square kilometers (201 square miles). A part of the park is the Massif des Calanques that covers not one but three towns namely La Ciotat, Marseille and Cassis. Some of the park's best features include Cosquer Cave, Calanque de Morgiou, Calanque de Sugiton, Calanque de Sormiou, Calanque de Port-Miou and many more.
Topped by a monumental gilded bronze statue of the Virgin and Child-- added in 1870-- Marseille's distinctive basilica dominates the city from its highest point of 154 meters (505 feet). It was 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. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the Notre Dame de la Garde Basilica was built on the site of the first chapel erected here in 1214. Today's basilica, designed by Espérandieu, formed part of major building work undertaken during the Second Empire and was consecrated in 1864.
The history of the port goes back as far as 600BCE, with the arrival of sailors from Phocaea, a Greek city in Asia Minor. France's oldest city came into being following the union of one of their leaders, Protis, with Gyptis, princess of the Ligurian people already settled in the region, whose territory in ancient times stretched right along the Mediterranean coast. The area, dappled with boutiques and historic landmarks, has since grown into a flourishing port and tourist site. With yachts and fishing boats bobbing by the side, the port beautifully captures the vibrancy of Marseille at the early morning fish market. Tourists and locals are found frequenting the numerous cafés facing the port which is an ideal spot to people watch as the dusk paints the whitewashed port environs in shades of tangerine. With its beauty recorded in several literary works, the port is a timelessly graceful relic of Marseille.
The Roman-Byzantine Marseille Cathedral was built in the middle of the 19th Century by Léon Vaudoyer, on the remains of the ancient Roman-Provençal 'Major' building which dates back to the 12th Century. With a capacity of 3000, it is the largest cathedral in France since the Middle Ages. The marble slabs, impressive porphyry columns and mosaics reflect the cathedral's true splendor, complemented by magnificent altars from the 12th and 15th Centuries and earthenware from the Della Robbia workshop are worth seeing.
Previously known as Le Balthazar, Le Molotov is a unique venue quite unlike its competitors. Musicians from the region, as well as from all over the world, bring a wide variety of styles and cultures. Le Molotov is not partial to any particular musical genre; instead, you can enjoy anything from reggae and rock to jazz and hip hop at this venue. Famous bands like Burning Streets and The Aggrolites have performed here in the past.
One of the city's oldest districts, the Panier (literally translated meaning "basket") is where the ancient Phocaeans first settled and founded the city of Massilia. Using the 18th-century Hôtel-Dieu and Notre Dame des Accoules church bell tower (17th-19th century) as reference points, these lead to the foot of Montée des Accoules - a series of steep flights of steps typical of old Marseilles - which lead right to the heart of the district and pedestrians' paradise. Once home to the ancient city's Greek agora (a public open space used for assemblies and markets), Place de Lenche still bustles with life and has its own market, restaurants and theater. At the summit of the old town is Place des Moulins, which in the 16th Century lived up to its name with no less than fifteen flour mills. These days its fountain and school help maintain its village square's tranquility and charm.
Mont Puget is a magnificent mountain situated in the charming city of Marseille in France. This rugged beauty is one of the most prominent landmarks of Massif des Calanques, which stretches from Marseille to Cassis. It has a height of 563 meters (1,847 feet), and derives its name from Pierre Puget, who was a renowned French painter, sculptor and architect. The summit of the mountain is shrouded with limestone, and is known to provide sweeping panoramic views of the neighboring areas.
Calanques National Park is a natural heritage that stretches over an area of 520 square kilometers (201 square miles). A part of the park is the Massif des Calanques that covers not one but three towns namely La Ciotat, Marseille and Cassis. Some of the park's best features include Cosquer Cave, Calanque de Morgiou, Calanque de Sugiton, Calanque de Sormiou, Calanque de Port-Miou and many more.
This astonishing and beautiful mountain rises up outside the village of Tholonet when one goes towards the Côte d'Azur. Most famously it appears in the paintings of Cézanne. The mountain dominates the Aix countryside, a great limestone barrier that refracts the light of the setting sun and perfumes the air with the scents from its wild scrubland and whose way-marked footpaths attract walkers from all over the world who come to marvel at the views over the Rhône and the Esterel.
Situated in a tile factory on the southern ring-road of Aix-en-Provence, this museum is a moving testament to this former WWII transit and deportation camp. The history of the camps is brought to life by instructional posters and the frescoes made by the prisoners showing the daily atrocities of internment. Admission is free.
Whether you are looking for a musical score (jazz, classical, variety), a biography of your favorite jazz musician or music manuals, this is the place where you will find it all. Librairie Musicale Internationale is small, but well-stocked and offers a large selection of books designed to appeal to all music lovers.
Calanque de Sormiou is a protected area which is frequented by hikers and climbers who come from all over France to experience and enjoy such exquisite surroundings. The panoramic view, which can be reached by following the Douane path, is well worth the several hour walk, offering an unrivaled picture of the Rioul Islands archipelago and the resplendent and ever-changing tones of sea ranging from turquoise to deep dark blue. In summer, access by car is restricted to minimize risk of forest fires. Take the autoroute D908 to head to Sormiou.