Day 96: Marseille, France

Off on our excursion

Well this isn't a sight you see everyday, guess it is Sumo moving

Porte d'Aix

Porte d'Aix (also known as the Porte Royale) is a triumphal arch in Marseille, in the south of France, marking the old entry point to the city on the road from Aix-en-Provence.[1] The classical design by Michel-Robert Penchaud was inspired by the triumphal arches of the Roman Empire. The Porte d’Aix was initially conceived in 1784 to honour Louis XVI and to commemorate the Peace of Paris (1783) that ended the American Revolutionary War. Following the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy in 1814–15, the project was resumed in 1823, now to commemorate French victories in the Spanish Expedition, notably at the Battle of Trocadero, August 31, 1823. It was eventually completed in 1839, with a more general theme of victory.[2]  [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porte_d%27Aix]  This is similar to Paris's Arc de Triomphe.

Notre-Dame de la Garde 

Notre-Dame de la Garde (literally: Our Lady of the Guard), known to local citizens as la Bonne Mère (French for 'the Good Mother'), is a Catholic basilica in Marseille, France, and the city's best-known symbol. The site of a popular Assumption Day pilgrimage, it was[when?] the most visited site in Marseille.[1] 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. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notre-Dame_de_la_Garde]

Display of Military ribbons and insignias

This was a seafaring community and viewed this church on the hill as Mary looking over them and keeping them safe. They had many different boats hanging by strings throughout the church.  They even had one representing the new technology of an airplane!

Boat in the mosaic above the alter

Stations of the Cross in the curb

Toni and our tour guide (a flirt)

We stayed in town instead of taking the tour bus back to the ship

Their fish market was right on the water with the boats bringing in the fish right behind the stands.

They had a large mirror covered area

Here we are twice

They are famous for their soap that is 72% Olive Oil. They say you can use it for any cleaning, even clothes. They had many scents.

They had cicada shaped soaps and they ceramic ones that you could hang on your wall and are motion activated to chirp like a cicada. 

Lunch and Rob finally found Fried Smelts

They were smaller than his family would have on Christmas Eve but he still enjoyed them

Oysters

You can order fish that came straight off the boat just feet from the marina

Interesting painting in the restaurant 

Merry go Round in the square

Stopped for some French Crepes and a Cappuccino

We got to watch some artists/dancers in the street

Back to the boat and the Princess Seawitch

A great day in Marseille

Sunset taken through our balcony door that created interesting circles around the sun

The waves from our ship with the sunset