Photos of Marseille, France

I hope by now you can tell how uniquely different each city is from one another.  Marseille (pronounced – Mar-say) was one of my favorite cities and you’ll see why, this post is loaded with photos with lot of adventures – including fish eating my feet.  Just wait.

About Marseille

Marseille is a port city, France’s oldest major city.  The harbor is full of fishing boats, and on Sundays the port area is filled with an arts and crafts market – which is perfect to visit since most stores are closed on Sundays (customary). This city has quite a long history, as people have lived here for over 26 centuries. The sights of the city are breathtaking and worth the hike.  To plan your trip, visit the city of Marseille site here.

We had one heck of a ride into Marseille, due to a subway and bus ride (not recommended) – take a taxi straight to your hotel.  But, we came out of the subway with happy faces, looked up at the reflective ceiling above, and took a pic.  I love our little blogger travel family. Crystal (mommy), Vivienne (travel photog), Amanda (fitness + health), Kristen (travel vlogger).

Day 1 – The View, Soap Making + Fish Pedi

To see an amazing view of the harbor, check out Le Palais du Pharo.  It’s up on a hill, not much to see other than well, a pretty spectacular view of the old port.

We headed down along the port into the old city.

Here is La Vieille Charité which is just lovely to take photos, and a little restaurant is in there as well.

Darling, right?

This is the Marseille Cathedral, look at those pretty stripes, such a fashionable little church.

Then we headed to the Marseille éternelle museum which will forever be full of giggles in my memory for non artwork related reasons.

Then off to the fairly new MuCem Museum.

Just walking around outside is worth it.

And then I saw a Fish Spa!

I mean, the 15 euros for 15 minutes was worth every euro it just for the photos.

But first, gotta clean my feet.  I figured the fish couldn’t be that picky, but maybe they are.

It felt like bubbles. I’m not ticklish so it worked out just fine.  But, maybe you want to see a video?

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Then after we posted the photos on social media we started getting feedback on how that wasn’t a good idea, and we decided oh well, if we have a fish food disease we have a pretty cool souvenir – and story.

Here are French children lined up ready to play games.  I had to throw in French children because that sounds so much cooler than just children.  Fries aren’t the same, but French fries, well, I’m hungry, how about you?  See?

Had a little lunch with a great view at the Regard Cafe, I just ate a little salad in a jar but I of course had to end the meal with an espresso.

We then learned how to make our own famous Marseille soap at Grande Savonnerie made with just sodium, water, and olive oil.  Who knew I’d be so enthusiastic about making soap?

Then it was dinner time at the Rowing Club, a place with another gorgeous view of the harbor.

I tell you I attract photo bombers.

I ate a lot of lamb while in France, my meat of choice.  The French really do get me – chocolate croissants, lamb, duck, I mean let’s just get married France!

Us, posing with our French dessert.  This was a rose macaroon.  Some of the bloggers thought it tasted like they were eating perfume, ha!  I actually thought it was so interesting I enjoyed eating it.

Day 2 – Bus Tour, Cathedral

I wish my neighborhood just had a gorgeous two-story carousel, don’t you? Sheesh my city isn’t quite as charming as you, Marseille.

We hopped on a bus and got a tour of beaches – Marseille actually has one sandy beach (imported sand).

Another great view of the city is from the top of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde.  But wait, look at these stairs.  Even the little boy is contemplating if he wants to go up or not.  I’m with you kid, but out of peer pressure and not wanting to be ashamed, I’m going to do it!

Not gonna lie, I didn’t make it to the top of the actual Notre Dame, I rested at the base and took in this view.

Then back on the bus and check out this amazing amazing AMAZING place – Palais Longchamp, known for its impressive fountains and is a natural history and fine arts museum.

Time to eat again in this lovely open air restaurant called Mathazar, owned by chef Michel Portos, a former 2 Michelin stars chef.

And, this is what 7 p.m. looks like, the sun stays up past 9 a.m.  It seriously looks like it’s 4 p.m.

A walk back across the harbor, some adorable little French boys sat at the dock and said, “Hello.”  I responded, “Hello.”  And trying in an American accent said, “Hello,” in return.  I was horrified at how they think we sound.  I shook my head and grinned.

Day 3 – At Sea!

Like my hat?  It was the best price, free.  We needed some protection since being in the sun all day was taking a toll on some of us.  I just put it on because a free hat is just fantastic – courtesy of some alcohol company, this was a promotional hat but J.Crew sells one just like it here.

When you spend quite a bit of time in a country and experience nearly everything it has to offer, you really truly fall in love with it.  I adore this photo, oh that sailboat, and that flag.

A little lunch in the park because our not-so-awesome-four-star-hotel-which-should-be-a-two-and-will-not-be-named wouldn’t let us bring outside food to eat in there.  “That is not possible,” is a very often used phrase that is quite annoying. Tscha! In America everything is possible!

Anyway, this park across the street was quiet and cute.  Lunch was from Green Bear Coffee.

We hopped on the city bus to the train station.  Crystal dropped her bag and the doors closed and we watched as the rest of our crew scratched their heads wondering why the bus took off with us still on it.  We both were screaming, laughing and almost crying.  The bus thankfully just had one more stop which was closer to the train station and we decided – we have no time, let’s just get to the train.  Neither of us spoke French but managed to get help and find it.  I snapped a quick pic of our crazy urgency.

Then I filmed a video to explain the chaos of being separated from our group and what on Earth we would do next without them since we couldn’t find them. I guess we’ll just hang in first class by ourselves…to be continued…

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See you in Carcassonne tomorrow – a medieval city!

Have you seen my 3 minute video tour of France?  Click here.

Equipment used: Sony NEX-5R (c/o), 50mm f1/.8, 16mm f/2.8 + 18-55mm (c/o), 18-105mm f/4 (c/o)

Diana Elizabeth and Crystal had an enjoyable time in first class with old French men who were adorable – apparently they weren’t assigned to the car they were in, but the others who were in the different car and so, they got lucky.  We thought they knew each other but in fact, they didn’t but were friendly.  They were as sweet as can be.

Related posts:

• Fashion in France
• Montpellier
• Canal du Midi on Le Boat in France
• Carcassonne
• Marseille
• Aix-en-Provence
• Nice
• Video Tour of the South of France