Travels with Terri

After a rocky night at sea, we woke to a beautiful sunny day in Marseille, France. Founded around 600 BC by Greek settlers from Phocaea, Marseille is the oldest city in France. It is also the second largest in population after Paris. With over three hundred days of sunshine per year, 35 miles (57 kilometers) of coastline, and the largest port in France, it’s an ideal spot for tourists. Rather than taking a group tour with Celebrity, we opted for a private tour with a local Tuk Tuk Company. Rick and I have taken Tuk Tuk tours in Lisbon and Edinburgh and think they are a great way to see a city up close and personal.

We met our Tuk Tuk guide Nicolas at the Vieux Port (Old Port) and set out for our two-hour tour of the city. Our first stop was the Vallon des Auffes, a small Provençal fishing village nestled between two cliffs facing the sea. Nicolas told us that in the 19th century rope manufacturers settled here and that the word Auffes comes from auffo in Provençal, a granulate used to make ropes.

As we made our way uphill, Nicolas told us about our next stop, Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde. Its name means Our Lady of the Guard, but residents know it as la Bonne Mère (the Good Mother in French). Built on the foundations of an ancient fort, it is situated on a limestone outcropping 489 feet (149 meters) high. Construction of the basilica began in 1853 and lasted for over forty years. The original plans were for an enlargement of a medieval chapel. Architect Henri-Jacques Espérandieu was hired after the chaplain Father Bernard requested an entirely new structure. The completed Basilica consists of a lower church or crypt in the Romanesque style, and an upper church of Neo-Byzantine style decorated with mosaics. The square bell tower is 135 feet (41 meters) tall and is topped with 41 feet (12.5 meters) tall belfry. The belfry supports a 37 feet (11.2 meters) tall statue of statue of the Madonna and Child, made of copper gilded with gold leaf.

One of the many things I love about private tours is being able to spend time visiting both famous and off-the-beaten track sights. Nicolas gave us ample time to tour Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde before departing for our next destination. With its stunning architecture, sweeping views, and intricately carved details, it’s easy to understand why la Bonne Mère is the most visited sight in Marseille.

The final stop of our tour was the Le Panier neighborhood. French for basket, Le Panier is the oldest district of Marseille and is situated on a hill in the center of the city. The area offers numerous café-lined squares, bistros, shops, art galleries, and cultural sights. With abundant street art, stairs, and terraces draped with colorful plants, Le Panier reminds me quite a bit of the Montmartre district in Paris. We enjoyed drinks at an outdoor café before we said our goodbyes and thanks to Nicolas for his wonderful tour!

In my next blog, I’ll re-cap our cruise on Celebrity Reflection and offer some insight into the pros and cons of cruising on a large ship. Stay tuned!

Cover Photo: Le Petit Nice Passedat is a three Michelin star restaurant that was featured in Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown