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Bonjour Marseille

The sky is blue blue blue and the tiny bit of water I can see in the vieux port is sparklinglike a fairy princess's tiara. A glass of local while wine and a salad nicoise complete the picture. Can it get better than this?

Thia morning I asked the woman at reception for a good chocolatier and she got quite animated and recommended two, both very close to the hotel so that will be my dessert. I guess it can get better

I arrived yesterday morning after half a nights sleep. It took 30 seconds to go through passport control and then 30 minutes before the luggage appeared. Then there was a ligjam going through customs. They were checking returning citizens and asking lots of questions, sending most for additional screening. I was let through without a comment.

I'm on my 3rd meal here. Every waiter brings a cold bottle or pitcher of tap water. Unlike Paris or at least my experience there, everyone here axssumes you speak French. Though most people I've encountered speak at least some English I'm impressing myself with how well (I think) I'm managing in broken French.

I spent the morning Exploring Le Panier. The hilly and oldest part of the city. It is picturesque with lots of colorful doors graffiti and Lott's of imagination. I followed a frommer,s walking tour that took me up and down a lot. My phone's healthometer says only 2000 steps but nearly 800 calories. How does it know? I earned lunch but not the chocolates to come more later. It's time to walk again.

Posted by
776 posts

Enjoy one of my favorite cities right up there with Palermo, Trieste and Naples

Posted by
3281 posts

I love Marseille! Travelers should open their minds to discover how unique “The Bronx of France” is. Underrated, mocked, criticized, but oh so wonderful.

Posted by
1384 posts

One of my favorite cities in France!!!! Make sure you check on the Les regardes de Provence museum. Their little video on the plague was very well done. The MUCEM is nice, too, and the restaurant on top is worth it for a splurge and view.

Posted by
15788 posts

It got so much better. I just came back from a super-windy hour at the basikica with spectacular views of the city. I have definitely experienced Le Mistral today. Now I'm having a pint of Magner' s at O'Malley"s Irish pub - no judging pls.

Posted by
5294 posts

Hi Chani!
Great to hear that you’re enjoying Marseille.
Enjoy the chocolate, and don’t worry so much, as I’m sure you’re probably walking more that whatever your phone says😉 😊

Posted by
6532 posts

Keep the comments coming, Chani and others. We'll be there in a few months, and are open to suggestions.

Posted by
14745 posts

Glad you are having a great time!!

Posted by
32353 posts

Chani,

It's great to hear that you're having such a wonderful time in Marseilles. I've haven't been there yet, but I've heard that it's becoming a very popular destination.

Next time you're in the Irish Bar, have a pint for me!

Posted by
15788 posts

Ken - I went past an Irish pub yesterday while exploring the Vieille Ville of Nice, and they're having live music on Sunday in honor of St Pat, so if I go, one pint will definitely be raised to you. I rode the tram yesterday afternoon and evening, along with half of Nice - they seem to be pretty frequent, but not enough to handle the demand (sardine tin crowded) . . . I don't want to think what it must be like when there are hordes of tourists here in addition to the locals.

The typos in my posts above are annoying me on re-reading my comments. Blame the smartphone. grrrrr It's so much easier with a proper keyboard, as I write now from my hotel room, slowly coming to life on what appears to be a partly sunny day. Decisions, decisions, decisions .... west to Antibes or east to Menton . . . being a tourist isn't as easy you think it's going to be :-)

Posted by
15788 posts

Sheesh I just picked out a reply and the damn phone wouldn't let me get to the"add reply" button.

I'm in ville-franche-sur-mer and it's beautiful.
I'm almost grateful it's alittle cloudy. If it were sunny I think it would be so gorgeous it would break my heart.

Although it looks like it may be clearing, so I may have to retrace my steps and take a couple hundred more pix

Posted by
713 posts

I hope the weather does clear for you -- that is the best way to enjoy those walks. The Irish pub likely was Ma Nolan's, sort of an anglophone/tourist institution. Should be lively this weekend. The trams are very popular, especially with low cost local passes and the carnet of 10 rides for 10E.

Posted by
15788 posts

Bonjour Menton. I'm sitting on the Promenade watching the azure sea. Not a cloud in the sky and inertia has bound me ro this place,,,, that and the slow but steady effect of an Aperol Spritz. There's really no earthly reason to stir. Life is perfect. I'm even enamored of the occasional gull gliding overhead and I can hear the sound of the surf in spite of the incessant traffic flowing past.

I had my very first socca. I didn't know what to expect but since it's made with garbanzos I knew it would be good. And it's a perfect accompaniment to a Spritz.

The Jean Cocteau museum is closed. They had a lot of flood damage and think it will be a year before they can reopen. It's just as well for me. The last thing I want to do today is spend time indoors.

Posted by
6532 posts

Has anyone ever heard Chani this mellow???

Posted by
2301 posts

Sorry to hear about the museum, but I'm glad you made it to Menton. On a short visit, it seemed to me like a place I'd enjoying spending time.

Posted by
755 posts

Live from the Côte d’Azur! What a great idea. This is wonderful, thank you for sharing, and hoping for more chapters! Your writing conveys a real sense of place.

Posted by
10344 posts

Chani: It's good to hear from you on your trip!
Lucky you to live in Israel where European destinations are closer than from the US!
I assume this is not a first visit for you to the south of France?

I've noticed that in some parts of France, unlike some other Europeans, the locals don't seem to be too impressed by tourist attempts at French. Maybe in the "Provinces" they're more appreciative of attempts? Just as long as you do the "bonjour madame/monsieur" at the beginning of every conversation.