Marseille is the second largest city in France after Paris and the oldest, founded sometime between 500 and 400 B.C. by the Greeks. The city is a melting pot, and race is not seen because there are so many.
While beautiful, Marseille is also notorious for being a little dangerous. You have to watch your bags really carefully because people will ride by on their bikes and snatch your purse as they pass you.
Savon de Marseille, or soap of Marseille, is traditionally made with salt water from the Mediterranean and olive oil. The French believe it can do anything, even cure muscle cramps. Our dean, Leigh Smith, who took us on the trip yesterday, told us that one time, when he had cramps in his legs, he hung the soap by the end of his bed and the cramps went away. Thus giving us confirmation that this was not simply an old wives tale.
After arriving in Marseille we walked around a little and saw the new Museum of Mediterranean Culture, we could only see it from the outside because it is not completely finished. The building is quite modern and simple, especially compared to the cathedral down the street. This road is also the location of the scene from the movie Love Actually when Jamie drops Aureila off before going to the airport. Just a little fun fact for you!
We took a little tour train, up to Notre Dame de la Garde, a beautiful cathedral the over looks all of Marseille. The view was absolutely stunning. You are able to see the whole of the city, the harbor and the Château d’If, well known for being a location in Alexandre Dumas’s novel, The Le Comte de Monte Cristo.
While beautiful, Marseille is also notorious for being a little dangerous. You have to watch your bags really carefully because people will ride by on their bikes and snatch your purse as they pass you.
Savon de Marseille, or soap of Marseille, is traditionally made with salt water from the Mediterranean and olive oil. The French believe it can do anything, even cure muscle cramps. Our dean, Leigh Smith, who took us on the trip yesterday, told us that one time, when he had cramps in his legs, he hung the soap by the end of his bed and the cramps went away. Thus giving us confirmation that this was not simply an old wives tale.
After arriving in Marseille we walked around a little and saw the new Museum of Mediterranean Culture, we could only see it from the outside because it is not completely finished. The building is quite modern and simple, especially compared to the cathedral down the street. This road is also the location of the scene from the movie Love Actually when Jamie drops Aureila off before going to the airport. Just a little fun fact for you!
We took a little tour train, up to Notre Dame de la Garde, a beautiful cathedral the over looks all of Marseille. The view was absolutely stunning. You are able to see the whole of the city, the harbor and the Château d’If, well known for being a location in Alexandre Dumas’s novel, The Le Comte de Monte Cristo.