Arriving in Marseilles

We plan a weekend in Marseilles, thinking of exploring the town, taking a boat trip out to the wild and rugged beaches and fjords of the calanques, and, of course, bouillabaise.  Arriving in Marseille, we walk along the harbor to our hotel on the sea.

Along the harbor in Marseille

There is a festival going on that we don't understand, but that is facinating for the great costumes and the tall characters that lead the event.

Festival in the square at the harbor

We stop to admire the many varieties of fishing  and pleasure boats in the harbor along the way.

Ships in the harbor

The clouds come and go, occastionally giving us great views of the sky and the sea.

Views of sky and sea

Our hotel room is right on the water, looking out at all this scenery!

Balcony of our hotel room

We drop off our luggage and hike up to the Basilica Notre-Dame de la Garde, the city's best known symbol, built on the foundations of an ancient fort at the highest natural point in Marselle, 149 meters (489 feet) up from our room on the sea.

The wander through the streets toward the cathedral is circuitous and confusing, but as long as we keep going up, we seem to be heading in the right direction.  Every now and then, we get a glimpse of the cathedral to let us know that we are still heading the right way.  Finally, we break out of the city streets and find a path heading the final stretch of up to the cathedral.

Final stretch

Views across Marseille

Inside the cathedral

As we descend from the cathedral, we get more great views of the monument and the city.

Descending from the cathedral

Views on the way down

Wandering down into the city, we see the tile roofs from above, then, soon, we return to the harbor.

Descending into the city

Back at the harbor

What a great way to start our weekend in Marseilles!