2024-06-24 11:57:10
“Marseille has a popularity as one of the harmful cities in France and in Europe. Nevertheless, I started to obtain this data from numerous sources solely after, with enthusiasm and a imaginative and prescient of the azure local weather of the south of France, I purchased tremendous low cost tickets to the capital of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’ area Azur,” writes editor Petra Stěhulová. Is Marseille cool or is it as harmful as they are saying?
As quickly as I advised somebody I used to be going to Marseille, they began sending me photos of burning automobiles or articles about raging drug gang wars. “The town is misplaced,” mentioned one respondent to my colleague after visiting Marseille. The passion for purchasing low cost flights has waned barely. Even the experiences of the overseas media in regards to the second largest metropolis of France didn’t sound very constructive.
However once I bought out of the airport and breathed within the typical scent of the Mediterranean local weather, my worries nearly left me. That is precisely why I flew there. As I boarded a practice headed for the middle of Marseille, I provided to assist an elegant-looking grandmother load her suitcase onto the practice. We went to the identical compartment, so we began speaking in English. I discovered that she additionally lives someplace by the ocean and that she simply returned from a visit to Prague on the identical aircraft. She praised Metropoli to us and mentioned that she would return there someday.
I requested her what locations she had visited and if she had tasted any Czech meals. She mentioned she had goulash and trdelník. I could not forgive myself for remarking that the candy leavened spiral will not be fairly historically Czech. In return, a pleasant girl in her 80s suggested me on a spot that she mentioned was good. Sadly, she pronounced it in French, so I simply nodded my head and thanked her. I can solely say “sure, no and thanks” on this language.
Then I believed to ask in regards to the security of Marseille. The important girl thought for a second, then advised me to observe my purse within the Outdated Port. It occurred to me that I might advise her the identical if she had been going to go to us once more within the Outdated City Sq.. In all probability will not be so scorching with the hazard, I believed.
“Tattooed” Marseille
After exiting the practice station, I used to be lastly in a position to see for myself. Briefly, Marseille is closely “tattooed” with graffiti. Colourful doodles combine with the everyday aesthetics of the south of France, which is most evident within the outdated district of Le Panier.
The Le Panier district in Marseille is among the oldest and liveliest components of town. | Photograph: Petra Stěhulová
The historical past of this a part of town dates again to historic occasions and at the moment it is filled with artwork galleries, small craft retailers and cafes. The Le Panier district can also be house to La Main Cathedral and the close by Mucem museum promenade. Its doorways opened in 2013, when Marseille grew to become the European Capital of Tradition. The museum is devoted to the historical past and tradition of European and Mediterranean civilizations and is architecturally spectacular in its personal proper.
Mucem is related to the Fort Saint-Jean via a contemporary footbridge. Strategically situated on the entrance to the outdated port of Marseille, the Seventeenth-century construction served as town’s army protection for hundreds of years. Right this moment, the fort is an integral a part of the museum and is open to the general public. Thus, guests can stroll by means of the outdated stone corridors of the fortress, admire the medieval structure and benefit from the lovely gardens and panoramic views of the harbor.
The entire size of the port is busy. The scent of the well-known bouillabaisse fish soup wafts from the eating places, alternating with the scent of the much more well-known Marseille cleaning soap retailers. Right here and there the view is blocked by large cruise ships, which aren’t significantly in style with the locals. Within the close by Outdated Port, which was additionally talked about by the grandmother from the practice, there’s a actually massive focus of vacationers.
However when folks get bored with the crowds, they’ll go discover the beauties of Provence or take native public transport to the intensive seashores of Plages du Prado. From them, it’s nearby of the favored Calanques Nationwide Park.
The Calanques cliffs are a pure marvel between Marseille and Cassis. | Photograph: Shutterstock
The parable of hassle round each nook
However let’s return to the middle for a second. The enduring Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde towers over town. The outside of the non secular monument is embellished with a gilded statue of the Virgin Mary with child Jesus, which the locals think about the protector of town. Out of breath, vacationers climb the steep hill to the basilica to benefit from the view of town. I skip this expertise, the view from a distance and likewise the spectacular picture of the basilica on the quilt of the ebook displayed within the museum are sufficient for me. Its writer is the photographer František Zvardoň, who emigrated to France in 1985, the place he established himself and lives to this present day.
Marseille is house to the most important industrial port in France and one of many largest within the Mediterranean. It is a crucial middle for commerce and transport. Through the years, folks from completely different components of the world have settled right here, contributing to its wealthy cultural in addition to financial variety. After all, within the metropolis you’ll meet numerous homeless individuals who will sleep in any area of interest, even on the busy avenue La Canebière. However you’ll expertise an identical state of affairs in Paris.
As well as, in keeping with a current report by the European Fee, Marseille is the dirtiest metropolis in Europe after Palermo and Rome. It can’t be denied that some districts of the huge Marseille are actually not price visiting, however vacationers would not have to fret about arriving in a metropolis on the point of an apocalypse.
“Opposite to in style perception and town’s unhealthy popularity, strolling round Marseille is not any extra dangerous than strolling round Paris, Barcelona, Rome or different main European cities. That one can get into hassle at each nook is a delusion and doesn’t correspond to the truth on the bottom in any respect ,” writes a neighborhood weblog known as Made in Marseille.
I go away the oldest French metropolis as I arrived, maybe only some euros lighter. The costs for meals and lodging are considerably greater right here than right here. I fly again with the sensation that one needs to be alert, however one shouldn’t be afraid upfront. Marseille is price a go to.