“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.” Psalm 109:1
Marseille is France’s first port, and it’s oldest French town. Today, it is the second largest in population with 875,000 people living here (Paris is first). Founded by Greek sailors, Marseille has a rocky coastline with fishing villages and summer resorts. Hills and mountains are all around the city, and lots of aromatic herbs grow here – thyme and rosemary are the most famous.
Clockwise from top-left: sign on the hill; Arc de Triomphe; Notre Dame de la Garde basilica; sailboat marina; prison island from the novel Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas.
Basilica – Notre Dame de la Garde
This cathedral was built in a 46-year period (1853-1899). It sits atop a hill overlooking Marseille and the bay. There is a gold statue of smart on top of the bell tower.
Aix-en-Provence
Founded by Roman soldiers, Aix-en-Provence is the second town founded in southern France. Located about two hours from the French Alps, it was established about 122 years before Christ, and from 972 AD to 1481, it was an independent country. Aix-en-Provence is known for its warm water springs, which the Romans used to create their public baths. Because of the many springs, the city has lots of fountains. Today, nearly 90,000 people live here.
Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur
There are three knaves, or sections, in this church, and they were built at different times. The first knave was built by the Romans circa 300 AD. The baptismal area is from this time period. The second knave was built in the 13th century. The altar area shows the gothic architecture and there are many stained glass windows. The third knave is from the 17th century and is baroque architecture. There is a greater use of gold and marble as well as more statues in this section.
Placo de Hotel de Ville – Town Hall Square
This is where the government offices are in Aix-en-Provence. Over the doors of the Town Hall are three flags. They are the EU flag, the French flag, and the Catalán region flag. (The Count of Barcelona, in the region of Catalonia, was also the count of this region). Next to the Town Hall is the Post Office building, which has a facade with wheat on one side and grapes on the other which represent the region’s agricultural staples.
Farmers’ Market Square
Lots of produce is sold here including lavender (the region is known for this), honey, breads, and meats.
Fountains
Fountains are all throughout Aix-en-Provence. The first fountain was built in 1618 in the square “Anciano Placo de L’Archevescat.” It was also in this square that the French Resistance first met to plan its war efforts against Germany in WWII.
Clockwise from top-left: 1st fountain in Anciano Placo de L’Archevescat, Placo de Alberta fountain, Town Hall fountain, Main Street fountain, Four Dolphins fountain
Bastide du Cours
Lunch was at the Bastide du Cours restaurant in Aix-en-Provence. We had mixed greens with goat cheese and bread to start, then chicken with veggies as the entree. Dessert was a strawberry mousse cake with blueberries and cranberries.
Next stop: Genoa, Italy!