Nice sunny morning, but a bit chilly. Checked on what we need to do today and realised we didn’t actually go into the Basilica on the hill yesterday, just up the top to take photos. The inside looks spectacular so we’ll go up again today. There were also some other areas we didn’t visit, so we’ll get to those (via Starbucks).
Walked to the old port and got the bus to the Basilica again, not as busy today; we got there at 10:00 just as it was opening and went inside. Wow. We would have been so disappointed if we’d missed it. It wasn’t very big, but the inside was magnificent – stunning red and white marble, the blocks alternating in colour, with gold frescoes on the walls and ceilings. There were only a few other people inside, yesterday would have been packed.
Went outside and took more photos of the views, then walked back down to the old port looking for a market. The one I thought we were heading for was actually a restaurant called “Les Halles” and not Les Halles which is what undercover markets in France are called, so walked another 20 minutes to a proper market. It was warmer now so had to take off the coats, but suspected it would rain later like yesterday. We also found a chocolatier so bought some, and Song bought some soap from the market (Marseille is famous for soap, apparently).
It was getting near lunchtime and Song wanted to try Bouillabaisse (Marseille is famous for Bouillabaisse, apparently), and there was a restaurant just next to the market with good reviews so gave that a go. Song ordered that and I was torn between a burger or a grilled fish so opted for the fish. I had steak yesterday and I don’t mind fish but would prefer not to have it every day.
My fish was a small portion on a bed of rice with grilled vegetables and was really nice. Song’s bouillabaisse was a massive bowl full of mussels, some fish, prawns and potatoes in a soup. She asked if this was a serving for one because it looked as if it would feed the entire restaurant. Apparently, yes, for one. Both meals cost $52 Euro ($89).
Completely stuffed, walked down to the main shopping strip, it got a bit chilly and started to rain a bit, but not the thunderstorm like yesterday. Not much to see, so we walked back to the hotel for a pit stop of tea and a pee before heading out again.
Walked towards a district called Le Panier, which is an old part of Marseille with lots of small alleyways and street art.
It’s not a large area, so we were soon out of it and came across another Cathedral. The rain clouds were forming and it looked as if it would pour down again.
We kept walking along the seafront, past the Museum and then decided we’d had enough and wanted to get back before the rain came down, and we almost made it but it hit us as we were nearing the hotel, but not too bad.
That was it for Marseille – we really liked it, we were here 2 full days and managed to see most of it – there is also a boat ride to the islands in the bay but we didn’t bother. Marseille is not a major tourist destination but there are things to do; it has a bad reputation but everywhere we went was really nice, we never felt unsafe. The first night we walked up some dark steps and there were a couple of young women walking on their own, so I think if you see that then a place should be safe. Unless, of course, the young women are the muggers.
Tomorrow is a travel day – 4 hour train to Toulouse and then a 4 hour bus to Andorra. We’re going to call into the Paul at the Marseille train station to stock up on food for the trip.