Jun 4th - Marseille

 A large part of the day today was a washout so we didn’t quite get to see as much as we hoped. We did however manage to get a wander round the neighbourhood and port again, and then up to the city’s Basilica before the rainstorm hit. 

The area that we’re staying in is a bit run down but is also getting a reputation as a bit ‘arty’.  This reputation is encouraging small art galleries to the area as well as adding to the stacks of graffiti paintings on most of the buildings. 

Down at the port this morning we visited the fish market.  I always think it’s interesting to see the strange fish other nations eat that we never see in our own seafood markets. 

Our last visit before the thunder and lightning hit was to the ‘Notre Dame de la Garde’, the city’s best known symbol and Basilica built on the highest natural point in Marseille.  Constructed in the 1850’s it consists of a lower church, in the Romanesque style, and an upper church of Neo-Byzantine style and decorated with mosaics.  Again the exterior of the building features the multi-coloured layered stonework that I love, and the inside is decorated with marble and pictorial mosaics, which are magnificent, and are a reminder of our time in Ravenna. 

While out at lunch today we came across this, and what a great idea, an ‘ice-bag’ instead of an ice-bucket!  Just add water and ice and “Et voilà”, cold Rosé, beautiful! 😋🍷





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