Arriving in Marseille

Monday February 27 was a travel day. We caught the 12:02 p.m. train to Marseille.  It was a new train and very comfortable.  We had assigned seats.  There were only five stops and we arrived on time in Marseille at 2:33 p.m.

Through the train window-- high waves today as we passed Cagnes-sur-Mer

Cannes--- one pic of the beach as we passed by

Passing by Saint-Raphaël

We arrived at Gare St-Charles in Marseille. We took the Metro for two stops to the Vieux Port.  It was then  a 10 minute walk to our Airbnb. We are staying in the Le Panier district (the 2eme arrondissement), the oldest district in Marseille.  The Greeks settled in this district in 600 BC.  They chose the location because of the fact that it was on the top of a hill and near the sea.  Le Panier had a bad reputation in the 19th and early 20th century.  However, at the turn of the 21st century, a huge renovation and urban development plan took place.  Today it is home to artists' studios, shops and designers.  Every street corner is covered with street art.  We're only started our exploration, but it looks like a very interesting neighbourhood.

We're a few streets up hill from the Old Port 

We walked by the imposing Intercontinental Hotel, which used to be a hospital

City Hall is across from the Intercontinental Hotel

Other side of the City Hall -- built in the middle of the 18th century, Pavillon Daviel

We passed the Église Notre-Dame- des-Accoules which is on the site of a medieval church of the 11th century, which was rebuilt in the 13th century, destroyed during the French Revolution in 1794 with the exception of the bell tower, and rebuilt in the 19th century.

We passed the Église Notre-Dame-des Accoules -one of oldest churches in Marseille

Our Airbnb is on the first floor (second story in Canada) of a building on Montée des Accoules. It is in a building next to stairs which lead up to another street.  It is a very nice, well-lit, quiet place with all the amenities.

Living room area.

Small but very nice bedroom

View from the living room window of the steps

Kitchen area

Modern bathroom and large shower

Alain outside the entrance

We needed some provisions so walked up another level of stairs to a street that then went slightly down hill to a number of other streets.  Our host had a very good welcoming book with lots of recommendations.  She had recommended a wine store that we were heading to.  

 Small streets in Le Panier district -- this is further up the hill, looking down

We passed the site of an astronomic observatory set up in the Jesuits College in 1702, that remained in operation until 1863.  It was replaced by a school and a museum dedicated entirely to children.

Plaque noting that this was the site of a former observatory

Lots of graffiti in the 'hood

The school graffiti

Unfortunately, the wine store was not open on Mondays so we headed back to Avenue Caisserie and Grand Rue to get some food for dinner.  Our first stop was Les Navettes des Accoules, a small store where they make and sell the famous navettes buscuits Marseillaises made with fleur d'oranger.  Our host claims they are the best in town.  

Les Navettes des Accuses-- homemade biscuits made every day

We then stopped at a fruit and vegetable store with very nice looking produce.  Unfortunately, the recommended cheese shop was not open on Mondays.  

Veg and fruits for our meals at the apartment

A recommended bakery with some fresh baguettes

View of L'église des Accoules

We headed back to the apartment--there is a small shop behind the blue door.  We enter the building around the corner from the door.

Looking up the stairs to our building- the window from our living room is just above the blue door,
which houses a lovely soap shop

Alain made a chicken dinner with artichokes, tomatoes and a green salad.  We had some of the famous navettes for dessert.  On Tuesday February 28, we are taking a food tour with our favourite food tour company, Culinary Backstreets.