1. Overview of Marseille and Aix-en-Provence
2. Discovering Marseille
3. Enjoying Aix-en-Provence
4. Maximizing Your Sightseeing Experience
If you are cruising the Mediterranean Sea, there’s a good chance that the city of Marseille or another city on the French Riviera will be a port of call. Marseille serves as a gateway to the historic Provence area of France and provides easy access to captivating cities such as Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, St. Paul de Vence, and Les Baux.
Discovering Marseille
When your ship arrives in Marseille, one of the first sights you’ll encounter is the Château d’If, a small island located about 1.5 miles from the old port. This fortress held numerous political prisoners throughout its history, including the French revolutionary hero Mirabeau. Moreover, Alexandre Dumas elevated the island’s fame when he featured it as the prison in his classic 1844 novel, “The Count of Monte Cristo.” Local tour boats take visitors to the island, but cruise passengers can enjoy a magnificent view while sailing into or out of Marseille.
Three prominent associations come to mind with Marseille: the delectable bouillabaisse, a fish stew that originated here; the stirring national anthem of France, “La Marseillaise”; and the rich historical and tourism narrative that this captivating area offers. Marseille, with a history spanning over 1,500 years, boasts well-preserved structures that reflect its original design.
As France’s oldest and second-largest city, Marseille has served as an entry point for North Africans entering France. Consequently, the city showcases a vibrant Arab population. The city is watched over by the church of Notre-Dame de la Garde (Our Lady of the Guard), which offers a panoramic view of the city. Additionally, the city features many historic churches, including the Abbey of Saint-Victor, which dates back over a thousand years and has a fascinating history.
Enjoying Aix-en-Provence
Aboard a cruise to the French Riviera, ships typically offer shore excursions to Avignon, Les Baux, St. Paul de Vence, and Aix-en-Provence. A half-day excursion to Aix-en-Provence is particularly enjoyable. Buses transport guests to the old city of Aix, approximately an hour’s drive from the ship. This city is renowned for being the home of the French impressionist Paul Cézanne and is bustling with university students that enliven the atmosphere.
Aix was originally a fortified city with 39 towers and now features boulevards surrounding a central area filled with trendy shops and sidewalk cafes. If lucky, you may visit on market day, where streets overflow with shoppers from the surrounding countryside, offering an abundance of flowers, food, clothing, prints, and various other items. It’s delightful to stroll through the streets with a guide and visit the historic Saint Sauveur Cathedral, where you can see the 6th-century Christian baptistry alongside the 16th-century carved walnut doors.
After an hour of guided touring, you’ll have approximately 90 minutes of free time to explore Aix-en-Provence independently. You might want to indulge in Aix’s famous Calissons; simply stop by a local bakery for a treat. Although time is limited on tours, the experience of browsing through the market stalls remains enjoyable. Many groups convene at the Great Fountains on the Cours Mirabeau, built in 1860, located at the “bottom end” of the Cours at La Rotonde.
Maximizing Your Sightseeing Experience
One of the best aspects of cruising is the opportunity to see numerous locations without needing to pack and unpack frequently. However, a downside is the limited time available to explore intriguing towns like Aix-en-Provence in greater detail. Therefore, travelers often find themselves wishing to linger, absorbing the sights, sounds, and aromas of the captivating Provence region.
