Tuesday 15 April 2014

A-Z Blogging Challenge - Marseille


Marseille from the church of Notre Dame le Garde on an outcrop above the city
Marseille is the second largest city in France and its largest commercial port. About 600 B.C. the Greeks established the settlement of Massalia which became one of the major trading ports in the ancient world. The town later allied itself with the Roman Republic, mainly as protection against the Etruscans and Carthage, but lost its independent status in the 1st century BC and became part of the Roman Empire.
 
It continued to thrive during the Middle Ages, despite setbacks when it was attacked by the Saracens and by Spain. It’s also thought that Marseille was the first place in France to suffer an outbreak of bubonic plague in 1348, which later spread throughout Europe.
Le Vieux Port - The Old Port
 
By the end of the Middle Ages, Marseille was incorporated into France, and continued to play an important trading and naval role. Various forts were built around the port which can still be seen today.
Fort Saint Jean at the north entrance to the harbour
 
Fort Saint Nicholas on the south side
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
You can also take a boat trip out to the Chateau d’If, made famous by the Alexandre Dumas novel, The Count of Monte Cristo.
 
The local people supported the French Revolution and in 1792, the city sent 500 volunteers to Paris to help defend the revolutionary government. On their march northwards to Paris, they sang their rallying call, which came to be known as La Marseillaise, and is now France’s national anthem.
 
In modern times, Marseille has continued as a trading and commercial centre, and industry has expanded, with petroleum refining and shipbuilding being the main industries. It also attracts millions of tourists, including the Mediterranean cruise ships. Last year it was designated as European Capital of Culture. Its main cultural attraction is the Opera House, originally built in the 18th century.
 
The city is also renowned for its food, especially bouillabaisse, a kind of fish stew containing at least three types of fresh local fish, and served with rouille (mayonnaise) on toasted bread.
 

10 comments:

  1. I've always wondered about Marseille, and the national anthem. Isadora Duncan brought the French to their feet in Paris when she sang 'La Marseillaise' at one performance of her dance.
    Enjoyed the photos.

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    1. Thanks, D.G. La Marseillaise is certainly a very stirring national anthem!

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  2. Replies
    1. I've only had one day there, but would love to go back and see more of the city.

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  3. Reading a book by Peter Mayle in Marseille, quite a nice lecture

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    1. Peter Mayle wrote a couple of books (or maybe more) about life in Provence which were very entertaining.

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  4. Ah, now here I can at least say I've been geographically close! About twenty years ago I was in Paris on a tour. It was beautiful. Yikes. I can't believe it's been that long...my how time flies.

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    1. Europeans wouldn't actually think Marseille was 'close' to Paris, Debra, but maybe that's all relative! Come back on Saturday for some of my Paris memories!

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  5. I love learning new things from the tour posts, puts me in holiday mood. I have given your blog a shout out from my letter N today http://rosieamber.wordpress.com/

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