Definitely not a "Bidonville"

While I was surfing I have stumbled upon a blog site where he commented that Marseilles is a "Bidonville" (shanty town or of a low economic or social class). Well, I would definitely not like to influence but I hope he will change his wrong impression about the place. I must say that am proud to have live in the South of France especially in Marseilles which is the oldest city and its second largest metropolitan district in France. The city is situated in the perimeter of Mediterranean Sea so obviously there is the Port Authority of Marseilles which is the second largest in the entire Europe preceded by Rotterdam. The Port of Marseilles is once a trading place during primordial Greek empire around 600 B.C. Presently it is one of the busiest Ports all over France. Bourgeoisie isn’t really the term to be used by some. Since it is the oldest city therefore they have kept the antiques images of architectures and buildings. Some of them are renovated but some are not restored yet so it’s not aesthetically clean. I think it's everywhere, travel will mean inconveniences. As we always say we cannot have everything right?! Personally, locals or tourist consider Marseilles as one of the nicest city though the region is not considered as a dirty-free place to visit but you can still find many areas that are clean. Marseillais (the inhabitants) are very warm people (except when they drive), they could be a pain in the neck!

However, we have everything in the South. We don’t have the Eiffel Tower, Champs Élysées or La Defense but we are blessed with beautiful nature and sun. I understand better why a lot of Tourist even locals from other regions are enthusiastic to visit Marseilles especially during summer. I will tell you why, it is because we have them in just a steps away.

La Place de la Joliette - The Joliette docks were built in the 19th century and presently did a huge interior renovation to beautify Marseille. You could also visit the Docks des Sud. The Docks des Suds in Marseilles is the old port warehouses hosting the festival each fall musical "Fiesta des Suds", is completely renovated after it was ravaged by fire. Thanks to PAM for the free tickets we get to watch good concerts every year.

Le Vieux Port - The old port is the major tourist district and its streets are ruled with restaurants and cafés. One of the most animated plaza in the city. The Theatre National de la Criée is very popular tourist spots and is worth to visit. Furthermore, the Basilica of St Victor is famous close by as the 'key to the port' (church where I got married). You can also ride the city train for a city tour until Notre Dame de la Garde.

Image taken from http://images.google.fr

Frioul – it is an island traversing the Mediterranean sea of Marseilles from the Old Port and is accessible by boat from the port. There are 3 islands “ 'If, Ratonneau, and Pomègues” that constitute the archipelago which is visible from Le Pharo. The island of If is the smallest amongst the three. Chateau D’If (castle) was built by François 1er and renowned by Alexandre Dumas. Ratonneau and Pomègues, are correlated by a dam of 360 m from the 18th century. It is known as the driest place of France. Locals built a second houses and spend most of their time during summer therefore there are hotels, restaurants and bars that will cater for you.

Le Panier - Situated near Vieux Port, this popular district, takes you around the Provençal pedestrian lanes having multi-coloured construction. The Clocher des Accoules, la place des Moulins, la Vieille Charité and la Major are amongst the tourists spots to witness out for.

La Canebière - This is the most famed boulevard in town. When you go downtown you will spot shopping lanes such as Rue St Ferréol, the Musée de la Mode, the Musée de la Marine, l'Economie, Centre Bourse and the Opéra house. Normally in France shopping stores are close during Sundays but in this area you could easily find shopping stores which are often handle by Arabian and African proprietor.

La Plaine - Otherwise well-known as Place Jean Jaures, this vast plaza has a market going on every Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and is a very hectic during that time. I remember living there for 3 years and used to go shopping or just roaming around. You have great choices of products from the cheapest to the most expensive, from original to fake items. In the nearby streets, there is an open option of restaurants, bars and pubs regularly visited by the local citizens like the l'Intermédiaire or the Bar de la Plaine (we were living in this district before).

Palais Longchamp - is a fine place if you want to obtain fresh air. The place has also few museums to explore too. Musée Grobet-Labadie, the Musée des Beaux-Arts and the Muséeum d'Histoire Naturelle-the natural history museum are also great for tripping out.

Endoume - A desired spot by the neighbourhood, this district is where you can find the gigantic Notre Dame de la Garde about 1 kilometre from Vieux Port. The name La Bonne Mère (means Good Mother) came from the colossal figure of the Virgin Mary on top of the Church tower. An important place for pilgrimage.You can also grab one of the big telescopes for one euro at the top of the church to see the whole Marseilles.

La Place de David – There you will find the famous replica of “David” statue sculpted by Michael Angelo in 1501 to 1504. This statue was offered in 1903 by the marble-sculptor Jules Cantini adorns the roundabout Beach Prado. You cannot miss this one because it is in the turnabouts itself. All along this Avenue de Prado there is the Stade Velodrome where football games are being held. There are great restaurants, pizzeria and bars to take pleasure in just sit and relax while enjoying the beauty of Mediterranean Sea.

Le Parc Borély – This is just in the vicinity of Place de David in the 8th district of Marseilles. This is one of the biggest Parks in Marseilles measuring 17 hectares. You will find a lot of variety there such as the Chateau Borély, a vast Jardin Anglais (English Garden) Jardin a la Française (French Garden), Botanical Garden, a traditional garden offered by the Chinese from the city of Shanghai last 4 years ago. There is also the newest Mini sculpture of Notre Dame de la Garde made only last year. (Mosaïculture Notre-Dame de la Garde). A lot of activities to do like, jogging, biking, (bringing your own bike is ideal or renting will do) roller balding. Parks for children are everywhere and cool places to hang out and practice sports, or even for just a place for relaxiation.

Le Point Rouge – When you reach the David turnabouts it is located in the southern harbour of Marseilles, constructed between 1964 and 1972 with an 8 meters draught in the port before 1800 and places to dock. With an easy access day and night without danger. From the port you would be able to cross between the cliffs of Cassis and Camargues.

La Corniche - The Corniche or cornice is a very famous word even in other countries like Dubai. This is an elongate boulevard that links the coastline between the Palais du Pharo, the Old Port, and ends at Prado beaches in the south. This became a place for resorts, hotels and apparent symbol of affluence for brokers who built extravagant mansions in flamboyant luxury. Beautiful landscapes dream, aquatic scenery, and rugged mountains, bourgeois villas and exercise yards manner "CA". During the summer, in the morning the sun shines offers a panorama open sea on the horizon. It could be an extraordinarily stunning sight during sunset.

Les Calanques – The last but not the least which can be found along the coast to the southeast of Marseille and also accessible between Les Goudes of Marseille and Cassis (known city of VAR). According to Wikipedia Calanque (from the Corsican word of Preindoeuropean source Calanca (plural calanche) with signifies "inlet" Occitan Calanca too) is a geologic structure in the shape of a profound gorge jagged sides, naturally of limestone in branch submerged by the ocean, a Mediterranean Fjord. This is a popular site for many tourist and locals similarly (such as the Corniche des Crêtes and Cap Canaille) visioning stunning landscapes.

Image taken from http://images.google.fr

There are still some undiscovered areas but I am sure to explore them in the future. I must admit that the most visited country is Paris, France (this is according to world tourism ranking) but I guess some other cities like Marseilles, Lyon, Bourgogne, and Pay Basque and the rest of other regions are worth visiting too!