Marseille, one of the largest cities of France,is located in the Provence region of the country and is a destination that deserves a visit by travellers with a keen sense of exploration and adventure. Despite the negative attention the city has received for high crime rates, it makes for a great choice for those seeking a historically rich and culturally diverse city with fantastic architecture.
Watched over by the basilica Notre-Damede-la-Garde, Marseille is a dynamic and lively city that has a long history. Today, with a sizable Jewish and Muslim community apart from the Christians as well as a small Buddhist community apart from others, due to its large migrant population, this city is quite multicultural.
The first view that one gets to see, if lucky enough to arrive by train- which is at an elevated platform, is the city from top. I was greeted by the cityscape that lay ahead, and the endless staircase (one of the many in the city).
At walking distance from the station is the tourist office, located in the city centre. This is an informative and helpful place to acquire a map of the city where trails are highlighted for lovers of old architecture, as well as modern new-age buildings and art.
The long wide road of La Caebiere is filled with big brands and fast food chains as well as important government buildings. It leads to the Vieux port or the Old Port, at one time the commercial port of the city, now a buzzing space filled with yachts and boats by the water and promenade scores of restaurants and shops to accommodate the numerous tourists that pass by along the.
Somewhere in between all this noise are small shops such as La Maison du Pastis, an interesting boutique to learn about, taste and purchase absinthe and pastis. Pastis is an anise flavoured herbal liquor drink that is of French origin and extremely popular with the locals of Marseille along with the experimental and adventurous tourists. The popularity that this drink has achieved goes back to the initial days after it had been manufactured. The credit for this has been given to an entrepreneur from Marseille, Paul Ricard, who marketed and shaped the future of the drink.
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