The train from Nice to Marseille takes about 2.5 hours, much of it with picturesque coast in view, and well worth looking out the window rather than reading a book. We had been contemplating taking the "blue train" excursion from and back to Marseille featured in Michael Portillo's multi series BBC TV show "Great European railway journeys in 1913" repeated several times on SBS. However since we are only in Marseille for one full day, we have omitted this half day excursion from our itinerary while nevertheless commending the round trip to any with slightly more time to spend in the neighbourhood.
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| Bon Voyage greeting from Amber
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We were treated particularly well by Emirates in our journey to France, and are minded to give them the "most comfortable for us on the Europe run" award.
On disembarking at At Nice a steward presented us with a "bon voyage cake", a surprise arranged by our travel agent Amber from Travel Associates.
Though on holidays herself had she heard of the soft shoe shuffle needed for us to get lift off from home? We hope to share it with the grandchildren if it lasts the distance.
We alighted last night to a vista that few railway stations could rival
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| View from Marseille Gare St Charles (1) |
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| View from Marseille Gare St Charles (2) |
This morning we explored Old Marseille (Le Panier District) near the Vieux Port where our hotel is situated.
There are romantic narrow streets
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| Le Panier streets(1) |
And leafy streetscapes,
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Le Panier streets(2)
And Ancient buildings that escaped depredation by Haussmann and the Nazis, and ultimately swivelled to meet street realignment:
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| Oldest building of its kind still standing in Marseille |
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Here's the swivel explained in old street photos
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Swivelling a building
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Door
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Charity accommodation old style
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Street art new style
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| Le Parking Français style |
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