Le Lancement -- The Launch

Vieux Port Rendezvous, Claude McKay’s Panier, Fort St Jean, Mucem, la Canebière, Marseille Crossroads, Noailles, Opera House, Notre-Dame de la Garde, Vanille Noire

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This “two-thirds day” tour is designed for guests arriving via cruise ship. Taxi service is the most timely, inexpensive and secure transportation to and from your docking point. The Launch moves at a relaxed pace, exploring the Vieux Port (Old Port) and the neighbourhoods surrounding it. The tour also includes a mid-afternoon activity option. At the end of the afternoon we rendezvous at the oldest meeting point in France, the Vieux Port, before bidding each other adieu.

The Launch begins at the most ancient meeting place in France, the Vieux (Old) Port. Our first stop takes us to author Claude McKay’s Panier of the 1920’s. In his novel Banjo, McKay captures life in Marseille’s oldest neighborhood. Here the streets are narrow, modern and ancient buildings stand side by side. Travelling west on foot, we cross into Fort Saint Jean by sky ramp. This is the original site of Marseille’s first settlement. The stone complex was redesigned and showcased in 2013, when Marseille was designated as Europe’s cultural capital. A short bus ride carries us to la Canebière, Marseille’s main boulevard. Here we catch a glimpse of the Arc d’ Triomphe and make our wish at the statue of the Lady of the Crossroads. Noaillies is our next stop, with a total change of language, dress and cultural custom the African and Arab quarter with its exotic spice shops, Eastern Market and a total change of language, dress and cultural custom.

We top off the early afternoon with Josephine Baker’s view of Marseille. We will see the Municipal Opera House where Josephine performed and the hotel where she stayed while serving as a spy for the French resistance.

Guests are free to choose their afternoon activity: personal shopping, strolling on your own or a visit to Notre-Dame de la Garde atop the highest point in Marseille via the scenic land train (scenic train fees not included in tour costs). Our day ends when we return to the Vieux Port.