Marseille.

We arrived in Marseille at the end of February, Marc began working at Une Table, Au Sud ( http://unetableausud.com/uk_index.htm ) on March 1st. Marseille is the 2nd largest city in France, after Paris, and the largest port. It's a multicultural city with a huge North African population, and also a huge rat population! No joke. Some rat sightings include a very happy rat jumping down the street with half a baguette in his mouth; regular sightings of scurrying rats on the streets at night; and my personal favourite (although thank goodness I never saw this, only heard from Marc) a rat eating a dead rat. Yuckkkkkkkkkk.

The city has some pretty areas, parks, etc, and also some gritty areas. It is like any other metropolitan city and after about 7 weeks in the city, we found some good lunch spots, some nice parks, and an internet cafe we frequented with a friendly owner who soon became Marc's good friend.

The old port, used now as a marina. Prior to steamships, this was the main harbour for merchant ships. It was also taken over by the Nazi's in WWII.

Here, we walked about 2 hours east of the old port, along the coastline.

One of our last days in Marseille, we found this huge fountain with a small park behind.

Some of our favourite eats in Marseille...

There's a nice little lunch place around the corner from Marc's apartment. The owner was a cute little Frenchman who was always happy to see us. He made fresh salads with any combination of bulgur/quino/arugula/watercress/almonds/tomatoes/sundried tomatoes/smoked salmon/prosciutto/mushy peas/lemon/parm/goat's cheese/etc. He also made delicious cheesecake and chocolate tarts, and fresh juices like apple-carrot-orange or strawberry-apple-kiwi.

We regularly got pastries or baguettes for nutella sandwiches. Here's Marc with a Peche (surprisingly no peach flavour, only a peach shape).

Rose, champagne, beer and cheese! When in France... and so delicious.

Uncle Howard and Aunt Tilly were on a cruise which just happened to dock in Marseille. Somehow, between the huge docks and all the construction, we just happened to be looking for each other in the same place and we got to spend the day together. So, we started with a typical French past-time, cafe.

...after some shopping and lunch outside at another cafe, we took the petit train touristique and did a little grocery shopping...

...before boarding their ship for their next destination. Bon Voyage!

Our last few days in Marseille we bought some last minute items...Marc carrying the 'heavy' luggage (fyi-tram behind)...

...and I had to get my picture taken infront of this shop, which I often passed. If you're looking for a ski suit from the 80s, you can find a great selection at this shop.

Au revoir apartment! (...if you look closely, you can see our nutella and baguette)

...salut! apartment entrance (Marc's apartment is the small windows on the floor above the door).

Still to post: pics from the fish market, held every morning at the old port with loads of different sea creatures on sale; and a posting from the chef himself!