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Europe 2016 Marseille
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Marseille has had a bad rap over the years, often chosen as a sinister and dangerous location for crime movies. But I found it to be a lively city with much to enjoy.

The old harbour has recently been renovated at great expense and is full of restaurants and cafes offering anything the stomach could desire.

I also found Marseille to be an excellent base from which to do day trips to towns like Arles and Avignon in Provence. It also has an excellent public transport system with no less than three Metro lines, and three tram lines. This makes it easy to get about.
The entrance to the old harbour still has its fortifications.
Up on the hill, built upn the foundations of an old fort, stands the Basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde.
This is the Vallon des Auffes. It is a small fishing village several kilmetres to the East of the Old Harbour, nestled below the bridge carrying the road which runs along the scenic coast.
Off the coast of Marseille lie a number of islands known as the Frioul Archipelago.
This is the Chateau d'If in the Frioul Archipelago. It was a fortress and later a prison.

The fictional Count of Monte Cristo was supposedly imprisoned here, finally making his escape to seek revenge upon those who had falsely accused him of crimes.
In the top left of the picture stands Notre Dame de la Garde. In the foreground on the right is the stark Abbaye Saint-VIctor.
The interior of Notre Dame de la Garde is sumptiously decorated.
The Basilica has a number of model ships hanging from the ceiling, reminding us that Notre Dame de la Garde serves to protect the sailors and ships who venture out of the port of Marseille.
On the far side of the harbour mouth stands the Fort of Saint Nicolas.
This is the Place Castellane. Apart from a Metro Station, there are a number of buses departing from here to places like Luminy and Cassis.
Good to see a traditional trade being practised near the Place Castellane.
This is the impressive stairway leading up to Saint Charles, the main railway station of Marseille. A worthy example of civic pride.
This building houses two institutions of note: on the left of the picture is the Musee des Beaux-Arts de Marseille, and on the right is the Museum d'histoire naturelle.
We end our short tour of Marseille with a side view of Notre Dame de la Garde past a Griffin standing guard at the Musee des Beaux-Arts.