To do list in Provence

For this last article of my blog, I decided to focus on our wonderful region which is the Provence. Well known world-wide, I'll show you the place to be if you decided to come see us.

Aix en Provence

Aix-en-Provence is a French commune, the ancient capital of Provence, sub-prefecture of the Bouche-Du-Rhône in the region Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.Spa town, Aix-en-Provence is especially known for its cultural heritage: the University of Aix has been created since 1409, the city is particularly associated with Émile Zola and Paul Cézanne, who was born there.Aix-en-Provence is now world famous for its festivals of opera and Easter, rich and beautiful architectural heritage, including its plush hotels Baroque individuals, as well as its elegance and lifestyle.Many tourists go there every year in search of Provençal authenticity and to enjoy the charm of its historic city center but also that of nature, vineyards and surrounding olive fields.But Aix is ​​also modern, since 2000 many projects were launched such as Sextius-Mirabeau quarter, composed of Provençal Paths, the Grand Theatre de Provence, black pavilion, a new conservatory, and more recently, the Camp, international campus research and seminars, the digital division of Constance. You will therefore understand, Aix is ​​a perfect city to spend the day for shopping and have a drink on the Cours Mirabeau.

Cassis

Cassis is a commune in the department of Bouches-du-Rhône and the administrative Region Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. It is characterized by cliffs and coves on its territory and for the wines of Cassis (white, but pink) products in the region. Tourism plays an important role in the economy of this county. Cassis is popular in summer for the quality of its beaches and its landscape with the Cap Canaille.

St Victoire Mountain

Located at the east of Aix-en-Provence, she gained international fame thanks in part to the sixty works of the painter Paul Cézanne which it is subject. Paradise for hikers, climbers and nature lovers, it is a major element of Aix landscape.

Baux de Provence

Les Baux-de-Provence is a French commune inthe Bouche-du-Rhône of the department and the region Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.
Les Baux, located in the Alpilles, are now primarily a tourist site before being a place of life. They are one of the most beautiful villages in France and welcome over a million and a half visitors a year. 22 inhabitants still live within the walls of Baux - the upper part of the village - 381 inhabitants and for the whole town.

Avignon

Nicknamed the "City of Popes" because of the presence of popes from 1309 to 1423 and is currently the largest city and capital of the department of Vaucluse. This is one of the few French cities to have preserved its ramparts, its historic center, composed of the Papal Palace, the Episcopal Ensemble, the Rocher des Doms and the Avignon Bridge. It was classified world heritage of UNESCO.

Marseille's celebrities

Marseille is the second largest city in France, she saw a large number of well-known personalities on the national level but also internationally. A brief overview:

Music


IAM

IAM is a French rap group from Marseille, created in 1989 and composed of Akhenaton (Philippe Fragione) Shurik'n (Geoffroy Mussard) Kheops (Eric Mazel) Imhotep (Pascal Perez) Kephren (François Mendy) and formerly of Freeman (Malek Brahimi). IAM is often considered one of the pillars of French rap, and as one of the best bands in history.

Massilia Sound System

Massilia Sound System is a French reggae group founded in Marseille in 1984.

Known to have been able to develop from its creation Provencal version of the Jamaican reggae through typical Marseille themes, lyrics sung in Occitan and sound tinged with folk sounds, the Massilia Sound System opened thereafter to new sounds, including Indian sounds, electronic, drum'n'bass, rock and more recently.

The group has been involved for a long time in the cultural life of Marseille, multiplying concerts associations, neighborhood-friendly meals and other initiatives.

Alonzo 

Alonzo , whose real name Kassim Djae , is a French rapper of Comorian descent born in Marseilles on 25 July 1982. He became known within the group Psy 4 of rhymes with Soprano, Vincenzo ( his cousins ​​) and Sya Styles.

 JUL

Jul, pseudonym of Julien Marie, is a French rapper and singer variety born January 14, 1990 in Marseille.Jul hails from the district of Saint-Jean-du-Desert in Marseille (he calls St. John The Puenta). It is present in the world of French rap in recent years. Jul was part of One Industry Liga label created by Kalif Hardcore and Tota, a structure based in the south of France.Jul became known in the world of French rap with his debut song called Get out the stolen cross, released in November 2013. The video clip was viewed 30 million times by Internet users since it went online. This song is the first single from his debut album In my paranoia, released February 24, 2014. He has since released other albums that were successful francs.

SCH

Coming from Marseille, the storm blows over Sch French rap. Recognized by his peers, Sch is the rising star of the hexagonal rap.This particular style - awesome, confusing or questionable, in the opinion of each - is involved in the uniqueness of his character, but Sch is characterized by its universe ... just as unlikely. Can be made in less than a minute Spirited Away, John Lennon and Ciro Di Marzio, it shapes, according to the title, a fabric interwoven references, with only cardinal drug trafficking, weapons caliber and girls to mature mouth.

Cinema and Litterature


Marcel Pagnol

Marcel Pagnol is a writer, playwright, French filmmaker and producer, born 28 February 1895 in Aubagne (near Marseille) and died in Paris on 18 April 1974 (at age 79).

He became famous with Marius piece shown at the theater in March 1929. He founded in Marseilles in 1934 his own production company and film studio, and made many movies with major actors of the period (especially Raimu, Fernandel et Pierre Fresnay) : Angèle (1934), Regain (1937), La Femme du boulanger (1938)…
In 1946 he was elected to the French Academy. After 1956, he moves away from film and theater, and began writing his Recollections including La Gloire de mon père and Le Château de ma mère. He finally published in 1962, l'eau des collines, novel in two volumes: Jean de Florette and Manon des Sources, based on his movie Manon of the sources, made ten years ago and starring his wife Jacqueline Pagnol.

Fernandel

Fernand Joseph Désiré Contandin says Fernandel, is an actor, comedian, singer and French director born May 8, 1903 in Marseille and died on 26 February 1971 in Paris.

From the music hall, he was for decades one of the biggest stars of French cinema, a true champion of the box office, which attracted more than 200 million spectators in theaters. Comic iconic film before and after the war, many of his films have become classics, like Le Schpountz, L'Auberge rouge, Ali Baba et les Quarante voleurs or La Cuisine au beurre, along with several of his characters, like Don Camillo. He also starred in the most dramatic compositions including La Vache et le Prisonnier, Naïs or Heureux qui comme Ulysse.


Sport


Zinedine Zidane

Zinedine Yazid Zidane, born June 23, 1972 in Marseille, is a former French international player and current football coach. During his playing career, between 1988 and 2006, it evolves an attacking midfielder as playmaker. From 2013 to 2014, he served as assistant coach positions at Real Madrid and that of coach of the team Real Madrid Castilla until 2016. On 4 January 2016, he became coach of Real Madrid.Nicknamed "Zizou", it is considered one of the greatest players in the history of football. Featuring a unique profile, he won many titles, both with the team of France with the clubs where he played as Juventus and Real Madrid. He, moreover, was named best player of the year at least once in each league where he played.Zidane is the BBC the best European player in history. It is named best European player of the past fifty years by FIFA and UEFA in 2004. It is listed among the 125 best world players still alive in 2004, in a joint filing Pele and FIFA. It is three times named World Player of the Year by FIFA in 1998, 2000 and 2003, and won the Golden Ball in 1998.

Eric Cantona

Eric Cantona is a former French footballer turned actor at the end of his sports career, born in Marseille on May 24 1966. His sports career in France and England - where he was nicknamed "King Eric" - both generates excitement for his player qualities that the polemics around his attitude on the field and off.During his playing career, Cantona is a talented and inspired striker. Champion of England with Leeds United and four times with Manchester United, he became one of the historical figures of the Red Devils. Elected by supporters of Manchester United as the best player who evolved within this club and best player in the history of the Premier League by a survey by Barclays, Eric King is one of the best strikers of his time.His escapades, anger and unpredictability made him a must-media player.


Samir Nasri

Samir Nasri, born 26 June 1987 in Marseille is a French international footballer. He plays as a midfielder for Manchester City.

Nasri is a famous player for his technical abilities, creativity and vision of the game. He started in football clubs in Marseille, his hometown, where he joined the major club, Olympique Marseille, at nine. He followed his training to integrate the professional team in 2004-2005 to 17 years. Became a regular the following season holder, he was named best hope the championship of France in 2007. In 2008, he left Marseille for Arsenal FC, where he confirms his talent. He was named best French player of 2010 by France Football. Expected to be the major player in the London club for the 2011-2012 season, he asked for and obtained his transfer to Manchester City, with whom he won the English championship in 2012.

Marseille : A multicultural city

Is the multicultural city of Marseille a vision of the future?

The capital of Provence has a well-deserved reputation as a rough and unruly place, a port that attracts all kinds of contraband and all kinds of people, some of them contraband too. Over the centuries, they've mostly come by sea—mingling, scheming, brawling, coupling, feasting, and drinking with unashamed and unapologetic flamboyance. The city has served as a refuge for people fleeing persecution, pestilence, and poverty. Recently its sizable immigrant influx has been largely of Muslim origin, and today when you gaze from one of Marseille's many beaches across the Mediterranean toward the unseen North African coast, you can almost imagine a human deluge on its way as the spreading unrest in the Arab world pushes more refugees and job seekers toward the shores of Europe.

If you listen to far-right politicians, you'll think this immigrant wave means, inevitably, an onslaught of Islamic puritanism that will challenge European ways and force every woman to dress like a Taliban bride. But then you realize that many of the men and women jostling around you on the Marseille sand are from African and Arab backgrounds, and that the young women are wearing bikinis, not burkas. Thanks to a remarkably efficient public transport system, you can get to Marseille's beaches from any part of town in less than 45 minutes.

And so for several months of the year, rich and poor, white and black, African and Arab, Muslim, Christian, and Jew, all find their own space on the sand, strip off most of their clothes, and settle down to socialize—and be socialized— under the Provençal sun. Ask them where they're from and you won't hear Algeria or Morocco, the Comoros islands or even France. Almost always they'll simply say, Marseille.

As more European countries become nations of immigrants, Marseille may be a vision of the future, even a model of multiculturalism. Not that its equilibrium is easy to maintain. In particular, the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East periodically send ripples of fear through this French city. Similarly in November 2005, when riot-fueled flames erupted in just about every other French city's immigrant-filled housing projects, Muslim Marseille stayed cool.

Some locals believe, with reason, that the Marseille miracle of social peace has a lot to do with its beaches, which serve as its great melting pot. The neutral turf of sun and sand reaches only so far into city life. While other municipal rituals also unite people (a fanatical support for the Marseille soccer team, for instance), once the game's over and the sun sets on the beach, prejudices can surface. There's plenty of racism to be found in Marseille.

Such a story raises the question of whether Marseille is really an example of cosmopolitan harmony—or a society on the brink of unrest. The uncomfortable answer is that it's both.

To do list in Marseille : Top 5

Marseille is full of natural beauty and historical monuments which are recognized nationally but also internationally. Marseille is the oldest city in France and a multitude of treasures to discover. And If you follow me to see...

Notre dame de la Garde Basilica

A must-do , a classic , simply. Symbol of the city as well as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, this is the first step of our tour. Possible to go by "Petit train" from the Old Port, I advise you to climb on foot to enjoy even better once you get the top. The view is breathtaking, the best view of Marseille, with a 360 degree view. Time stops and you step back on the city. You will also have the opportunity to enter the basilica and appreciate there his particular style, unique in France. It is also a place of pilgrimage for devout fans of OM day of final or big game. Because yes, the "Bonne mère" watching over Marseille, but also on OM...


Vieux Port of Marseille

The Vieux Port (Old Port) of Marseille is a "monument". Between Fort St Jean and Pharo Palace, the entire history of Marseille is fits in this harbor. Browse the walk at the pace leisurely stroll to the south is the opportunity to discover some emblematic elements of the city. The fish market, of course, alive and colorful seven days a week. The Quai of Belgians escapes perpendicular, the famous Canebière. The Old Port is the oldest port of Marseille but also the historical and cultural center of the city.
The Old Port is now a marina that attracts a large crowd met there as well as tourists. His visit offers us a journey through the corridors of time: First, the Stock Exchange Palace or the Charles de Gaulle Place but also the discovery of the City Hall which dates from the late seventeenth century. The Old Port of Marseille is also one of the swarming streets of the city. Marseille's residents love the place with somes restaurants and cafes to party especially on evenings when OM football team wins a title.


Walking on the Corniche

From Endoume to Prado beaches, the Kennedy corniche along the sea on 5 km. It offers one of the most beautiful landscapes of Marseille and the Mediterranean islands. It is also the favorite race of Marseille joggers. On the hills, overlooking the sea, are magnificent villas of the nineteenth century. This place is wonderful. Evening summers, you can see volleyers played on the Prophet beaches or people taking their guitars and singing around a picnic with friends. Strolling on the Corniche , it is also see the "Vallon des Auffes", picturesque port of Marseille, like a postcard. Guests can enjoy the best pizza in Marseille "Chez Jeannot " there.



Mucem and Major Cathedral

Located at 5 minutes walk from the Old Port, the Museum of Civilization in Europe and the Mediterranean is a national museum located in Marseille, France. It opened on June 7 SINCE 2013. In three years, the MUCEM National Museum exhibits multiple expositions and  became a symbol of Marseille with its exceptional architectural beauty, and I advise you to spend the evening to see the lights who are fabulous. In the same aera than the MUCEM (as you can see on the picture) we found the imposing Cathedral of the Major. The inside of the building is magnificent as much as the outside.


The Panier

Finally I wanted to finish by the "Panier". Behind the Mayor of Marseille is the oldest neighborhood of Marseille, there are small colorful streets very narrow and steep. Le Panier welcomed several waves of immigration which Italian, Corsican and Comorian. The area has remained popular and many new Marseilles settled there for its typical side. This is clearly the heart of Marseille, the last quarter retracing its history. At its heart, the center of the Old Charity Houses among others the beautiful museum of African Arts, Pacific and Indian.

Where have a drink in Marseille ? Top 5

Marseille has a beautiful living environment to hang out with its friends, espacially when the warm weather arrives and summer looming. Although Marseille is not a city known for partying, there is nevertheless breathtaking places and I'll try to give you some address of them. You want a drink with friends in an idyllic or original place? So follow me and see it all!

Le Petit Pavillon

Address: 54 Corniche President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 13007 Marseille

Located beachfront on the ledge, the little house is both a restaurant and a swim facility as it was called at the time for the place, as it is now, when still in the early 20th century. With the approach of summer, Le Petit Pavilion is the unavoidable spot aperitifs between friends. Thursdays are organized aperture, facing the sunset, overlooking the sea. The place is crowded, think to arrive early. All the ingredients for a good time, the view to the ocean air through the musical sets always at the forefront. You can take the opportunity to come in the early afternoon, taking a small bathroom (there is a pier that leads directly into the sea) then you Qench during afternoon on good sound. A highly recommended place if you like trendy places.

Rooftop R2 Marseille

Adress : Centre Commercial Les Terrasses du Port, 9 Quai du Lazaret, 13002 Marseille

Posh place of Marseille, but an exceptional place. Ranked in the top 10 of the most beautiful rooftop of the world to partying, you should definitely come to spend an evening on the Rooftop. Several events are scheduled on different days:
- La Musicale, every Friday (From soul to funk, via rock or pop the French),
- Les Hauts Paradis every Saturday (The team of Les Jardins Suspendus mirrorball his fate to welcome legends of electro-disco and make us dance all summer)
- Les Jardins Suspendus every Sunday (Return of lazy Sundays and house music of the Hanging Gardens! An elegant programming that will scroll national and international dj's.).
If you're feeling peckish, The Refectoire is here to serve you (restaurant located below the Rooftop R2 Marseille and run by pros Burger, Burger's Banquet.
( Be careful though because the prices are excessive.)



Le Carry Nation
Adress : Secret

Maybe the most original bar of the Marseille. A clandestine bar !
You only can go there by booking on internet and from outside, nobody can guess that behind this Marseille gift Shop it hides a clandestine bar.
Cocktails around 10 € are excellent and the atmosphere is special (non-smoking main room but a smoking room is available at the bar from the bottom ). To leave the ordinary bars and mark the occasion with your own friends, this is definitely the bar for you. Do not be afraid.  

Les Halles de la Major

Adress : 12 Quai de la Tourette, 13002 Marseille

If Les Halles are primarily a place of gastronomy where fishmongers , butchers or caterers abound, Les Halles de la Major are also events open to all.
For night owls, from 20h, different groups surrounded the premises and offer an evening in the Halles de la Major. The services offered are diverse and varied : " finger food " tasting platters, cocktails made ​​by our merchants to enjoy while listening to music you enjoy.

20 000 lieux sous la Bière
Adress : 12 Boulevard Alexandre Delabre, 13008 Marseille

Take your car and go to the extremity of Marseille, the Goudes to discover Pub decorated like the Nautilus and beautiful setting. The location of this bar is amazing. Set on a large terrace overlooking the sea. At the time of the sunset , drinking a beer and eating a pizza takes an exceptional dimension and the work day that we just passed is quickly forgotten .

Bonus : Le Petit Nice

Adress : 28 Place Jean Jaurès, 13001 Marseille

Located in the popular area of La Plaine , Le Petit Nice is the place where pastis cost 1€50 (the cheapest in Marseille ), Beer 3 €. The terrace is overcrowed everytime (from 17h ) and the service is simply great.

A server that slap tickets , a wisecracking waiter , a smiling waitress , a boss who puts his hand to the dough and helps its employees behind the bar!
I just love this bar you see everything there. People who like to come here, quick and friendly service, spend evenings from 15h to 23h without breaking the bank !
I can not even count how many evenings I spent here with my friends.

Inevitably , I could talk about Carmine, the Red Lion, the Mama Shelter , Café du Major, the Rooftop of the Sofitel Vieux Port , Café de l'Abbey , the Bistrot Plage or the Intercontinental Hotel bar. Marseille offers breathtaking places for all budgets, all the trends . If all this is not a good reason to come ...

The Calanques National Park

In this new article, I'll take you in the Calanques National Park, indispensably a place to be and unique place in the world. But our British friends not possibly know what the Calanques (or Creeks).

A Calanques is a particular geological formation in the form of a deep valley with steep sides, partially submerged by the sea. They are found in that form around the Mediterranean, and under this name in South East of France.

Dug in a resistant limestone or granite rock, creeks consist of many landscapes of the Mediterranean coasts. In the creeks of Provence, the sea has exploited geological faults in the limestone, giving the coast a very jagged profile.

The sea water is often fresher because many streams flow into the sea, under the surface, with an underground network that collects runoff from the mountains and plateaus. Thus, a large underground river flow ends in the creek of Port-Miou, almost at sea level; it seems to come from the Massif de la Sainte-Baume. The multiplicity of creeks on the coast of massive Marseilleveyre in southern Marseille, gave this mountain called "Calanques".

Hence the name "Creeks" often refers to the mass in question, not just the creeks themselves.The Calanques stretches over 20 km long and 4 km wide between Les Goudes, south-west of Marseille and Cassis. Its highlights are the top Marseilleveyre (432 m) and Mont Puget (565 m).

The nature lovers and walking or the bathers will love to relax in turquoise water thus find their paradise. This place is worldwide recognized and is a few hours away by walk. If I could give you an advise, you should go to my favorites calanques which are Sormiou, Sugiton and Morgiou, you'll be not disapointed. It is also possible to make a tour by boat from the Vieux Port in Marseille or from Cassis.

Olympique de Marseille

Those who know me know : Support OM is an integral part of my life and this since my childhood. This may seem incredible, or even stupid to some people, but Marseille is a city that breathes football, like Glasgow which is beating at the rhythm of the Celtic's games at Celtic Park and Rangers's games at Ibrox. A common point between Marseille and Glasgow.


The Passion

As I said above, the Football passion in my city is unrivaled in France. You can talk about OM with children, adults and with seniors and seeing them excited by mentioning the latest results of the team. This feeling takes you to the guts when OM plays, a defeat will make the strongest supporters of bad moods for the entire week. Before arriving in September in Glasgow, I subscribed to North Stand (at Fanatics Group) and this for several years. The club has 8 groups of fans which are distributed in North and South Stands. These groups are the hallmarks of the Velodrome making it one of the noisiest stadiums in France. The Velodrome has 67,000 seats and is the largest stadium in the French championship. My passion for OM pushed me to go out of South borders to see OM at Lille or Reims lately. You should know that thousands of fans from all over France moves to see the matches of the Marseille team.


The palmares

To understand this, one must know that OM is a legendary club in France, the most emblematic. Its record speaks for itself and makes it one of the most successful clubs in France (11 earned championships , the last in 2010. 10 France Cup and 1 Champions League in 1993 for major titles).

OM experienced a long period without any title. After his title of France Champion in 1993, the club has been demoted to the second division. If OM back quickly in D1, the club will experience a long period without any title despite 2 finals of the UEFA Cup (1999 and 2004) and 2 France Cup finals (2006 and 2007), all lost. It was not until 2010 and the League and Cup double for review OM win a title under the command of Didier Deschamps.


An unpredictable club

The club has also  another specificity : it never happens anything as expected.. Tranquility doesn't exist. He will always happen an event that will make the headlines of French newspapers. This is one of the reasons why I love my club, or sometimes hate it. That was the case during this evening of August 8 2015, where Marcelo Bielsa, who was the OM headcoach ( idolized ) decided to resign, taking everyone to walk against. You will therefore understand, it is not advisable to support this club if you have cardial problems...


One last word...

You will therefore understand, this is a unique club in France and Europe, and I advise you to go see a football game at the Velodrome Stadium if you are visiting Marseille and that OM plays in Marseille at the same time, you will not be disappointed.