City Drive & Notre-Dame de la Garde

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

Impressive Marseilles is France's largest commercial port, and after setting anchor at the harbor, you will no doubt be itching to get to know the largest French city on the Mediterranean coast, a little better.

This half-day tour is a mix of driving and walking, and there will be stair-climbing involved as you explore this town that boasts a healthy industry, with a quaint fish market that's held daily in the Old Port in the morning.

You will meet your guide at the pier, and after boarding the bus, enjoy a narrated drive through Marseille itself, passing the forts of St. Nicholas and St. John, before traveling along the Canebiere, Marseille's main street, and on to the Vieux Port.

One notable visit will be the Notre-Dame de la Garde, an enormous Basilica that sits on a hill overlooking the city. Boasting superb views of the Vieux Port, the 19th-century cathedral features Néo-Byzantine architecture, while the chapel is adorned with impressive marble, mosaics and multi-colored murals.

You will also pass by the 19th century eclectic Longchamp Palace, which was built to celebrate the opening of the Marseille canal, and features fountains and cascades.

End this glorious tour by stretching your legs along the Old Harbor which dates back to 600 B.C., and was almost destroyed during the Second World War. You will have time to enjoy the sight of fisherman going about their business in the morning, sip a café au lait on the waterfront or browse the many delightful shops for souvenirs and crafts before heading back to the ship.

Special Notes:

This tour involves stairclimbing; there are 3 flights of stairs (exactly 167 steps) to be negotiated at the entrance of the Basilica Notre-Dame de la Garde in Marseille.