From lazy outdoor café to fine museum
Marseille is proud to call itself the oldest city in France. And it seems as if the older, the livelier. This is certainly true of the old port, which plays an important role in the city’s social and cultural life and where the day and evening entertainment doesn’t end at the eateries along the water. A short walk away is the brand-new MuCEM museum and medieval Fort Saint-Jean. The City Hall, Saint-Victor Abbey and the spectacular-looking Villa Méditerranée are also close by. The latter houses a cultural museum that was appropriately designed by Italian architect Stefano Boeri in the shape of the letter C. The port itself is perfect for relaxing after a museum visit or simply for strolling and people watching from a sunny outdoor café.
Hemp main street
Marseille was once an important trading centre for cannabis. In the past, this plant was known for qualities quite different than today, namely for its strong fibres which were perfect for making ship’s rope. The street, which runs from the Saint-Vincent-de-Paul church (also known as Les Réformés) to the old port, got its name from this trade: La Canebière. It continues to be the lifeline of the city. Like the port, La Canebière is undergoing a major renovation to return it to its former grandeur.
