Marseille Half Day City Sightseeing and Walking Excursion S3450

Description

• Air-conditioned and licensed round-trip transportation from your Marseille Cruise pier!
  
• English-certified speaking guide!
  
• Sightseeing of Marseille!
  
• Walk through the Vieux Port and Palais Longchamp!
  
• Visit the Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde!
  

Take in some of the old-world charm and beauty of Marseille France on this guided sightseeing adventure See some sights up close on a guided walk Meet your guide in the ... Read More

Take in some of the old-world charm and beauty of Marseille, France, on this guided sightseeing adventure! See some sights up close on a guided walk.

Meet your guide in the morning at your Marseille cruise terminal, where you will board your air-conditioned transportation for an amazing sightseeing experience! Your first stop is the Palais Longchamp. Built in the mid-1800s, this monument was erected in honor of the Marseille Canal opening. There are 3 main parts to the Palais Lonchamp - the chateau d'eau, the east wing of the palace which houses the Musee des Beaux-Arts (Fine Arts Museum), and the west wing which house the Museum d'Histoire Naturelle (Natural History Museum).

The park in which it is located has been listed as one of the Notable Gardens of France. The exquisite fountain in front of the palace consists of several sculptures. Its water drains into a waterfall-like structure and then into 12 bronze fountains that flow into another pond! The English garden located behind the palace is breathtaking with its landscape and trees that are over 100 years old.

Your next stop is the famous Basilica de Notre-Dame de la Garde, perhaps the city's most well-known symbol! At the highest point in Marseille, the church was built on the site of an ancient fort with construction lasting for 21 years. Its mosaics are among the most magnificent, depicting a variety of biblical scenes including Noah's Arc, Jacob's ladder, the burning bush, the Tablets of the Law, and a menorah among others. All of the mosaics had been damaged by bullets or shells during the war but were lovingly restored by 2001.

Time to move on to a couple of other stops, one being the Palais Pharo Napoleon built by Napoleon III. You will also go to Porte d'Aix. This triumphal arch marks the old entry to Marseille from Aix-en-Provence. Constructed in the style of the Roman Empire, it was built to honor Louis XIV. Commemorating the Peace of Paris in 1783, the facades depict the four great battles. Since the structure was not adequately weather-proofed, it deteriorated significantly and, although it was restored, only four of its statues remain.

Your final stop is the Vieux Port (the Old Port), which has been a natural harbor since antiquity. It is now primarily a pedestrian area containing many shops and restaurants. Your guide will share the history of the port from its time as a trading post to being a hub for maritime activity. This magnificent area was the setting for "The Count of Monte Crist" by Alexandre Dumas, as well as several scenes in the James Bond novel, "On Her Majesty's Secret Service". You will have a little more than an hour to explore this area and, if you like, have lunch at your own expense.

Your guide will return you to your Marseille cruise terminal at the end of this spectacular adventure!