More on Marseille

Marseille is the second largest city in France and its largest commercial port. The main street is a wide boulevard called the Canebi`ere and it runs from the Old Port to the Reformes quarter. There are two large forts at the entrance of the Old Port - Fort St. Nicolas and Fort St. Jean. We will be staying in Fort St. Jean. Further out in the bay is Chateau d' If, made famous in The Count of Monte Cristo.

Although Wikipedia says humans have inhabited Marseille for almost 30,000 years, we can assume it has been a long time. The city was founded by the Greeks in 600BC and was one of the first Greek ports of Western Europe.

It was during the Roman rule that Christianity first appeared. There are catacombs above the harbor and records of Roman martyrs. According to tradition, Mary Magdalen and Lazarus came to Marseille to evangelize. We will see Lazarus' second tomb ( since Jesus raised him from the dead from the first one).

Here is some interesting food that we might find. Be sure to try some if you have the chance!

• Pastis, an alcoholic beverage made with aniseed and spice, the "Guinness of Southern France", it is an institution seen on every table
• Fougasse, typical Provençal bread
• Aïoli, a sauce made from raw garlic, lemon juice, eggs and olive oil, served with boiled fish, hard boiled eggs and cooked vegetables^[41]
• Tapenade, a paste made from capers, chopped olives and olive oil (sometimes anchovies may be added)
• Bouillabaisse, a fish soup containing assorted shellfish, fish and vegetables, served with rouille, toasted bread (croûtes) and often grated cheese ^[42][43]
• Anchoïade, a paste made from anchovies, garlic, black olives and olive oil, served with raw vegetables
• Panisse, a pastry made from chickpea flour
• Navette, a small hard biscuit in the shape of a boat, flavoured with orange blossom^[44]
• Bourride, a fish dish made with monkfish, mayonnaise and a vegetable brunoise ^[45]
• Pieds-paquets, a dish prepared from pig's trotters, sheep or pork tripe and lard