The shoreline and port area of Marseille are flat but only one block inland, the ground rises steeply. Walking around the sights of Marseille means climbing hills. The weather forecast was for rain so we decided to try the Colorbus, Marseille’s version of a hop on hop off tour bus.

There was a stop very close to the hotel.

We went into a nearby residential neighbourhood built on the rocky incline.

Unfortunately the photos through the window aren’t good. But you can see the rocky and steep climb.

The neighbourhood near Notre Dame de la Garde

Notre Dame de la Garde is a church built on top of one of the highest hills with great views of the city.

The only remaining part of the old city wall

old city hall

MUCEM area

area where ropes for ships were made needed wide straight streets

We saw a lot more of the city but I didn’t take photos. We got off at the Vieux Port and had a quick lunch. One of the side streets near the Vieux Port:

A little park looking towards the Pharo, old lighthouse:

I walked down to the Plage Catalan next to our hotel where you could see the front of the hotel.

The lowest area is the spa and treatment rooms where we went for a massage.

Above, a view of Plage Catalan. This area was a fishing village which Alexandre Dumas wrote about in his novel, The Count of Monte Cristo, thus making it famous. The beach itself is the most popular in the city because of its easy access.

Below, the view from the circular platform where people exercise, fish and enjoy the view.

For dinner we went to Nestou, a small restaurant featuring local ingredients. They won an award for their bouillabaisse, but it wasn’t on the menu that night. The crab soup was similar.

Poached oysters

Duck with a large kale leaf

French tonic water

Gnocchi with stracchiatella, tomato and coriander