Sunny Marseille

Tapas with a difference

Ian — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:27:09 +0000

Look out for the clock

La Tasca is a hidden gem. This buzzing tapas restaurant is tucked away in a quiet (for Marseille) side street off La Plaine in the heart of the city.

You barely notice the facade, so look for the clock on the wall and the friendly man on the door. Inside is a different story. You enter a world of rich red, extravagant lighting, and powerful mojito cocktails.

First you hit the bar for an aperitif while you wait (you always have to wait). Then you go through to a cosy restaurant but, if you’re lucky, you’ll get a table in the extraordinary courtyard at the back. It’s always busy (book well in advance) and often hectic but that’s half of the appeal. The tapas is varied with lots of amazing seafood and reasonably priced and the waiters are good looking and good fun.

La Tasca, 102 Rue Ferrari, 13005 Marseille

www.latasca.fr

Marseille prepares for 2013…

Ian — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:35:13 +0000

Enjoy the fantastic images of Marseille and the surrounding areas as it prepares to become the European city of culture in 2013.

Winter sun

Ian — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 09:02:33 +0000

The sun’s out, the accordionist is playing, fresh sardines are being sold off the boats in the Vieux Port and the bistro terraces are filling up.

A typical winter’s day in Marseille.

Winter sun in Marseille

The best pizza in Marseille

Ian — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:17:52 +0000

Looking for great pizza in Marseille? Ignore the restaurants around the Vieux Port (except for the excellent La Vieille Pelle) and look for the roadside pizza vans.

These little lorries, equipped with wood fired pizza ovens, are dotted throughout the city and have a loyal following among locals in the know. They are worth trying not only for the pizza but to try to get to grips with the Marseille accent and banter!

Our favourite is Lolo Pizza on Place du 4 Septembre in the 7^th arrondisement, where the pizzas are cooked to perfection by the lovely ‘Lolo’ (we’re not sure if that’s his real name!). The pizza base is not too heavy and the tomato sauce is delicious!

Lolo's "Camion Pizza"

Beach volleyball anyone?

Ian — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 22:52:48 +0000

It’s December 10 and they are stripped to the waist playing volleyball on Catalan beach. Across the road, they are drinking pastis in the sun. C’est Marseille.

Beach volleyball at Catalan Beach, Marseille

Christmas greetings from Rue Saint Saens

Ian — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 12:05:40 +0000

The prize for the best Christmas decorations in Marseille must go to Rue Saint Saens this year.

Rue Saint Saens is one of the oldest, most atmospheric streets in Marseille, with the opera house at one end, Place aux Huiles at the other, and a fountain in the middle. The delicate canope of white lights hanging above the restaurants near Place aux Huiles is very tasteful by Marseille standards.

The Canebiere, meanwhile, is something to behold. A crazy mesh of flashing white lights are suspended above the Christmas market and giant ferris wheel. Subtle it’s not but we don’t love Marseille for its subtlety!

The Marines hit Marseille

Ian — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 13:49:10 +0000

More than 5,000 US marines are in Marseille this weekend giving the city’s bars and restaurants a welcome boost.

USS HW Bush, a 100,000 tonne nuclear-powered ‘supercarrier’ docked in Marseille on Friday for four days. It carries 5,300 marines and 74 planes and helicopters.

The local paper, La Provence, estimates that if each marine who leaves the ship spends 150 euros, it would boost the local economy by 400,000 euros per day.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_George_H.W._Bush_(CVN-77)

http://www.laprovence.com/article/mer/le-maitre-des-oceans-en-escale-a-marseille

Marseille – European Capital of Culture 2013

Ian — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 23:39:59 +0000

A new website has been launched to promote Marseille-Provence 2013, European Capital of Culture. The site includes details of the massive programme of events being planned throughout 2013 including:

400 cultural events
60 exhibitions
Numerous festivals, workshops, art installations and participative projects

Marseille-Provence 2013 will showcase artistic work from not only Marseille and its region but throughout the Mediterranean, reflecting the multiculturalism of the city and its historic connections.
Marseille is undergoing a dramatic transformation in the run up to 2013. The docks are being rebuilt to welcome the world’s biggest cruise liners just outside the beautiful Vieux Port. New museums and galleries are under way and workshops have been started to involve local people in cultural events. It’s going to be an extraordinary year in an extraordinary city!
Find out more at: http://www.mp2013.fr/?lang=en

The Monte Cristo challenge

Andy — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 07:07:00 +0000

Would you like to recreate Edmund Dante’s escape from chateau d’if?
Le défi de monte cristo

Marseille’s many beaches

Andy — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 06:51:29 +0000

It’s easy to visit Marseille and see the Vieux Port, Notre Dame de la Garde, le Canebiere and Chateau d’If and not realise that Marseille has miles of beaches. Take the 83 bus from Vieux Port or ride around the Corniche using le velo scheme and you’ll find the most amazing coast line.

The first beach you’ll find is la Plage des Catalans, a very sheltered and often very crowded sandy beach but keep going and you’ll find Plage du Prophete, Plage du Prado and if you’re very fit and very determined Pointe Rouge.

As of 1st June, the official beach season has started and most beaches will have life guards and locker where you can leave you things while having a dip in the Mediterranean.

La Plage du Prado is currently home to the “summer stadium” with numerous sporting events taking place (most for free).