Take me away to Marseille

The French Riviera epitomises all that is glamorous and fabulous about the south of France, and I send my greetings from this spectacular part of the world. What a difference a four hour journey on the TGV can make, as I have been basking under glorious blue skies every day after arriving from damp and chilly Paris on the train. Just as Paris displays in it's glory all that is old, traditional and romantic about France, the French Riviera and Provence show the brash, young and dynamic side of the country.

The last journal left off after a day trip to super rich Monaco from my hostel in Nice, and my final night back in Nice included going down to the mediterranean just before midnight, and lying on the pebble beach as I listened to music on my ipod in almost total solitude. I briefly saw a pair of lovers down on the beach, which I imagine is a very different state of affairs to visiting Nice in the height of summer. The population shift occuring in France is similar to what is occurring in Australia (but in the opposite direction to the land down under). It seems to be a global phenomenon that people are chasing the sun and sea for a better quality of life, and France is seeing massive growth in the southern cities at the expense of Paris and the north generally. It is similar to the unprecedented growth occurring in sunny Queensland, which is in the north of Australia. The parallels between the two countries are worth noting, and if this population trend continues globally the area around the equator is going to become a very crowded place!

From Nice I checked out of the fabo HI hostel and caught the train along the coast to Marseille, which is the second biggest city in France. The impression I get is of a brash and vibrant city, the population seems to be younger than in the north and it definitely buzzes with a sense of dynamism. The other noticeable difference in the south of France is the friendly and open demeanor of the locals. They seem genuinely pleased that I am visiting, and the HI hostel is pretty much full of French people here. Marseille does not strike me as a huge tourist attraction (especially during winter) but the local people have been very kind and helpful in the south of France. I've been asked on several occasions where I am from, and where I am travelling. This is pretty standard fare when travelling in many countries, but I wasn't asked once during the two weeks spent travelling in Italy.

I spent the first day in Marseille exploring the city including the old port and the exotic markets, which gives an impression of the impressive maritime history of this wonderful city, and also the cultural influence coming out of northern Africa. On the second day I caught a bus along the coast just outside the city proper, and then went for a walk along the coastline to take in the spectacular views on offer. The cliff faces are white, the water is a brilliant blue, and during my visit the weather was perfect. I also saw a ferry steaming into Marseille port emblazoned with Tunisian ferries on her side. That really struck me, and brought home just how close the south of France is to northern Africa. The French, of course, have had a very close relationship with Africa for many years and many of the great French national football players from the modern era are of African descent. Marseille is also one of the stongest clubs in the French national league.

As The Beatles once sang, let's take a sad song and make it better. Marseille previously had a reputation for being a rough and tumble port city, but I've found the French to be serious about cleaning up that old image of the city, and focusing Marseille on it's dynamic future. There is a large police presence here and I've found the people extremely kind and friendly, just as they were in Nice. The south of France has so much to offer for tourists and local French people alike, and I can only imagine the crowds that are drawn to the mediterranean coast during the height of summer. Winter in the south of France feels quite similar to Sydney's winter so far, and it is far warmer than the temperature in northern France at this time of year.

My journey through France then pushed on across country to Toulouse by train, and from there I boarded a connecting train to the fortified city of Carcassonne only one hour away. La Cite is enclosed by two rampart walls and is perched on a hill above Carcassonne in Languedoc provence, and the traditional language Oc is still spoken by some elderly people in the area. For once on this trip the weather was absolutely freezing during my vist at around 5 degrees below zero, but it was great to check into the hostel within the walls of Carcassonne and venture around the old walled city, even if I was huddled over against the biting wind. It is also worthwhile to go down the hill for views of the fortified city, which is spectacularly lit up in the evenings and towers over Carcassonne from it's perch up on the hilltop.

As my journey through France is drawing to a close, the country has taken me in just as it did when I first visited after completing university. The French are a gentle, dignified and kind people and the French language is truly beautiful. It seems that politeness and civility are ingrained in the French language and culture. When you consider also the class and style of the French, along with the views from glorious Paris and the fabulous French Riviera it all means that,.......... basically all of you should be here now!

"All you need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt." Charles M. Schulz

Top 3 Hotels/Restaurants
Auberge de Jeunesse de Bonneveine - Marseille, France
Le Jasmin de Carthage Restaurant Tunisien - Marseille, France
Auberge de Jeunnesse - La Cite Carcassonne, France

Top 3 Sights/Activities
The beach - Nice, France
Walks along the coast - Marseille, France
Fortified city (La Cite) - Carcassonne, France

As I continue my travels, until next time it's signing off for now

Tom

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