Bouillabaise, Pope's Palaces and Van Gogh... Marseille, Avignon and Arles
January 27th 2008 Marseilles was our next stop and it is apparently the cultural melting pot of France (whatever that means). Straight away though we did notice that it is different from the rest of southern France, a little edgier and with the markings of various cultures. The afternoon we arrived we walked around the old town and down past the Vieux Port. From the port we hiked up the huge hill to the Basillic
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Although ultimately a victor in World Wars I and II, France suffered extensive losses in its empire, wealth, manpower, and rank as a dominant nation-state. Nevertheless, France today is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader am... ... read more 
