Marseille

Although part of the region of Provence, Marseille has a soul of its own. Founded in 600 b.c. by the Greek sailors of Phocaea, Marseille is the oldest city in France and surely the most complex. In the time of the French colonies, Marseille was the gateway to the Mediterranean. Today Marseille remains a capitol of southern Europe, cosmopolitan and exuberant, with its picturesque old port, its Bouillabaisse and its folklore.

Notre-Dame de la Garde, Marseille (the church is situated on the hill)

Longchamp Palace from Marseille features an allegoric group of the Durance River and the statues of vine and wheat. Note the fisherman’s net and fish on the column. The bulls from camargue draw the chariot.

These stairs lead to Marseille Main Train Station. But before you tire yourself climbing them, be advised that just around the corner there is another more modern entrance with mechanical stairs.

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The Azay-le-Rideau Castle

The Azay-le-Rideau Castle is one of the earliest French Renaissance châteaux constructed in the Loire Valley. Built on an island in the Indre River, 15 miles southwest of Tours (and about 150 miles southwest of Paris), its foundations rise straight out of the water. One of the many impressive features of the Azay-le-Rideau Castle is the central staircase, with open windows overlooking the courtyard, a very novel idea for the time it was built. The Azay-le-Rideau Castle is 'L' shaped, the two arms enclosing the courtyard and terminating in round towers (19th century additions). One can only marvel at the charming and majestic Azay-le-Rideau Castles that reflects such serenity and projects the image of a certain gentle and romantic way of life or haven of peace. It is hard to imagine that until the reign of François 1st, the Azay-le-Rideau Castle had a defensive objective and looked like all the fortresses of the area.

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