Spirited and edgy Marseille, France
Copyright Millie Brown
Copyright Millie Brown
Copyright Millie Brown
Le Panier, the oldest area of Marseille
Copyright Millie Brown
La Plaine and it's street art
Copyright Millie Brown
Copyright Millie Brown
Copyright Millie Brown
Copyright Millie Brown
Rudy Riccioto's MuCEM
Copyright Millie Brown
Copyright Millie Brown
Copyright Millie Brown
Marseille has been described as 'the grit in the Cote d'Azur oyster' and even though I have never thought of Marseille as being part of the Cote d'Azur or French Riviera I love the analogy, and its also exactly how I love a city; raw, spirited, edgy and old, 2600 years old! Making it the oldest city in France.
An ancient port city founded by the Phoenicians and earlier known as Massilia or Massalia.
The old port was where I gravitated to each morning, the light being of such beauty that I'd jump out of bed and race the 15 minute walk, each morning quicker than the one before, desperate not to miss a second of it.
Surrounded by honey colored forts, the port is bursting with gleaming sailing boats, and watched over by the magnificent Cathedral Notre Dame de la Garde set up high on Garde hill. Here I photographed the small mediterranean fishing boats arriving into shore with their catch, trailed by flocks of hungry sea gulls, and the bustling fish market that sits only meters from the boats.
I shamelessly stalked the sublime MuCEM, located at the entrance of the port (a National museum dedicated to the cultures of the Mediterranean) returning over and over again at different times of the short winter day to photograph the changing light filtering through its stunning and perfectly square facade of lace like concrete.
Marseille is a colorful city with an intoxicating mix of cultures, architecture, scents, tastes, experiences, art, culture and people, its a city and coastline that deserves your attention at any time of the year.
FINE ART LIMITED EDITION FRENCH RIVIERA PRINTS
Head to the shop to take a look at the French Riviera fine art limited edition prints from the Into The Blue Collection HERE
Millie x
More images of Marseille can be seen on my Portfolio Travel 1 & 2 Galleries