France Lyon Mission 2012-2013: "P" day at the Vieux Port

After getting things organized for the week, mom and I went to the Palais du Pharo at the entrance to the Vieux Port. It is a public park that over looks the port. The fort in the back ground behind Jeannine is Fort St Jean. Built in 1660, it is now a museum of European and Mediterranean history. In our travel to the park we went by way of Metro. We take the Metro to the down town area because it is less of a hassle to park. This may bring back fond memories to Aaron and Jared. As we descend the stairs down in to the bowels of the Marseille Metro System there is a familiar smell that slowly penetrates ones sense of smell. Yes, it is the smell of Urine. At first you sniff and think, OH NO! then as you descend further you realize there is no escaping it. At first it is a bit annoying, then one grows accustom to the pungent odor. Then before you know it you can't even recognize it is there. Even if you try to recognize the smell, you can't. It has become a part of your very being. It is at this time you realize you are no longer a visitor. And you say to yourself, "I am one of them". Enjoy the photos.

Panorama of the Vieux Port from Fort St Jean on the left to Notre Dame De La Gard to the right.

Vieux Port, Marseille

I know I took a lot of photos of the Vieux Port, but it is a unique place. All Mediterranean ports are similar, Monaco, Nice, Cannes, Toulon and Marseille, Marseille is the largest of all the French Riviera ports and is the only one with two forts on either side of the entrance. Fort St Jean on the west side and Fort St Nicolas on the east. Both were constructed in 1660. The Vieux Port dwarfs all other ports. It is the oldest of the ports and has the most history. It was used by the Greeks in 600 BC.