I meant to visit the Château d'if on a Monday but it was closed and ended up at Îles du Frioule…read morehiking around and viewing amazing sights. I'm not sure what used to lay beyond the harbor but the seemingly old military buildings are all but crumbled. The hike around the island requires comfortable boots and if the seas are rough being a wind breaker. I was soaked by a rogue wave on the boat ride over! There isn't much beyond the initial row of restaurants except for a few abandoned basketball and tennis courts. Most of the restaurants have similar food and wifi available. Don't expect much in the off season for quality but you will find a friendly host. If you're an outdoor adventurer be sure to add Îles du Frioule on your list of things to see!

This tiny archipelago consists of four islands: Omègues, Ratonneau, If and Tiboulen and is right…read moreoff the shore of the Vieux Port, only a short 45 minute boat ride away. The islands (and the whole coastline of Marseille) are beautiful with their white cliffs, crystal-clear blue water, breathtaking calanques (rocky inlets), and sandy beaches. It is really a paradise. My first day in Marseille, I was lucky enough to get on the last ferry of the afternoon leaving Quai des Belges. I arrived on the main island just in time to run to where I could catch the last rays of the sun setting through a heart-shaped hole in the rocks. What a picture! However, my most lasting memory is from the pier, where I waited for the ferry to take me back to Marseille. It was evening and dozens of men were on the pier with their lanterns fishing for squid. I had never seen anyone catch squid before! They must be easy to catch, because the pier was just covered with squid writhing and gasping their last breaths. What a noise. I'll never forget the sight and sound of hundreds of squid, illuminated by lanterns, gasping for breath.

From the owner: Pour confectionner sa crèche On imagine difficilement la Provence sans ses santons : ces petits…read morepersonnages de terre cuite, généralement façonnés et peints à la main. Marcel Carbonel en fabrique depuis 60 ans suivant ainsi la voie de son grand-père. Vous pourrez également visiter le musée qui présente les techniques de fabrication des santons du XVIIIème à nos jours ainsi que la collection privée de M. Carbonel.