About Marseille, France:
A port city in southern France, Marseille, is known for its Vieux-Port (Old Port), where fishmongers sell their catch along the boat-lined quay. Any visitor to Marseille will be quick to notice the magnificent Basilica perched high above the city. The Basilica has a turbulent history, having survived wars, the French revolution, a battle fought here during World War II, and the ravages of time.
Many of the buildings around the port were damaged or destroyed during World War II and, in similar fashion to what was done in Warsaw, many of them were built to closely resemble their appearance before the war.
According to tradition, a group of Christians including Saint Mary Magdalene and her sister Martha, along with Lazarus and Maximin, arrived here after local authorities had them pushed out in a boat without sails, oars or a rudder, expecting them to drown. Through God’s providence, they did not drown, but arrived in Provence and began to evangelize.
Mary Magdalene eventually found her way to Saint-Maximin-La-Sainte Baume.
A treat not to be missed are the special boat-shaped cookies made here, called “les navettes”, a tradition to mark the arrival of Mary Magdalene and her companions. One of the most famous bakeries in Marseille, “Four des Navettes” specializes in these cookies. They have been in business since 1791!
Catholic places of interest in Marseille:
Basilique Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde (our Lady of the Guard) Romanesque-Byzantine church overlooking the city.
The Abbey of Saint Victor (tomb of Saint John Cassian)
The Marseille Cathedral (Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-Majeure) beautiful Cathedral, one of the largest in France.
Traveling to Marseille, France:
By air: Marseille-Provence Airport (MRS) is the local airport.
By train: There is train service from many other cities. The station is centrally located.
By ship: Many major cruise lines offer Marseille as a port of call on Mediterranean cruises and some cruise lines also offer cruises that depart from Marseille.