By the time we got to Marseilles/Aix en Provence, I don't think we knew which
end was up! Go ... go ... go!
This area on the French coast westward to the Spanish boarder changed ownership
several times over the centuries, finally becoming a permanent part of France
in the 1600s. For most of its 2500 year history, it has been an important trading
port on the Med.
Marseilles was settled by Greeks in 600 BC. Over the centuries, it rose and
declined as a major trading port, trading with countries in Africa and the Near
and Far East. The city lapsed into decline, but regained importance with the
opening of the Suez Canal. Since then, its fame or infamy has rested on its
location as a crossroads. Its gangster reputation came from the old days,
accented by many French films and the American film "The French Connection".
We toured another ancient church and the tree lined streets of Aix en Provence.
Before the trip, Sherralyn got us hooked on watching Rick Steve's Europe on PBS
and the last shots are from one of the picturesque streets featured in his show.