Page 157 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Provence & The Côte d'Azur

BOUCHES-DU-RHONE AND NIMES  155

expanded historical museum VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
now sits on the archaeological
site of the Jardin des Vestiges, Practical Information
which has been reclassified Road map C4. * 860,000.
n 11 la Canebière (08 26 50
as Marseille’s ancient sea port. 05 00). ( Mon–Sat. _ Fête
Surrounded by the remains of de la Chandeleur (2 Feb).
the port, with its fortifications ∑ marseille-tourisme.com
and docks dating from the Transport
1st century, visitors can k 25 km (15 miles) NW
follow the paved Roman road Marseille. £ @ pl Victor Hugo.
leading to the entrance of the g SNCM, 61 bd des Dames;
museum. The museum retraces Chateau d’If ferry, Quai des Belges.
the history of the city and its
port, from prehistoric times
to the present day, around south of the town at 155 m
the theme of navigation. Basilique de Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde (500 ft), is a 19th-century Neo-
There are ten maritime in Marseille Byzantine extravaganza. It
wrecks, including the hull is presided over by a golden
of an important 3rd-century E Musée Borély – la Musée Madonna on a 46-m (150-ft)
ship and seven ancient Greek des Arts Décoratif, de la bell tower. Much of the interior
and Roman vessels. Other Mode et de la Faïence decoration is by the Düsseldorf
interesting exhibits include Château Borély, 134 av Clôt Bey. School. Many come for the
medieval ceramics, a relief Tel 04 91 55 33 60. Open Tue–Sun. incomparable view over the city.
map of the city as it was Closed public hols. & 7 =
in 1848 and sarcophagi ∑ culture.marseille.fr/patrimoine- E Musée Grobet-Labadié
unearthed at nearby excavations. culturel/le-château-borély 140 blvd Longchamp. Tel 04 91 62
A visit to the museum ends Château Borély, a masterpiece of 21 82. Closed for renovation (call for
with displays on the latest 18th-century architecture, now details). & 8 ∑ culture.marseille.
developments in Marseille houses an exhibition devoted fr/les-musees-de-marseille
and predictions about the to decorative arts and furniture, To the north of the city, at the top
future of the city. fashion from the 17th century of boulevard Longchamp, is the
to the present day, and earthen- finest house in Marseille, with one
ware and ceramics. Outdoor of the most unusual interiors in
shows and concerts take place the region. It was built in 1873 for
in the château’s gardens. a Marseille merchant, Alexandre
Labadié. The house and its
R Abbaye de St-Victor collection were given to the city in
Pl St-Victor. Tel 04 96 11 22 60. Open 1919 by his daughter, Marie-Louise.
daily. & for crypt. ∑ saintvictor.net The Musée Grobet-Labadié
Marseille’s finest piece of religious has a fine furniture collection,
architecture is St Victor’s basilica, tapestries, 17th–19th century
between Notre-Dame and the paintings, and many objects
port. This religious fortress of interest, including unusual
belonged to one of the most musical instruments, among
powerful abbeys in Provence. It them silk and ivory bagpipes.
was founded in the 5th century
by a monk, St Cassian, in honour
of St Victor, martyred two centu-
ries earlier.There are crypts
containing catacombs, sarcophagi
The Jardin des Vestiges, Greek ruins outside and the cave of St Victor.
the Musée d’Histoire de Marseille On 2 February St-Victor becomes
a place of pilgrimage. Boat-shaped
E Musée Cantini cakes are sold to commemorate
19 rue Grignan. Tel 04 91 54 77 75. the legendary arrival in Provence
Open Tue–Sun. Closed public hols. of the Stes-Maries (see p45).
& 8 ∑ culture.marseille.fr
The Musée Cantini is housed R Basilique de Notre-Dame-
in the 17th-century Hôtel de de-la-Garde
Montgrand. Its collection of Rue Fort du Sanctuaire. Tel 04 91
20th-century art, donated along 13 40 80. Open daily. -
with the building by the sculptor ∑ notredamedelagarde.com
Jules Cantini, includes Fauve, The basilica of Notre-Dame-de- Detail of The Flagellation of Christ, in the The Flagellation of Christ, in the The Flagellation of Christ
Cubist and Surrealist paintings. la-Garde, which dominates the Musée Grobet-Labadié