ESfO in Marseille, 2005

Two excursions are organised on Saturday morning. There is limited space and we have to follow a first in, first get procedure. So thanks for getting quickly in touch and letting Véronique André as soon as possible know of your interest in joining.

1) Old Town walk: a walk with an English speaking guide through some of the most interesting features of old Marseille (more details below). Price 10 Euros per person (to be paid cash). Max. 60 persons (2 guides). First in first get procedure.

2) Marseilles by the coastal road: a guided (English) drive with a bus along the spectacular coastal landscape around Marseille (more details below). Price 15 Euros per person (to be paid cash). Max. 30 persons. First in first get procedure.

(During reception at the conference, you will also receive information regarding excursions on boat to visit the coast from the see)

The coast around Marseilles

The Old Town
Heart beet of Marseille, The Old Port is also the natural shelter, where greeks coming from Minor Asia, decided in 600 BC to create a new trading port.
It is on the right bank of the « cove » (the Town Hall side) that they landed giving birth to Massalia.
Today, the « Panier District » is what is left of the oldest quarter in France.
In this area, there are a few points not to be missed such as :

The Diamond-Brick House, constructed in 1570 for Pierre Gardiole, a rich
merchant,owes its name to the curious diamond-shaped bossage on its bricks. It was saved from destruction in 1943 and now shows temporary exhibitions.

The Daviel Pavillon, building formerly house of The Law Courts. It was built in the 18th century, with pink stone from the Couronne quarries, in the style of a Provencal country house and currently houses the offices of the City Councillors.

The Hôtel Dieu, built in the 18th century on the site of former hospitals, it was originally designed by Jules Hardouin Mansart’s nephew, then alterred during the Second Empire and set up as a veritable monument to medical science.

The Vieille Charité, chosen place by the City Council in 1640, in accordance with the royal policy of « enclosure of paupers » to group together Marseilles’native poor. In 1670, a charity set up by the Council of Municipal Magistrates commissionned Pieere Puget, the king’s architect and a native of the quarter, to design a general hospital to receive beggars and paupers.
The foundation stone was laid in 1671 of what remains one of Puget’s finest architectural works. The building was not completed until 1749.
The Vieille Charité is made up of 4 wings with no openings to the outside. Witin these walls is a three-storied gallery givingonto an inner courtyard.
Life for poor wretches who were enclosed there was organised around vast communal working and living areas. The men were separated from the women.
In the center of the courtyard is a chapel built between 1679 and 1707. It is the most original work of architecture erected by Pierre Puget in his native city. The chapel facade we can see today dates from 1863, and depicts charity receiving destitute children, surrounded by two pelicans feeding their young.
After the Revolution and up to the end of the 19th century, The Vieille Charité was an old peoples and children’s home.In 1905, the building was occupied by the army and later served as a shelter for the homeless. At the end of the second world war, the architect Le Corbusier noticed the edifice and called the attention to its neglected state. Initially it was destined to be demolished, but eventually, in 1951, it was listd as an historical monument. From 1968, thanks to Malraux act, it underwent remarkable restoration action. Since 1986, The Vieille Charité has housed a multi-disciplinary scientific and cultural centre, with research units, museums and library. Temporary exhibitions areregularly held there. Located in the heart of the Panier, it attracts numerous art lovers.

The New Major Cathedral, built by Esperandieu from 1852 to 1896 respecting Vaudoyer works. Of particular interest is the facade decorated with statues of Christ, the apostles and the saints of Provence.

Marseilles by the coastal road
The left side of The Old Port will leed you along the rocky coast of Marseille, passing by St Victor Abbaye(founded in the 5th century by St Cassien) and one of the most famous in the Middle Ages.
We will continue along St Nicolas fortress, built with its twin brother fortress St John to protect the Royal Power (Louis XIV°) from the powerfull city ; and the « Pharo » Palace, witness of the Second Empire.
From « Les Catalans », begins the coastal road (5 km long) called Corniche J. F. Kennedy that will leed you towards the natural site of the « Calanques » and the delight harbour of « Les Goudes ». On the way, you will have a breathtaking view above the bay and the Frioul archipelago as well as the world famous « If Castle » also known as the prison of Monte Christo.