Marseilles, located in the South of France on the Mediterranean Sea, is a popular stop on a Western Mediterranean cruise. Founded in the 6th Century by the Greeks, Marseilles today is France's oldest and third largest city behind Paris and Lyon. If you visit here by cruise ship, you will dock in the New Port, one of Europe's largest cruise ports. Last year alone it hosted more than 600,000 cruise visitors. The New Port is situated north of Old Port (Vieux Port). Vieux Port is a major commercial port also teaming with restaurants, shops, galleries, and boats of all sizes, and the place where visitors to Marseilles often find themselves. Walking into the city or Vieux Port from the cruise terminal is not feasible; plan to take a cab or an organized excursion during your stay.
Although many who visit Marseilles find it to be a city of little charm, it serves as the gateway for Provence and for this reason, it is a wonderful launching pad to explore the magnificent countryside of Southern France. We recommend using your day in Marseilles to tour the ancient city of Avignon and the famous wine region of Chateauneuf-du-Pope.
Avignon has a rich history. Here, the famous Pope's Palace stands. Overlooking the scenic Rhone River, the Pope's Palace is an imposing structure that dates to the 14th Century. Its history is a fascinating lesson in the Papacy. In 1307, the first non-Italian -- Clement V, a Frenchman -- was elected Pope. Clement V left Rome shortly after his ascendancy and took up residence in Avignon to escape the continuing conflicts in Rome. A succession of French Popes thereafter eventually led to a schism in the late 14th Century within the Catholic Church, with the Pope (Italian) and Anti-Pope (French) both claiming their status as Pope of the Catholic Church.
Built during the reigns of Popes Benedict XII & Clement VI, the Pope's Palace is amazingly well preserved. It is the biggest Gothic structure built in Europe. During its time, the Palace was adorned with elaborate frescoes on the walls and beautiful hand-painted tile floors. Today, much of this is gone with a few exceptions. For example, the original frescoes in Benedict XII's bedroom are still visible, and the Pope's private office, called the Deers Room, is painted with elaborate hunting and fishing scenes with the deers on the walls symbolizing Christ. Also gone from the Palace is the original Popes' furniture, sold in the late 19th Century after the French Revolution. Nevertheless, a walk through the amazing structure, with its towering ceilings and room-after-room of living space, is more than worth the visit.
After touring the Pope's Palace, Avignon itself deserves a tour. Avignon is surrounded by walls constructed during the reign of Pope Innoncent VI, also in the 14th Century. In June and July, the international theater here attracts 60,000 people. Avignon offers a plethora of outdoor cafes and restaurants, and shops galore famous for table linens, French soaps, and other items unique to Provence. Before moving on, dine here in one of the many fine offerings and simply watch the scenes unfold around you. For budget conscience travels, find a cafe that offers carry out, choose one of the many delicious sandwiches available on a French beget, and park yourself on a bench or under a tree to enjoy simply being in this ancient city.
Once you are ready to leave Avignon, a short ride will take you to the famous wine-growing region of Chateauneuf-du-Pope. The region served as the summer residence for the second French Pope, John XXII, which led to its name. There are 220 winery owners in Chateauneuf-du-Pope. The average vineyard size here is 20 hectares, and all of Chateauneuf-du-Pope combined comprises 3,200 hectares (approximately 780 acres). The wine production in the region consists of 90% red wines and 10% white wines. The vineyards' soil is covered completely with rocks; these rocks take the heat of the sun during the day and return it to the vines at night. The grapes are all picked by hand, one of the many rules that govern the production of wines in the Chateauneuf-du-Pope region.
There are many fine wineries to visit in the region. All offer stunning vistas overlooking the rolling hills of this beautiful countryside. We visited Mousett, a very old winery in the region. Its grounds and structure offer a uniquely French experience, with a large onsite tasting bar. Here, we tasted five of the winery's excellent offerings, along with a selection of light foods and olives, another major commodity of Provence.
When the day was over and we returned to the ship, we all felt like we had gotten a true taste of Provence, and look forward to our visit here next year. If you would like to join us on next year's wine cruise aboard the River Royale of Uniworld along the Rhone River, please click here for information. Then give us a call for additional information.
Although many who visit Marseilles find it to be a city of little charm, it serves as the gateway for Provence and for this reason, it is a wonderful launching pad to explore the magnificent countryside of Southern France. We recommend using your day in Marseilles to tour the ancient city of Avignon and the famous wine region of Chateauneuf-du-Pope.
Avignon has a rich history. Here, the famous Pope's Palace stands. Overlooking the scenic Rhone River, the Pope's Palace is an imposing structure that dates to the 14th Century. Its history is a fascinating lesson in the Papacy. In 1307, the first non-Italian -- Clement V, a Frenchman -- was elected Pope. Clement V left Rome shortly after his ascendancy and took up residence in Avignon to escape the continuing conflicts in Rome. A succession of French Popes thereafter eventually led to a schism in the late 14th Century within the Catholic Church, with the Pope (Italian) and Anti-Pope (French) both claiming their status as Pope of the Catholic Church.
Built during the reigns of Popes Benedict XII & Clement VI, the Pope's Palace is amazingly well preserved. It is the biggest Gothic structure built in Europe. During its time, the Palace was adorned with elaborate frescoes on the walls and beautiful hand-painted tile floors. Today, much of this is gone with a few exceptions. For example, the original frescoes in Benedict XII's bedroom are still visible, and the Pope's private office, called the Deers Room, is painted with elaborate hunting and fishing scenes with the deers on the walls symbolizing Christ. Also gone from the Palace is the original Popes' furniture, sold in the late 19th Century after the French Revolution. Nevertheless, a walk through the amazing structure, with its towering ceilings and room-after-room of living space, is more than worth the visit.
After touring the Pope's Palace, Avignon itself deserves a tour. Avignon is surrounded by walls constructed during the reign of Pope Innoncent VI, also in the 14th Century. In June and July, the international theater here attracts 60,000 people. Avignon offers a plethora of outdoor cafes and restaurants, and shops galore famous for table linens, French soaps, and other items unique to Provence. Before moving on, dine here in one of the many fine offerings and simply watch the scenes unfold around you. For budget conscience travels, find a cafe that offers carry out, choose one of the many delicious sandwiches available on a French beget, and park yourself on a bench or under a tree to enjoy simply being in this ancient city.
Once you are ready to leave Avignon, a short ride will take you to the famous wine-growing region of Chateauneuf-du-Pope. The region served as the summer residence for the second French Pope, John XXII, which led to its name. There are 220 winery owners in Chateauneuf-du-Pope. The average vineyard size here is 20 hectares, and all of Chateauneuf-du-Pope combined comprises 3,200 hectares (approximately 780 acres). The wine production in the region consists of 90% red wines and 10% white wines. The vineyards' soil is covered completely with rocks; these rocks take the heat of the sun during the day and return it to the vines at night. The grapes are all picked by hand, one of the many rules that govern the production of wines in the Chateauneuf-du-Pope region.
There are many fine wineries to visit in the region. All offer stunning vistas overlooking the rolling hills of this beautiful countryside. We visited Mousett, a very old winery in the region. Its grounds and structure offer a uniquely French experience, with a large onsite tasting bar. Here, we tasted five of the winery's excellent offerings, along with a selection of light foods and olives, another major commodity of Provence.
When the day was over and we returned to the ship, we all felt like we had gotten a true taste of Provence, and look forward to our visit here next year. If you would like to join us on next year's wine cruise aboard the River Royale of Uniworld along the Rhone River, please click here for information. Then give us a call for additional information.
